The Allergies - Tear The Place Up (Jalapeno 
Records)
Release Date: Out Now
Apologies all round but I've been sat on this one for too long and that's just wrong because this album deserves to be out there in the wide, wide world. Whether you're initiated in to the world of the Allergies or not, you can rest assured that this is an album that everyone can enjoy so come on and let's dive in to 'Tear The Place Up', shall we? Fittingly, we get underway with 'Green Light Go!' featuring regular contributor Andy Cooper on vocals providing the smooth flow to the retro funk vibes getting your head bobbing and feet tapping. 'Mash Up The Sound' has an island energy to the scratchy guitars and pinging percussion while recent single 'Stanky Funk' brings Bootie Brown along for the ride on a song that has the horn in every sense.
Album title track 'Tear The Place Up' has a frantic energy like a swarm of bees stuck inside a recording studio whereas 'Hypnotise' is far more laid back but that funky groove is still there to keep the party moving. Charles Morgan brings the Motown soul on 'Reconcile' with the kind of vocals that could start a revolution or at the very least make you take your shirt off on the dance floor and, either way, I'm in. 'Never Gonna Let Go' brings the latin vibes with some excellent cuica and horn combinations and if your hips aren't swaying by the end of this one then you need to drink a little more and loosen up. 'Interpretacion de Mama' is a brilliant piece of spoken word where the mother of guest vocalist Marietta Smith explains the lyrics of album highlight 'Vamonos' which will have you heading straight to your nearest travel agent with a passport and carry-on case, ready to sway in the tropical sunshine.
On 'Sometimes I Wonder' the vibe takes a step back with chilled grooves, lavish organs and the kind of beat that babies are made to. Smith and Cooper are back to share vocal duties on 'Push Right Through', another slice of funk deep in a heavy groove before penultimate track 'Treat You Right' shudders and swaggers through the club with a real sense of barely controlled cool, never spilling a drop. The album closes out on the horn heavy 'Take Another Look At It', the perfect tune to leave it all out on the dance floor to. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Allergies really ought to be gracing bigger stages at bigger events in front of bigger audiences. In the meantime, however, for anyone lucky to be at an Allergies show this summer I have one word of advice for you; dance. Dance you beautiful, funky bastards.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/theallergies
Live Dates:
3rd June - The Old Market, Brighton
22nd June - The Blues Kitchen, Manchester (Sold Out)
23rd June - Future Yard, Liverpool
24th June - The Night Owl, Birmingham
30th June - McCullis, Glasgow
1st July - The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh
2nd August - The Blues Kitchen, Manchester
3rd August - The Cluny, Newcastle
11th August - The Jazz Cafe, London