The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Track Of The Week
  • Books + Movies
  • About
16
new
SPILL TRACK OF THE WEEK: GARY NUMAN – “SAINTS AND LIARS”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: ATOMIC BRONCO – “CRUEL”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: SLOTHRUST ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘PARALLEL TIMELINE’ DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 10 | NEW SINGLE + VIDEO “STRANGE ASTROLOGY” OUT NOW ON DANGERBIRD RECORDS
SPILL NEWS: MATT BERRY SHARES NEW TRACK “SUMMER SUN” | NEW ALBUM ‘THE BLUE ELEPHANT’ DUE OUT MAY 14 ON ACID JAZZ RECORDS
SPILL NEWS: BILLY F. GIBBONS ON A “DESERT HIGH” FROM FORTHCOMING ‘HARDWARE’ ALBUM VIA CONCORD
SPILL NEW MUSIC: THE TREWS SHARE BRAND NEW PANDEMIC ANTHEM “I WANNA PLAY” VIA CADENCE MUSIC GROUP
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL McCARTNEY – McCARTNEY III IMAGINED
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GRETA VAN FLEET – THE BATTLE AT GARDEN’S GATE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: ORIGINAL MUCHMUSIC VJ + PLATINUM SINGER/SONGWRITER CHRISTOPHER WARD RELEASES “BLACK VELVET” FROM ‘SAME RIVER TWICE’ ALBUM
SPILL NEW MUSIC: ISLANDS SHARE NEW SINGLE “SET THE FAIRLIGHT” VIA ROYAL MOUNTAIN RECORDS | NEW ALBUM ‘ISLOMANIA’ OUT JUNE 11
SPILL NEW MUSIC: JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM “LOCAL VALLEY” VIA MUTE RECORDS | LISTEN TO “VISIONS” TODAY
SPILL NEWS: THE BLACK KEYS CELEBRATE MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BLUES WITH NEW ALBUM ‘DELTA KREAM’ ON MAY 14 + NEW SINGLE “CRAWLING KINGSNAKE”
SPILL FEATURE: THE DOORS – L.A. WOMAN: 50 YEARS LATER
SPILL FEATURE: BURN – A CONVERSATION WITH JULES MAXWELL OF DEAD CAN DANCE
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: PENTRAL – “AIMING FOR THE SUN”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: BETTY MOON – “MY ONLY ONE”
  • MORE
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Track Of The Week
  • Books + Movies
  • About
  • Spill Menu
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Festivals
    • Portraits
    • Headlines
      • News
      • Contests
      • Events
      • Entertainment Headlines
      • Concert Listings
      • Toronto Concert Venues
    • New Music
      • Premieres
      • TOTD
    • Track Of The Week
    • Books + Movies
    • About
Album Reviews
107
previous article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEASTIE BOYS - BEASTIE BOYS MUSIC
next article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LOCAL NATIVES - SOUR LEMON

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS – JUST DROPPED IN (TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY RENDITION WAS IN)

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In)
Daptone Records

After passing away following a battle with cancer in 2016, Sharon Jones and her backing band, The Dap Kings, left behind a legacy of classic soul made for the 2000s. Having released her final album, Soul Of A Woman, posthumously in 2017, Jones & The Dap Kings are back with Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In). The latest studio album is a collection of covers that were previously released as standalone singles, were released through various compilations and soundtracks, or have remained unheard until now.

Originally recorded for a TV commercial, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In) opens with Jones’ cover of the Stevie Wonder classic, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”. The faithful cover showcases Jones’ soulful alto rasp and dynamic vocal range. The track, similar to much of the older numbers, was recorded using instrumental tones to give off a strong vintage vibe which only serves to further the listening experience. Even moving away from classic R&B to the follow tracks, Dusty Springfield’s “Little By Little” and Kenny Rogers’ “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In)”, prove to be surprising adaptations that fit seamlessly with the tone of Jones & The Dap Kings.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings truly are an incredible pairing; her magnificent voice reminiscent of some of the greatest soul vocalists and the band showing a level of sophistication and taste to bring their arrangements to life with a priority on grooving hard, as best heard on the album’s closing track, an instrumental cover of Bad Medicine’s “Trespasser”. Among the 13 tracks, the brilliant adaptation of Prince’s “Take Me With U” is a stunning example of sublime yet drastic adaptation that feels both familiar and brand new. Furthermore, the Woodie Guthrie anthem “This Land Is Your Land” is almost unrecognizable with its slow swagger and lush accents from the horn section. Additional highlights include covers of The Marvelettes’ “Here I Am Baby”, Gladys Knight’s “Giving Up”, and Bob Marley’s “It Hurts To Be Alone”.

As far as cover albums go, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In) avoids the typical clichés associated with this type of record, including general cheesiness, uninspired performances, poor song selection, and rushed production. Despite the lack of cohesiveness that comes with the intent of recording an album of covers, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings shine as the incredibly tight band that they were over soul, funk, and pop classics, and manage to pull a surprising level of conviction on a number of tributes and covers that seem out of left field. Ultimately, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In) is a testament to the legacy of not only Jones, but also the Dap Kings and their artistic contributions to the classic blues and soul revival of the past two decades.



