Dames Brown - Take Me As I Am

Introducing Dames Brown; What Would You Do?; You’re The One For Me ; Glory; Take Me As I Am; What Up Doc; Do It; Who Do You (Think You Are?); Provider; Introducing Part 2; Sweat; This Time; Why You Got Me Crazy (Walk Away); Ova

(Defected)

Dames Brown is a three-piece Detroit powerhouse vocal group who bring their version of funk, soul and gospel to the masses on this, their debut album.

The late Detroit musician and producer Amp Fiddler produced the album, who was renowned for deep and funky grooves.

With the name a play on James Brown, the 'Godfather of Soul', the first two opening tracks on the album do owe a huge debt to Brown, who was also a pioneer in funk music, with both tracks laying down a funky groove.

The first surprise comes courtesy of a cover of the D Train classic, You’re The One For Me, though in essence the song was always a funk-infused number brought up to date with Dames Brown respectfully giving their own take on the track.

No one could accuse the three ladies of Dames Brown of being a one-trick pony as Glory brings to the fore their gospel roots as they raise their hands in the air in a celebratory mood.

The one track that stands out above the others is Who Do You (Think You Are?), if you didn't know you were hearing Dames Brown, the natural answer would be Lizzo. Authoritative, assertive and assured with an infectious melody, the three ladies need more songs as strong as this in their catalogue if they want to cross over to the masses.

Elsewhere, Introducing Part 2 continues on the James Brown tip on a track that is more of a funk workout than an actual song. Why You Got Me Crazy (Walk Away) comes with a house music groove on a track that sounds completely different from anything else on offer here before Ova closes the album with a track that again owes more to Chicago, with the house influences here being more prominent than the funk of Detroit.

Dames Brown was probably the last project Amp Fiddler worked his magic upon; if it was, then this accomplished album is a fine one to bow out on.