Delta Nove: The Future Is When

Don’t expect Delta Nove to describe their sound. They won’t and you would have a hard time telling anyone what it is, aside from muttering, “Hell, listen to it yourself.” But it’s my job to tell you something about it. So here goes. The album is a mix of groove, funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae and world judging by the feel-good “Get on Down”, which should encourage some spliff rolling. More funk than jam initially, the band gets rolling again with the Kingston-flavored, horn-accented “Hard Times” that is comparable to Canadian act Bedouin Soundclash, while “Frog N’ Toad” offers a Motown-influenced Sublime-meets-Zappa vibe. Then the percussion-driven, Southern-fried “Maraca Eu (Maraca Tu)” gets the groove going again. Musically they push themselves to the brink, with the Latin, Santana-ish “Giacomo” being a fine, winding and warm island instrumental romp. But “Don’t Burn the Beans” is a forgettable, messy attempt at New Orleans swing. “Bongo Bong” redeems the band again with a light, airy, Marley hue that gallops into a dance-inducing ska beat.