The RainDoggs, hailing from Austin (USA) is the brainchild of a group of talented and experienced local musicians led by Rob Porta (former member of NY hardcore band Beyond).

In “Red to Black” , the band is backing the bluesy, warm and bright vocals of singer Ali Holder, delivering a cocktail of soul, motown, funk and jazz, with even some influences from country and folk.

Opening with brass instrument, tremolo guitars and funky accents, Stuck in RED offers a chill-out, somehow retro vibe that will remain here during the whole album.

Be My Man follows right next,  blinking an eye to the late 60s – early 70s funk sounds, reminding the work of legendary James Brown very closely, still keeping the band’s signature vibe intact: an eclectic bunch, that showcases different directions almost on every track, especially on the peculiar country-jazz bash “Shake your bum”, the vintage atmosphere of “Ain’t The Madonna, Ain’t your whore” and the RnB twist, But you’re mine.

Once I through I had figured out the dynamics of this records, another couple of songs bring more to the table: a rock element, in the shape of the electric guitar riffs of “Does she do you right” and electronic in the melancholic ballad “Daddy may I”.

The last 5 songs of this album seem to sort of differ from the first – more eclectic -half of the recording, mostly focusing on the band’s more soul-funk side for numbers like “What have you done”,  (featuring trumpet riffs a la Morricone) , Was it necessary (featuring hints of fusion) and the beautiful dialogues of the piano and the tremolo guitar in “Black”, topped by an excellent sax work.

Despite “Red to Black” is shaped by so many different music influences, the tracklist flows smoothly and all the music is glued together by the very suiting vocals by Ali, which stamps a very well recognizable  watermark on every tune, that joined with the musicianship and experience of every single member of the band and with the nice, sober production work – with an eye looking back and another looking forward.