Crack of Dawn show no signs of slowing down over 40 years into their illustrious musical career, releasing “Ol’ Skool”, a swooningly gorgeous nod to not only their soul-funk past but to their place at the throne of current-day smooth RnB. Crack of Dawn have been one of Canada’s greatest musical success stories, combining Charles Sinclair’s bass-rumbling funkalicious Parliament onslaught; the slick immediate joy of Earth, Wind and Fire and the tarmac-melting glory of their oozing, classic deep soul ballads. “Ol’ Skool” is as fresh and vital as any releases during Crack of Dawn’s career and is destined to appeal to not only their legions of existing fans but a whole new audience ready for a REAL soul band who play REAL music.
They were the first black band to be signed to a major label (CBS), were discovered by Otis Redding’s producer and outsold their contemporaries, Earth, Wind and Fire in Canada. Despite being tipped for even bigger things by Billboard in the USA, all has been eerily quiet for some time…until now.
Reuniting to re-record some of their classic songs for a new generation and long-time fans, as well as new material, such as their breakout single, “Spotlight”, the album features a breath-taking combination of grindingly deep funk (“Booby Ruby”); guitar and horn-led sunshine soul (“Crack of Dawn”); the wah-wah-drenched glory of “Somebody’s Watching You” and their latest single, the uplifting, back to the future jazz-soul of “Ol’ Skool”. In all, the ten tracks featured rival any of the classic 70s soul and funk outfits, yet still bring a freshness and vitality to the songs that others can only stand back and envy.
