Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins – Clutch Of The Tiger

Typically solid release from London based American multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee, this time in collaboration with California based fellow traveler Clutchy Hopkins, who, according to Lee, gave Lee his trademark tiger mask. The emphasis on the 12 instrumental tracks contained here is on funk and soul, with a little jazz and various world music influences thrown in as well. Their collaboration is a little more low key than I had expected, but it’s still pretty tasty stuff, and as per usual with Lee’s releases,very smooth and great fun to listen to, the soundtrack to the groovy life you’re planning on having. This is the first music I’ve heard from Hopkins: He’s got two previous releases out, Walking Backwards from earlier this year, and 2006’s The Life Of Clutchy Hopkins, both of which I intend to listen to now. Standout cuts: “Full Moon,” “Dollar Short,” “Bad Influence” and “Indian Burn.”

http://www.myspace.com/shawnleemusic

http://www.myspace.com/whoisclutchyhopkins