Artist Links

website_flat_2016 facebook_flat_2016 twitter_flat_2016 instagram_flat_2016

Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS – JUST DROPPED IN (TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY RENDITION WAS IN)

Author

Gerrod Harris

Here's what we think...
Spill Rating
Fan Rating
Rate Here
New Criteria
10
—
8.0
Total Spill Rating
—
Total Fan Rating
You have rated this
Album Reviews
album reviewalbum reviewsjust dropped in (to see what condition my rendition was in)sharon jonessharon jones & the dap kingssigned sealed delivered i'm yours
album review, album reviews, just dropped in (to see what condition my rendition was in), sharon jones, sharon jones & the dap kings, signed sealed delivered i'm yours
About the Author
Gerrod Harris
Gerrod Harris
A passion for music has always been a part of Gerrod’s life. As a young boy, he was raised on a steady diet of the music from The Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, The Stones, Prince, and others from his mum. Raised in the GTA, Gerrod continued to foster his love for music by attending a wide range of concerts and learning the drums. His unapologetic passion for music has no bounds and has spread to a wide variety of styles, whether it be the 90’s rock that sound tracked his teenage years, the jazz he studied in university, or his newfound love for hip-hop. He recently received his bachelors in music and education from York University and is passionate about writing and reviewing good (and less than good) music. Gerrod is also the drummer and songwriter for a Toronto based rock & roll band, One In The Chamber.
RELATED ARTICLES
album reviewalbum reviewssharon jones
 
10
Paul McCartney
8.0

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL McCARTNEY – McCARTNEY III IMAGINED

by Aaron Badgley on April 16, 2021
Paul McCartney McCartney III Imagined MPL/Capitol Say what you will about Paul McCartney, but he never does what is expected of him. Following the success of 2020’s McCartney [...]
 
8.0
Greta Van Fleet

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GRETA VAN FLEET – THE BATTLE AT GARDEN’S GATE

by Melinda Welsh on April 16, 2021
Greta Van Fleet The Battle At Garden’s Gate Lava Records There’s no denying it — Greta Van Fleet have taken a lot of flack. Whichever side of the fence you [...]
 
7.0
The Reds, Pinks & Purples

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE REDS, PINKS AND PURPLES – UNCOMMON WEATHER

by Dan Kennard on April 9, 2021
The Reds, Pinks and Purples Uncommon Weather Slumberland Records For the third year in a row, The Reds, Pinks, and Purples have released another album of gentle, hazy, [...]
 
7.0
Robert Cotter
5.1

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT COTTER – MISSING YOU

by Gerrod Harris on April 9, 2021
Robert Cotter Missing You WeWantSounds Before Chic set the disco world on fire with the quintessential hit, “Le Freak” in 1978, they were The Big Apple Band, fronted by Robert Cotter. [...]
 
9.0
Twin Tribes
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWIN TRIBES – ALTARS

by Jake Collier on April 9, 2021
Twin Tribes Altars Negative Gain/Young & Cold Records/Manic Depression Records Darkwave duo du jour, Twin Tribes, have released Altars, a remix album that encompasses their first two [...]
Latest Album Reviews
View All
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL McCARTNEY – McCARTNEY III IMAGINED
10
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GRETA VAN FLEET – THE BATTLE AT GARDEN...
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE REDS, PINKS AND PURPLES – UNCOMMON WE...
7.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT COTTER – MISSING YOU
7.0
5.1
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWIN TRIBES – ALTARS
9.0
10
Latest Live Reviews
View All
 
Philip H. Anselmo

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS – A VULGAR DISPLAY OF PANTERA (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Gerrod Harris on April 9, 2021
65
 
This Is A Rock Show

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: OSHAWA MUSIC WEEK: THIS IS A ROCK SHOW – FEATURING REVIVE THE ROSE, THE JAILBIRDS, CIGAR CLUB, KILLER VIRGINS & MORE @ THE OSHAWA MUSIC HALL CONCERT THEATRE, OSHAWA

by Gerrod Harris on April 9, 2021
3159
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 3 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on March 18, 2021
19
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 2 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on February 18, 2021
265
 
Small Town Titans

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: SMALL TOWN TITANS @ SMT HQ, YORK (PA)

by Gerrod Harris on February 6, 2021
51
Tweets by @spillmagazine

SPILL MAGAZINE MENU
  • Home | The Spill Magazine
  • Premieres
  • Track Of The Week
  • Album Reviews
  • Books + Movies
  • Features
  • Live Reviews
  • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • News
  • Events
  • Entertainment Headlines
  • Concert Listings
  • Toronto Concert Venues
  • About Us
  • Contests
  • New Music
  • Spill Magazine Contributors
  • TOTD
  • Privacy Policy
  • The Scene Unseen
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 | The Spill Magazine
All Rights Reserved.

TRENDING RIGHT NOW
   
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NOFX – SINGLE ALBUM
2162
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JON BATISTE – WE ARE
976
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHEVELLE – NIRATIAS
867
 
SPILL CONTEST: MANNEQUIN VANITY RECORDS GIVEAWAY – ENTER TO WIN A GIANT MVR PRIZE PACK!
815
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLACK PISTOL FIRE – LOOK ALIVE
440
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STRAWBS – SETTLEMENT
429
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DANIEL LANOIS – HEAVY SUN
363
 
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: SEEPEOPLES – “IT FEELS HEAVY”
362
 
SPILL FEATURE: HIS STORY RIGHT NOW – A CONVERSATION WITH cEvin Key
321
 
SPILL FEATURE: TRULY ORCHESTRATING HIS OWN LIFE – A CONVERSATION WITH RICK SPRINGFIELD
304
 
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 2 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)
265
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RINGO STARR – ZOOM IN
263
 
SPILL NEW MUSIC: CANADA’S ‘PRINCESS OF EVERYTHING’ BIF NAKED SHARES NEW SINGLE “BROKE INTO YOUR CAR” AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘CHAMPION’
258
ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES