After almost a year of silence from Mamas Gun, they are back just in time to provide a soundtrack to many a summer’s afternoon.  One of the UKs best kept secrets (although the secret is lose in Japan apparently) the funk/soul band’s new album Life & Soul is released on June 6^th.

Going by the first single, On A String, (released May 2^nd – video below) the album picks up where Roots to Riches left off with a heavy retro feel, laced with the bands own brand of funk.  The retro feel looks to be apparent throughout as one of the songs on the record, Only One, featuring Beverley Knight (I say featuring it’s more of a duet really) is so good it’s like it was plucked from Berry Gorde’s secret record collection.

The best news about the album release is a tour to accompany the launch.  The all important (to me) London show on their tour is on Tuesday June 14^th and takes place at Dingwalls, Camden.  Tickets are an absolute bargain at £11 (+ fees) and available direct from the venue (here).

Other dates in their whistle-stop tour see Mamas Gun visiting; Brighton (Komedia – 15^th June), Bristol (Thekla – 16^th June), Nottingham (Bodega Social – 23^th June) and Manchester (Band on the Wall – 24^th June).

My last attempt to see Mamas Gun just before Xmas was scuppered by the snow.  Hopefully there will be no blizzards in June to prevent from seeing what will no doubt be one of the year’s giggin’ highlights.  Heavy rain, or glorious sunshine… doesn’t matter because summer is starting to look a whole lot better.  Now lets just hope Beverley Knight just happens to be hanging around in Camden on June 14^th!

Rob