If a dude named Black Wolf is a lead singer, your sound better be some real ish. And if, on top of that, the band hails from the soul music capital of the world… Milwaukee, Wisconsin — alright, alright, but seriously: Black Wolf.
And it is some ish. Damn your feet if they don’t start shuffling and your hips if they don’t start shaking to Kings Go Forth’s sound. The 10-piece band (two lead singers, a backup, bass, guitar, drums, congas, trumpet, trombone) can downright get down and ’ll tug you along with them until you follow for yourself, running. So you might as well damn your feet if they can’t move quick, too.
The drums on the band’s April album from Luaka Bop, The Outsiders are Back, often edge the music to nearly breathless — like the break-beats might break down and trip you at anytime. The horns are tight, some spike for your behind. The congas’ tickling make you realize how much you miss them. And the bass bumps its thumping ass right up next to the drums in the rhythm section’s forefront — hello, hip-hop era.
The rhythm section pushes you forward, but it’s the singers’ melodies grasping your hand. When Wolf’s spine arcs to hit the high ones, his African garb creases, his dreadlocks rattle and his paintbrush mustache’s bristles shiver in that sort of way that shows he just felt something. (Your own spine might mimic.) Apparently, they’ve got some occasional pitch problems—so if you’ve got some sensitive ears, well, damn. But really singing cracks your voice; it’s that passion breaking through.
“One Day” and “Don’t Take My Shadow” have been the showcased cuts. But to give your feet and hips a head’s up, you could also check out “I Don’t Love You Know More.” And when taking a breath on “Paradise Lost,” listen for the Wolf’s “hey hey hey-e-yeah-yeah” to learn why he deserves his dope name.
[Quick post script: Milwaukee apparently produced some truly soulful records in the days; they just didn’t have the reach of the tracks from the soul capitals.]
Bonus: Download a free Kings Go Forth performance, courtesy of NPR Music.
(Photo: Kings Go Forth's Facebook)
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