09 November 2010 | 11:47 AM
Fat Freddy's Drop - 'Live at Roundhouse London'

Music fans will find no better groove-a-thon/dance-floor-filler in 2010 than this live album from New Zealand jam masters Fat Freddy’s  Drop. The record chronicles the final concert of the Kiwi octet’s six-week 2008 European tour. And live is where this group thrives.

Featuring only six songs, with the shortest clocking in at 10 minutes, this lengthy jam is highlighted by the band’s unique blend of Afro-Beat, reggae, ska, ’70s American soul/funk, salsa and dub beats. The group’s mainly Maori musicians are led by Samoan DJ/effects master Chris Faiumu (aka DJ Fitchie), who mixes the band’s output on the spot with ambient sounds, turntable rhythms and effects into the roiling rock steady beats.

Songs unravel at their own pace as each tune is pushed by keyboards, guitars, drums and a three-man horn section while vocalist Dallas Tamaira oozes his smooth soul-inflected voice through each swelling, building groove.

For an instant party of worldwide dimensions, Fat Freddy knows how to drop the beats.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Tracks to download  “The Camel,” “The Raft”

Buy "Live at Roundhouse" in MP3 format (Link goes to Amazon.com)