Terence Higgins’ collective Swampgrease II is aptly named. This is some slippery music, flowing but not overflowing in tight vamps that move in, out, and around many related musics. Right from the opening two cuts, Swampgrease takes it back to the 1970s with treated, voice-box-esque vocals repeating the opening track’s chorus of “Don’t Waste Your Time.” On the second one “Chariot”, keyboardist Nigel Hall sings “Come down sweet Chariot and let me ride” in a falsetto that recalls both 1970s funk/rhythm and blues kings Parliament and the song’s writer, George Duke. The vintage soul touches keep coming with more heavy clavinet backing up Nick Daniels singing “We’re Gonna Stank You Down” and Jon Cleary’s always great singing on “Soul 45.” There’s even some jazz fusion with spaced out minimoog and punchy horn charts near the middle of the record. Throughout all the songs, the band doesn’t miss a beat and hits in all the right places. Higgins’ drums are always right on and pushing the music. I just wish there was more of it. Higgins is one of the least heralded drummers in New Orleans despite the fact that anyone who has seen him with the Dirty Dozen or playing as a side man knows what a hard-hitting groove he plays. His rhythms start off a couple tunes before the band comes in on Rage til Sunrise, but he seems content to let the band have most of the spotlight. Even with that, this record is full of great sounds and slinky, funky rhythms.
