SHAWN LEE AND CLUTCHY HOPKINS

Clutch of the Tiger

2008-11-09

Multi-instrumentalist, Shawn Lee, uses many of the traditional folk and vintage instruments from his collection on this album. They lend an enigmatic air as it can at times be difficult to decipher exactly which instrument is being used. Adding to this ambiguous feeling is reclusive mystery man, Clutchy Hopkins. He and Shawn Lee had a chance meeting one day in a Mojave Desert gas station/thrift store. They hit it off and, by chance, exchanged musical ideas via cassette tapes. (For more on this story, and it is an interesting one, check out the website or the liner notes.) As far as the music itself, it's rock/funk/hip-hop with cool samples, break-beats and synths. The occasional addition of trumpet, flugelhorn, flute, clarinet, and some hot organ licks makes for a jazz-fusion sound. This is one cool groove of an album that is a bit more jazz-influenced (due to Clutchy, I presume) than Shawn Lee's previous work. Reviewed by Rebecca Ruth.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 08/2004

    Dayna Kurtz
    Beautiful Yesterday

  • reviewed 12/2008

    THE PARTIES
    Can't Come Down

  • reviewed 10/2013

    Arcade Fire
    Reflektor

  • reviewed 09/2004

    Citizen Cope
    The Clarence Greenwood Recordings

  • reviewed 07/2014

    ANUSHKA
    Broken Circuit

  • reviewed 08/2010

    SILVERSMITH
    Stories and Nightscapes

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.