Burnt Offering, the latest from New York based group The Budos Band, is a fascinating departure from what most people strive for in a recording. The band embraced the thick, Lo-Fi grunginess of 60’s era Blues and Rock albums, leaning heavily on fuzz boxes and echo to color the palate of the album.

The Budos Band is an instrumental group, who formed in 2005 under the Daptones label. They describe their music as “afro-soul,” drawn from Ethiopian roots with 60’s soul dripped on top. Burnt Offering marks the band’s fifth studio release, and their first in four years. It grooves.

The opening track, “Into The Fog”, opens with a fuzzed out drone coupled with plodding drums, leading you into something that almost feels hypnotic. The horns come in, the music swells, and we’re off! Big, bold horns come in blasts, working off the subtle interplay of bass and guitar melodies.

“The Sticks” immediately comes out with the bass swinging, and doesn’t let up, setting the backbone for the whole track. The horns and guitar growl angrily throughout, setting a hard edge to the song.

“Aphasia” and “Shattered Winds” are where the band really start to gel. Fat, gritty guitar solos, some smart use of atonal melodies, and some seriously funky horn work, the Budos really hit on a King Crimson meets Blood, Sweat, and Tears vibe that is exciting. My only complaint here is that “Shattered Winds” feels too short and underexplored. There’s a lot more that could have come out of it.

“Black Hills”, for vinyl listeners, ends the side. This is a song that simmers, long and slow. Sadly, it doesn’t reach it’s full potential. There are a few points where I wish the band explored the themes further. Overall, though, a fitting end to the side. It eases out softly, setting up the title track, “Burnt Offering” to blow you away, which it does.

In fact, the whole second half aims for this great spacey, psychedelic vibe, and just nails it. Just the right kind of creepy, brooding and dark. There’s a lot in “Burnt Offering” in particular that reminds me of the blues spiked sound of early Black Sabbath recordings, including the perfect amount of darkness.

“Trail Of Tears” is a lot slower than most of the record, rolling out the Hammond Organ and really setting a morbid feeling. There’s something just ever so slightly off-kilter about the way this is put together, and I mean that in the best way. The Budos have managed to create what seems like a very straight forward funk/soul tune while somehow managing to sneak in this strong feeling of dread. It’s a fascinating paradigm.

The final three tracks, “Magus Mountain”, “Tomahawk”, and “Turn And Burn” are easily the best on the album. “Magus Mountain” is raw and powerful, but totally natural. It sounds as though the band was jamming in the studio, and left the tape running. There’s something so powerfully organic and cohesive about it, and the ideas are all very well fleshed out. “Tomahawk” is far more danceable than “Magus Mountain”, but holds on to that raw power and grit, which translates exceptionally well to the overall feel of the tune.

“Turn And Burn” is a powerhouse. It’s deep, resonant, and mournful. The full might of the bands writing prowess is on display here. Patient and brooding, there’s a well of emotion poured into the music. The horns are practically pleading and begging, as if to say they aren’t ready to be done. More importantly, it’s the perfect album closer, as it absolutely leaves you wanting more.

There are multiple musical themes that are touched on throughout “Burnt Offering”, especially a sound I can best describe as “60’s Blaxploitation Soundtrack”, which makes for a fascinating listening experience, and a riveting one. Overall, this is a stellar record, and I highly recommend picking up a copy for your library, especially the gorgeous vinyl featuring the stunning artwork of the band’s drummer, Brian Profilio.

You can get more information about Budos Band, including tour dates and album purchases, via their official website.