Speedometer – Our Kind Of Movement | Album of the day 6th April 2020

UK funkers Speedometer’s 5th studio album comes 17 years since their debut and they’ve matured into leaders in the field, on a par with The New Mastersounds. ‘Our Kind Of Movement’ kicks off with the moody, soulful ‘We Gave Up Too Soon’ – a dark edged, instant dancefloor winner – the syncopated Afrobeat ‘Abuja Sunrise’ has an urgent rhythm with parping sax and soaring horns driving things along while the Indo-funk ‘Kashmir’ has Dave Pike feels. ‘Let’s Start A Movement’ brings to mind ‘California Soul’ in parts on a mid tempo soul effort while the New Orleans flavoured organ screamer ‘Mo Crunch’ brings us back to their beginnings and their love of The Meters’ : an infectious funker that bubbles along thanks to the insistent, bouncing bass. The superb, jazzy ‘Mind Escape’ has a late 60s Brit soundtrack feel to it, ‘Time To Slow It Down’ also harks back to their earlier funk sound while the uptempo stomper ‘All In’ is another sure fire dancefloor winner. Also check the cinematic funk of ‘Funky Amigo’ for some 1970s desert car chase action. Exceptional album that cements Speedometer as one of the most consistent and inventive groups around.