Six years on from their first compilation, Daptone Records have returned with a second instalment, Daptone Gold II. If you’re familiar with their first treasure-trove collection of modern soul gems, you’ll know exactly you’re in for. As with the first, Daptone II acts as a vignette of a record label that has painstakingly and prolifically been at the forefront of a soul revival since 2002.
With an all-star roster including Sharon Jones, The Budos Band, The Sugarman 3 and Charles Bradley, it’d be close to impossible for Daptone Gold II to take a misstep. By faithfully recreating ’60s and ’70s production, the Daptone sound has inadvertently come to rival the original sounds of Stax, Motown and Hi – the iconic labels that provide so much of the label’s inspiration. Curating well known tracks alongside deeper cuts, the compilation is a fine introduction for newcomers, as well as a lovingly-crafted, celebratory mixtape for long time fans.
Arguably the label’s biggest name, Sharon Jones features heavily on Daptone Gold. Her timeless, masterful vocals appear on the modern classic I Learned The Hard Way, the sunny Inspiration Information and Retreat!. She’s backed by Daptone’s de facto house band, The Dap-Kings, who lay down undeniably tight grooves with reverent accuracy. At its best, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ work stands up next to numerous top tier releases from the Memphis soul era.
Elsewhere, The Budos Band stake their claim with Unbroken, Unshaven, and Aphasia all locking into place with infectious rhythms and entrancing horns; Charles Bradley drops by to ooze soul across the sultry and heartfelt Luv Jones (backed by LaRose Jackson); while The Como Mamas switch things up with hard hitting, old-school soul on Out of the Wilderness.
Daptone Gold II is another comprehensive depiction of one the most consistently great record labels of the 21st century, who continue to mine and preserve the best of the past.
BY JAMES DI FABRIZIO
