Review: Joe Probert - Hold Up (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock's Jo Wallace knows you know after nailing down Bristolian Joe, now living in New Zealand, you can be sure this guy will hold up as a super talent.

Almost exactly a year since 'The Nose EP' (see review HERE) we thought that this guy was as funky as a mosquitos you know whats it but clearly he's also absorbed some of Joe Dukie's soul as he adopts more of that classic Motown soul soaked strings on 'Hold Up' (thats as equally impressive as vocals and instrumental versions)

Note, the label are adamant that there's no remixes or edits of these two tracks and you've got to admit, it's a perfect as it is.

This track has that type of impact of 'Sixteen With A Bullet' (Pete Wingfield) or 'I Can't Stand The Rain' (Ann Peebles) [kids, ask your grandparents] that shouts "MAGIC" at you!

Clearly the Ramrock team have done it again, amazing consistency release after release - we love 'em and Joe's album is going to have a huge impact.

Artist: Joe Probert

Title: Hold Up EP

Release date: 2nd September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR066

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Joe Probert - The Nose EP (Ramrock Red)

When you've got Tim Goldsworthy (DFA, UNKLE, Hercules & Love Affair) and Ramrock's Jo Wallace after a Bristolian living in New Zealand, you can be sure that they're sniffing out some super talent.

Over the last 20 years, New Zealand has proved to be more than just an musical outpost that produced Split Enz/Crowed House/Finn Brothers and Charles Tumahai (BeBop Deluxe) as the likes of Fat Freddy's Drop/Joe Dukie and Julien Dyne have seen them have album releases on cult labels in the UK and Europe.

And now it's Joe Probert's turn as his unique soul/funk/pop is right up Ramrock's as 'No Hot Fever' gets psych/funked-out, 'Toe The Line' that's classic Motown soul soaked vocal/organ (you get me, Mrs Ramrock?) and 'Tired Of Waiting' which is my pick of the three; that said, I can see all three getting played on all the great radio stations throughout the day.

Who know's why it's call The Nose (why not 'The Toe'?) but if you're a fan of Joseph Malik's new album, 'Proxima Ebony' (see review HERE), here's another must have and it's frightening to think how good these guys are and indeed, what's to come!

Did someone say, DJ Gerry Hectic was on the undercard to Tim Goldsworthy in Bournemouth many moons ago?  I thought not.

Artist: Joe Probert

Title: The Nose EP

Release date: 22nd September, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR052

Format: Bandcamp / Digital