It's been a hard road for "retro soul" groups to establish a voice in a genre that many consider "forgotten," but of the several incarnations out there, local phenoms JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound have been a standout with a sound that is both nostalgic and progressive. Brooks has a voice that could have easily been lifted out of the Motown era, yet his boisterous attitude and wonderfully crude sense of humor has a place right here in the present. The Uptown Sound and their driving rhythms are equally adept at melding eras, which make for a perfect complement to Brooks' enthusiasm. Their show at the Hideout will be a homecoming of sorts, as they just wrapped up a successful tour through Spain, so expect them to be at their best. Tickets are fairly priced at $10, but be sure to bring a little extra loot so you can grab a repressing of their 7-inch "Get It Together" backed with "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," which is pressed up this time on red vinyl. (J. Min)
