Slim Jenkins - Lamp Down Low
When you hear Voodoo Blues and Dark Swing, what do you think of? I’m sure many things but just to stay on topic, I think of San Francisco’s Slim Jenkins. I’ve been listening to these guys for a while and have caught them live a few times. They just released their newest album ‘Lamp Down Low’. So grab a scotch, sit back and let’s talk about it, shall we?
The opening track “Jet Settin’ Girl” gets to the point and by that I mean it’s going to get you off your feet and snapping your fingers. It’s a swing jazzy number and a great way to start things off. The next song “Cheating Heart” opens up very jazzy and for some reason I’m thinking of someone walking down a dark alley at night. Now is that a compliment? Yes it is, because this song has atmosphere. We continue on to “Six Feet Deep Or Mexico”, a latin-flavored swing number that will have you swing dancing and doing the salsa at the same time, especially if you’re drunk enough, or even sober. If you’re not exhausted yet, “Buttermilk” will keep you dancing, opens with a very gypsy-jazzy quick intro right into Slim Jenkin’s dirty swing sound. The instruments really shine in this song, I mean they shine on every song, but this one especially as everyone gets a little solo here and there. Speaking of instruments, we move on to “Mad Dog”, an instrumental where the entire band gets to be in the spotlight as Justin Oliver takes a break and Felix McNee’s drumming is in the forefront. Closing out the album is the song “Down In Heaven”, opening with a moody bass lick by Timothy Vickers. Then we’re hit with Byron Burchard’s sax as it creeps up on you. Joel Martinez’s plays a bluesy guitar solo, something you rarely hear in swing music these days and I like it. This is a solid album of six songs that will transport you back in time with a sharp suit, a drink in your hand and possibly a dame with a gun pointing at your heart.
Whether Slim Jenkins is playing at a Las Vegas casino, a dive bar in Marin County, or outside in front of hundreds of swing dancers at Union Square, San Francisco’s Slim Jenkins know how to get the place moving on their feet and ‘Lamp Down Low’ will have you dancing in your living room with these six songs of Voodoo Blues and Dirty Swing!
Make sure to catch Slim Jenkins at a show near you and pick up ‘Lamp Down Low’ while you're at it.
Photos from their show at Swing in the Square in San Francisco
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