Mamas Gun - Routes To Riches Album Review

Review of Mamas Gun's album Routes To Riches

5 piece Mamas Gun hail from London and release their debut album 'Routes To Riches'. Andy Platts is the main man in the band who sings and writes with sweet soul. Spotted as a talent Andy won a scholarship to the prestigious LIPA Mcartney institute in Liverpool and developed his song writing talent. Indeed he's worked with a plethora of fantastic musicians and masterminds behind the likes of King Britt to Gil Scott Heron, The Average White Band and performed on Corinne Bailey Rae's multi platinum debut album.

Indeed the grooming has been great and you'd expect 'Routes To Riches' to be stand out. It shows promise with a range of skills and diversity however for me the first half is weaker than the second half of the album and kinda' lets it down for me. Don't get me wrong there's good moments that show soulful conviction, talent and well produced music however it's all a bit safe and destined for the pop market. There's no real danger or genuine original sounds coming through yet it does have definite commercial appeal. 'Pot's Of Gold' is well sung and was successful in the Radio 2 chart on release.

It's from 'Bitch' that for me 'Routes To Riches' gets a bit more dirty and meaningful in the funk sense. The influences have more punch to it from the likes of Earth Wind and Fire and 80's soul. However 'Bitch' does sound very much like Jamiroquai and 'Miracle' sounds very much like Lenny Kravitz so possibly lacking originality yet they are well done and stand up with those successful artists.

Mamas Gun could be happy with this album. It has lots of promise to sell well and highlights the talent of Andy Platts. However for me personally I don't know if I'd listen to this very often. As someone who's a lover of funk and soul music there's nothing too pimp or hard hitting to make me swing or evolve. Perhaps it's a tad unfair as it could appeal to many but I'm not hearing the soul of D'Angelo, the pain of Gil Scott Heron or smoothness of Omar and I reckon Mamas Gun could of had it all if the album hadn't gone so pop. I guess that's what I like but that's the soul that will stand the test of time I'm not sure that 'Routes To Riches' will. Not a bad debut though.

Tareck Ghoneim