After losing steam toward the end of his major-label run,
G. Love
seems to have gotten his groove back at his new home on
Jack Johnson
's
Brushfire
label.
Lemonade
picks up where
The Hustle
left off, offering up
's eclectic mix of bluesy grooves,
rap
, and even some
psychedelic
touches. He's been doing it for years with his
Special Sauce
pals, but like
, a good number of added players really help broaden the sound of the album. This time out, Hammond organs, piano, and Wurlitzer all add depth to the sound, while the guest shots add some variety without sounding like a marketing ploy.
"Ride"
starts things out with a great groove.
"Ain't That Right"
is more
-oriented, but the
production flourishes take it to another place.
"Hot Cookin"
is on the mellow side, with great Hammond organ and a big fat acoustic bass tone.
David Hidalgo
adds some nice viola to
"Missing My Baby"
's easy groove, while
"Holla!"
adds some funky Clavinet and cops the chorus from
"Jack & Diane."
Blackalicious
and
Jasper
's shots put
's rapping skills into perspective, and the duets with
Tristan Prettyman
are both album highlights. The album winds down nicely with the mellow
"Breakin' Up"
going solo acoustic on
"Still Hangin' Around."
After more than a decade in the biz,
seems comfortable at his new indie home and
finds him playing to his strengths. Still hangin' around, indeed. ~ Sean Westergaard