Diplomats of Solid Sound – Instrumental Action Soul

Reviving the lightly funky but deeply soulful instrumental R&B sound of Booker T and the MG's and The Meters, The Diplomats of Solid Sound not only prove that there's still a place of the mighty Hammond Organ in 21st Century pop music, but confirms the existence of dance-floor filling soul music in Iowa City, Iowa. The Diplomats of Solid Sound originally formed in 1998 as a side project of retro-rockers The Bent Scepters, with three members of the Scepters — bassist Dustin Connor, guitarist Doug Roberson, and drummer Jim Viner — teaming up with keyboardist Pat White. After the Bent Scepters called it a day in 1999, Connor, Roberson and Viner decided to continue performing as The Diplomats of Solid Sound, and replaced White with Nate "Count" Basinger, though White occasionally guested on the band's recordings. The group cut their first single, "Bullfrog Boogaloo", in 2001, and released their first album, Instrumental Action Soul, on their own label, Presecription Records. In the summer of 2002, The Diplomats of Solid Sound released a single through premier garage rock label Estrus Records, and Estrus signed on to release the band's second full-length release, Let's Cool One, a year later. The group's third album, 2005's Destination ... Get Down, marked their first recordings with new member David Basinger, who plays alto and baritone sax. Mark Hemmings

1. Hugh's Hefner 2. Cookie Time 3. Willie's Theme 4. Bullfrog Bugaloo
5. El Corazon Negro 6. Chinese Connection 7. Stoned Preacher 8. Hot Stick
9. Soul Slaw 10. Mobley Turnaround 11. Tennessee Toothpick 12. Soul Beat Pt 2
13. The Men From S.C.E.P.T.E.R. Theme

inst

Check out our archives for 2 more of these fantabulous folks. One shot party or the beginnings of a serious road trip. Groovilicious times guatanteed.