The long awaited debut album from the Melbourne 10 piece Boogie / Funk outfit Mondo Freaks is ready for the world, following on from the very warmly received ‘Bells Are Ringing’ EP in April and the on point singles “I’m A Fool” and “Won’t You Decide”.
Formed by the rhythm section of in demand session bassist Luke Hodgson and drummer Graeme Pogson (GL, The Bamboos) who were also both long time players with Harvey Sutherland, Mondo Freaks are the next artist ready to break out internationally from the world renowned Melbourne Soul scene, which has acts currently riding high like Hiatus Kaiyote and Surprise Chef.
Inspired by the crisp Funk and R’n’B sounds of the late ’70s and early ’80s as it eased out of Disco, Mondo Freaks stand apart with their live instrumentation and a focus on vocals and great songwriting. Creating something beyond just instrumental grooves their sound transcends mere homage and without any knowing winks, Mondo Freaks breathe life into a timeless sound and make it feel more relevant than ever.
The self titled album was mixed by multi Grammy winner Michael Brauer who is known for working on recordings by the likes of Coldplay, Springsteen, Dylan, McCartney and Rolling Stones. But Mondos reminded him of the Rn’B records he started out working on in the late ’70s / early ’80s, which had huge influences on the band such as Change, B.B. & Q. Band, Was (Not Was), Gwen Guthrie, Grace Jones, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Pleasure, Cheryl Lynn, Cerrone, Jones Girls, Kid Creole, Teddy Pendegrass, Morris Day and many more.
Gathering some of the finest musicians from Melbourne’s Soul scene, the band include a roster of five incredible vocalists including Jade MacRae, Susie Goble, Francisco Tavares, Aaron Mendoza and Jason Heerah.
Mendoza (formerly from world renowned Melbourne act Electric Empire) adds his sweet vocals to “Won’t You Decide” while Tavares “stretches it like elastic” on the Cameo-esque Funk track “Pumped!”. Jade MacRae shows why she is one of Australia’s best Soul voices of the last decade with her lead vocals across six of the album’s tracks.
Formed originally as a concept band, equipped with an ever-evolving setlist of late ’70s and early ’80s Funk classics, their journey has seen them invited to be the backing band for the Australian tours of such US Soul Music luminaries as Leroy Burgess (the producer and artist behind Boogie and Disco favourites Black Ivory, Logg, Aleem, Inner Life, and Universal Robot Band) and the iconic Evelyn “Champagne” King.
