DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS レコード& CD

Review: Durand Jones & The Indications, a soulful trio hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, have quietly honed their craft over the last decade. What began in the basement of Indiana University in 2012 has evolved into a global phenomenon, with Durand Jones (vocals), Aaron Frazer (drums/vocals) and Blake Rhein (guitar) leading the charge. Rooted in gritty funk and soulful disco, the band's early sound was shaped by a raw, analog approachirecorded on a Tascam four-track tape machine, capturing an unpolished energy that has remained central to their appeal. While their music has grown more sophisticated with time, that authenticity and collaborative spirit still runs deep. Their connection, both as musicians and friends, is the foundation of their success. The trio's latest work speaks to their maturation, both personally and professionally. It's a celebration of what they've learned, of coming full circle and of embracing the complexity of life, love and growth. Each member's solo projectsiJones's 2023 debut, Frazer's 2024 follow-up, and Rhein's work as Patchwork Inc.ihave expanded their creative range, but together, they remain a force, distilling their diverse influences into something undeniably their own. With a sound that continues to evolve, Durand Jones & The Indications have struck a balance between the personal and the universal, producing music that resonates across cultures and generations. Their live shows, now spanning continents, highlight the unbroken rapport with their fans as they maintain the visceral intensity of their nascent basement sessions.

Review: Durand Jones, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein return with Flowers, their fourth album, revisiting the same raw, budding energy that first plotted them together in a Bloomington basement. Embracing a back-to-basics approach, and echoing the collaborative spirit of their 2016 debut, this self-produced LP took shape at Rhein's Chicago home studio, with many tunes edified from one-take demos, capturing a no-frills but beautifully petaled synergy between the trio. Flowers' 11 phases lean into a refined, yet playful blend of soul-disco, exuding a smooth, homegrown, sexologic vibe, like an aphrodisiac planter hung from the dashboard as we embark on a late night drive. "All of these songs touch on such mature topics, things that we never got to sing about before," says Jones. A right blossoming indeed.

Review: Yet another killer 7" from Durand Jones & The Indicators for Colemine; here we've a premiere condensing of two of the star cuts from their most recent, eponymous record, also called Private Space. First we've of course 'Private Space', a string-laden, refractive meditation on longing, separation and inaccessibility; there is a sense of this feeling having been engendered involuntarily, as a result of separation, between lovers, as is so implied in Jones' devastatingly high vocals. Then the B-side boasts 'Sea Of Love', at which point it seems as though the floodgates of separation have been opened, the sluice of passion lowered; here an unstoppable of torrent of pianified disco-soul opens into an amorous estuary of swing. But of course, there's no way an ocean can be privatised (we hope).

Review: Colemine Records very much transports us back to another time with this latest lovely offering. It is a deep dive into the work of sophisticated lounge-pop as might be played during dinner at a trendy society ball back in the 60s. It comes from Durand Jones and The Indications and one track off they third album Too Many Tears. It's is one of heartbreak and is lit up by the gorgeous falsetto of Aaron Frazrs on the A-side, who tells s tale of betrayal. On the flip is a sweet soul sound soaked up by new school fans with an alternative indie an experimental sound from Y La Bomba led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Luz Elena Mendoza.

Review: Featuring two tracks that from Durand Jones & The Indications' third LP, this new 45 is a honeyed slice of retro-soul with pop leanings, as the band continues to mine the '60s and '70s for inspiration. Front to back, the record retains a healthy balance between the invention of new sounds and the sticking to strengths. The A-side 'Ride Or Die' casts the spotlight squarely on drummer Aaron Frazer, who also just so happens to have one of Earth's silkiest falsettos, while Jones' vocals lead the way through the sultry 'More Than Ever’.

Review: Durand Jones & The Indications earned lavish praise for their eponymous 2016 debut album, with critics comparing it favourably to conscious soul sets of the 1970s from the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. This belated follow up is, if anything, even better, with the group's core offering - tight instrumentation and super-smooth vocals from the hugely talented Jones and drummer Aaron Frazer - being complemented by silky string arrangements, warm brass and lyrics that flit between social commentary and glassy-eyed, loved-up bliss. Highlights include "Morning In America" - a kind of 2019 update to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" - the super-sweet vocal harmonies of "Don't You Know" and "Long Way Home", a lilting look at homesickness blessed with the twin attractions of swooping strings and a killer bassline.

Review: Durand Jones & The Indications earned lavish praise for their eponymous 2016 debut album, with critics comparing it favourably to conscious soul sets of the 1970s from the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. This belated follow up is, if anything, even better, with the group's core offering - tight instrumentation and super-smooth vocals from the hugely talented Jones and drummer Aaron Frazer - being complemented by silky string arrangements, warm brass and lyrics that flit between social commentary and glassy-eyed, loved-up bliss. Highlights include "Morning In America" - a kind of 2019 update to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" - the super-sweet vocal harmonies of "Don't You Know" and "Long Way Home", a lilting look at homesickness blessed with the twin attractions of swooping strings and a killer bassline.

Review: Authentic soul business from Bloomington newbies The Indications brought to you by the good people at Colemine Records. Teaming up with Durand Jones for the A-side, "Smile" is a powerful preachy cut that digs deep into the classic funk mentality while sitting neatly upside the grills of Aloe Blacc or Gnarls Barkley. "Tuck N Roll", meanwhile, is a Meters-level slice of smouldering instrumental funk with big cymbal splashes and a blissful balance of Rhodes and guitar. Spotless.