The Crossing

This record instantly became one of my favourites in my collection. It is amazing that people are still making music like this. The compositions are utterly brilliant and the fact that most are credited to the whole band really tells you something. The musicianship is simply superb and the mastering is excellent. Bright, warm, and well balanced, it feels like the band is right in the room with you. If you like soul, funk, or jazz, if you miss Curtis Mayfield and that full band sound, this record will make you believe that there is still hope for the future of music.

Love this group. Wonderful ablum an musicians, with sweet grooves on each track. The only issue I've found so far is that my record player doesn't automatically play it as it will with my other lps. Just hafta nudge it a bit to get the tunes going.

Man I love Menahan Street Band. No one else has a sound quite like theirs. Just the right amount of funk, soul, afro-beat, hip hop, etc. I think i like this album even better than their first, Make the Road by Walking, which was an awesome album. "Bullet for the Bagman" may be one of the coolest songs I've heard on any Daptone release. Makes me think of a stylish Sergio Leone western or something. Definitely a great addition to your collection, whether you're a fan of the Daptone style funk/soul or just good music in general.

My pick for the best soul record of the 21st century. That's not hyperbole; in fact, it might be selling it short.

Great album & a great label, look forward to many more from Daptone.

Urban cinematic r&b jazzy brassy atmoshperic and downright sumptuous. Any questions? Highly recommended and a rare 5 stars from me.

This is the second CD I've bought by Menahan Street Band and it's another very impressive set of instrumentals. Produced by Daptone guru Thomas Brenneck, who is also a member of the band (almost a one-man-band himself, playing guitar, bass, ukulele, electric piano, etc.), the songs on here have a predictably retro vibe, evoking memories of soulful and funky 1970s film scores. The instrumentals have varied enough rhythms that it never gets too samey-sounding. When it's all over, you're ready to hear it all again. Very tasty stuff.As much as I love this music, these guys need to do something about the drab album covers. I realize that many people don't buy their CDs (even they are even buying those) in real shops nowadays, but I can't imagine a customer seeing this CD in the bins and being captivated by the bland cover or the thin packaging. But once you pull the CD out and play it .. it's pretty sizzling stuff!

After the excitement and beauty of their first effort this recording " The Crossing" is a real disappointment. About the only critique I had for their first disc was when the Street Band veered off into 60's cocktail jazz music.On this disc the slightly out of tune horn work ( a little Echo Plex saxophone would be nice like in John Klemmer 's " Waterfalls" ). But here, they strive too hard for creativity, which I actually applaud them for, but it shows through in the overall sound.The "Spaghetti Western" soundtracks were much more memorable than the Soundtrack sound herein.On one track the dominant sour organ sound makes me feel ill and there's too much of it. The vibes I love, if boldly accentuating the music but that doesn't happen here....but, it could. This is pleasant enough music generally but there is just nothing here to highly recommend it, it fails to awe or inspire and blandly skirts that blah Lounge Music domain again. My distinct impression is this disc will end up in obscurity as a rush project to follow their their extraordinary " Make The Road By Walking." p.s. Why was the percussionist/drummer relegated to such a subtle supporting role leaving the music so lifeless on this one,was he not feeling all that well?