If romance is dead, consider Lafayette & The Charlatones as the Dr Frankenstein of the soul. Their latest seminal single, Addicted to You, swings nostalgic fervency of the heartstrings right back around, delivering a track that wouldn’t sound out of place on a 50s jukebox in the corner of a dive bar or setting dancehalls alive with piano keys that hammer honky-tonk energy into jazz boogie rhythm.
With crooned vocals that almost lean into 50s rock stylings, Lafayette & The Charlatones defy modern jazz expectations; there’s no pretension here, only an invitation laced with a hint of raucous rebellion. Addicted to You beckons you to shed your inhibitions and wear your heart unapologetically on your sleeve, adopting the attire of a diehard romantic. If you’re tired of jazz being sterilised by gentrification and crave a glimpse of its beatnik glory days, hit play on this panoramic transcendence of pastiche.
Frontman Lafayette Ben-Charlatan, described as the mischievous progeny of Leon Russell, Leon Redbone, and Tom Waits, distils ragtime, jazz, and rhythm & blues into a spirited concoction. Backed by The Charlatones, including acclaimed trumpeter James Sherry, bassist Jeff Jacobs, and drummer Tim Kirk, the band continues to ignite the scene from Long Beach, California, to international acclaim.
Addicted to You is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Bandcamp.
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Review by Amelia Vandergast