Review: The California Honeydrops – Keep On Diggin’
The California Honeydrops – Keep On Diggin’
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Tubtone Records
Release: 2024
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
Years ago and by accident, I discovered the retrosoul outfit The California Honeydrops from Oakland, California. I particularly liked the fact that they could swing, jump and jive with only minimal means (e.g. using a one-string washbucket bass, the “soul tub”, at some point).
It is obvious each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite. Frontman Lech Wierzynski (voice, guitar, trumpet), drummer Benjamin Malament, Yanos “Johnny Bones” Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards and guitar and Beaumont Beaullieu on bass. The Drops are regularly accompanied by Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on saxophone and clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone and sousaphone (the sousaphone is an excellent replacement for a bass guitar or double bass, check out the footage on their website).
Mixing originals and classics, they honed the art of improvisation leading to completely abandoning the use of set lists. No two shows are ever the same. Off stage, their music has been streamed more than 200 million times and placed in a variety of TV and films.
This music makes one feel glad, it’s obvious that their message is to spark joy (or spread honey) through their soulful sounds and performances. They released numerous albums (too many to mention here) and have a busy touring schedule. They partner with local nonprofits based in each city on their tours to raise awareness and funds for organizations doing good work (ranging from art-based programs to youth centres to social justice initiatives and everything in between).
So, good music by good people. ‘Keep On Diggin’ is just another testimony of their excellence. Ten soulful song that spark joy and just makes one feel glad all over.
Just lovely. Let’s all fall in love with the soul of The California Honeydrops!
Tracks:
01. Good Enough
02. Lazy Sunday
03. See Me Cry
04. It’s Alright (But It Ain’t The Same)
05. Singing My Prayer
06. Keep On Diggin’
07. Only LOve
08. Lucky Man’s Happy Song
09. Fall In Love Again
10. Morning Song
Website: https://cahoneydrops.com/