Album of the Week – ‘Stop Look Listen’ by Marta Ren and the Groovelvets

‘Stop Look Listen’ by Marta Ren and the Groovelvets is Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week.

The album is bursting at the seems with the hallmarks of the groups Soul and Funk counterparts of the 1960s, shaken up and revitalised by band leader Marta Ren on vocals. The album is a follow up to the groups funk-filled hit single ‘2 Kinds of Men’. Although Ren and the group kept fan’s waiting over three years for a  full body of work, the wait was well worth it. Across 11 tracks, the groups present a high octane and vintage funk soul drenched masterpiece, worthy of being being credited as an album of the year.  Ren’s vocal talents showcase an ability far beyond her years, unfazed by rhythmic, lyrical or melodic complexity, she effortlessly belts out hit after hit. For the most part, the album is high energy, with stand out singles such as ‘Don’t Look’, ‘I’m Not Your Regular Woman’ brilliantly showcasing the album’s hallmarks, catching toe-tapping riffs, bold and brassy horn lines and an engine room working overtime to support Ren’s vocals. We do see glimmers of the artist’s softer side, with tracks such as ‘So Long’ and ‘Smiling Faces’, the later being one of only few tracks to include backing vocals and a relatively bare instrumental accompaniment proving the Soprano has also got chops in her lower register and a less-known love for a Reggae groove. Not only does this album belong proudly amongst any music lovers personal library, it is imperative that you give the release a spin at full volume, at least once in your lifetime (maybe also invite the neighbours too!).