Can you dig it?

You've heard of the Budos Band. You just don't know it. Perhaps you're familiar with Black Eyed Peas' "Imma Be," which sampled the band's "Ride or Ride." Or maybe you've heard Wale's Mixtape About Nothing, which lifted the beat for "The Chicago Falcon (Remix)" from the opening track of The Budos Band II. Blending jazz, funk, afrobeat, and the sound of the 1970s blaxploitation film into a nostalgic retro style, the Staten Island-based collective evokes Super Fly and Shaft so authentically that I thought I was listening to an obscure '70s band, rather than an alive-and-well group that's only been together since 2005.

Now, don't misconstrue my words. Just because the Budos Band is making music characteristic of four decades ago doesn't mean that they're retracing steps on well-trod ground; rather, these musicians are fusing the aforementioned genres into something new, something fresh. And as you can see in the picture above, there's a lot of people in Budos. They combine their efforts to yield groovy syncopation, subtle melodies, sultry horn lines, and countless other musical ingredients that ultimately create a dense sound that rewards repeat listens, as there's simply too many elements demanding interest for the ear to process it all at once.

Golden Dunes [alt]
Chicago Falcon [alt]
Ride or Die [alt]