New Orleans’ next generation of funky soul players is certainly proving the scene is alive and well this month. Court 13 Productions (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and the James Brown biopic have been casting local R&B and soul singers, while Louisiana horn players have been showing up on tours with some of the hottest rising bands (Like Big Sam with Tedeschi Trucks Band Saturday night). And this week, New Orleans based soul-jazz band Water Seed drops part two of their 2013 LP, Wonderlove, delivering their ability to “Show, Work and Prove” with this week’s “First Listen.”

Water Seed drops Wonderlove 2 today, OffBeat has a "First Listen" with "Show, Work and Prove."

Released this morning via iTunes, Amazon and the Water Seed Music site, Wonderlove 2 features 10 tracks of laid-back, in-the-pocket grooves that flirt, somehow innocently, with down-low funk. Songs like “NOLA Brown” bring undeniable Crescent City-style horns into the mix to remind us where these guys’ roots lie, but a few new guests show up on v.II as well, ushering in some fresh perspective. Richmond, VA artist and educator, Jon Bibbs lends his gospel-soul chops and acclaimed songwriting ability to “Build Me Up,” and old school hip-hop legend, Kev Choice brings some solid hip-hop lyricism to the track “Move On.”

Overall, the album — the follow-up of March’s Wonderlove 1 — possesses a balanced blend of hopeful, uptempo beats and thoughtful, emotional ballads while never falling out of the loungey groove Water Seed is known for. Cinese’s agile yet gentle flute skills in particular set their sound apart from many of the artists often dubbed “neo-soul” and calls to mind the feel of ’90s acid jazz group, Groove Collective. Coupled with Jeremi Crump’s warm, analog keys, and smooth female vocals on some of the more uptempo tracks on Wonderlove, Water Seed even dances on over to Brand New Heavies territory. Part contemporary jazz lounge, part funky New Orleans house party, the self-proclaimed “Future Funk Starz” are well on their way with their fourth full-length studio recording.

But don’t take our word for it, sample a taste of Wonderlove 2 with this week’s “First Listen” free download of the single “Work, Show and Prove” featuring young Atlanta prodigy, Dain Harris here on OffBeat.com until October 29. Simply press “play” below to stream, or click “download” to make the track yours to keep and play later.

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What’s more? Not only is OffBeat offering up this freeload this week, but you can also enter to win a pair of tickets to Water Seed’s live show on October 24 at Gasa Gasa. Rumor has it that Water Seed will soon be collaborating with new buzz band, Tank and the Bangas on some new recordings real soon. If the raw soul diva Tank’s surprise guest appearance with them at their record release party at their Blue Nile Frenchmen Street residency last weekend is any indication, then there may just be some surprises in store at this Thursday’s show.

OFFBEAT CONCERT TICKET GIVE-AWAY CONTEST
Simply complete the online form below and submit to enter.
Winners will be notified via Email by 3pm on Thursday, October 24.
Good Luck!

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