Kings & Associates – Back from the Dead (2022)
Kings & Associates are bringing a funky rock sound to our ears with their ‘post-Covid’ revival tune ‘Back from the Dead’. A groovy love song, it is actually one that they have played live for a number of years, but only recorded it as part of their upcoming Neighbour album. While the band didn’t originally plan to release this track as a single, the title felt apt for what many bands are going through right now.
Ben Cunningham (vocals, guitar), Angela Portolesi (backing vocals), Kelv Sugars (drums), Matt Williams (guitar), Stephen Portolesi (bass), Paul White (electric organ) and Louis Higuera (key) have been performing together in various forms for 15 years. Almost 7 years ago, they decided to come together for this blues band and have since released two albums, with a third on the way. They are now getting us excited for their next with this cover of a track written and recorded by the great Bobby Bryd.
‘Back from the Dead’ hits you with their funky blues sound from the first moment. It is like an electric surge rises through your body through the burst of instrumentation in the opening. This sinks into a really groovy flow that has you bopping to the rhythm. It is infectious from the first hook to the very last note. The organ fills the low levels with a rich electric tone, while the guitars twang over the tones, leading you into the vocals. As you listen to the melody, there are these little touches from each instrument that really make the single a pleasure to listen to. Each member of the band has a chance to shine and bring their own flair to the track. The solos for each instrument are a pleasure to listen to and will have you getting down to their groove before you even realise what has happened. There is a light touch of something retro familiar, but this has been woven into something that is unique to this band.
Riding the infectious wave of the melody, Cunningham’s vocals bring a splash of soul rock to your senses. His voice has this almost punch soul flow that bounces off the movement of the melody. As his performance curls around the music, he enhances the grooving movement of the single, making you want to move even more. The lyrics are a fantastic love song that highlights how the love of one person can seem to bring you back from the dead. While this is a cover, there is something about the performance that is wonderfully unique. You can hear an edge of the original woven into the track, but this is taken to a modern high by the musicality of the band.
With an infectious funky blues flow, Kings & Associates have you grooving to their music and feeling the revitalising energy of love in ‘Back from the Dead’. This song is a punch of soul rock, blues and funk that you are not going to forget anytime soon. From start to finish, the single has you hooked to the band’s sound and seriously leaves you yearning for more.
Find out more about Kings & Associates on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
