CD reviews: Summer Thieves

Having springboarded from the Dunedin student parties to national tours and summer festivals, the now Auckland-based Summer Thieves build on the roots-rock-funk template of Six60, Kora and others, aided in their soulful endeavours by none other than Tiki Taane, who produced this debut album.

The result of more than three years’ tinkering, Warped is  meticulous, yet there is also an energy and instinctive tightness that comes from years of performance.

Tonight’s The Night plays with some interesting ideas,  while Don’t Matter (feat Raiza Biza) shows a dexterous ability to mix staccato hip-hop with a fluid groove and dark electronic textures.

• Summer Thieves. Warped. Universal. 

• Three and a half stars (out of five)

Single download: No Shadow
For those who like: Black Seeds meet Ben Harper

— Shane Gilchrist