Marvin is Smiling

Stones Throw has to be one of the best labels in LA, if not in the music world altogether today. From hip-hop greats like J Dilla to modern funk boss Dam Funk, and even a little lo-fi punk from Vex Ruffin, this label has it all. Myron & E, a veteran duo with backgrounds you wouldn’t believe, is one of the newest additions to the family and they’re great. Their debut, Broadway is a fantastic record. Lots of artists are going for the throwback feel today, but while many artists can’t reach much farther than the ’80s, Myron & E are going a step beyond than the field. They pull inspiration from The Temptations and Little Richard, rather than the punchy synth-pop that’s driving so many other groups. This is an album that goes into the days of soul, Motown and classic rock n’ roll– and it does it with endless class.

Myron’s roots are in South Central LA, and his travels brought him through a stint on In Living Color and on up to the Bay area, where he met Eric Cooke, a DJ from New Jersey. The two began collaborating and wound up working with The Soul Investigators, a contemporary soul group from Finland. Unbelievable, right? It’s like a fairy tale. But in the end, all anyone really cares about is the music– so how do the grooves stack up? Look up the word “smooth” in your dictionary, and there’s a picture of Myron & E.

“Broadway” and “Everyday Love” bring to mind classy soul men in immaculate suits and skinny neckties. “Cold Game” delivers a keyboard jam that would make Ray Charles tap his feet. Things get a little trippy on “Back N Forth,” but never so much that the music loses its cool sensibility. All the way through, Myron and Eric maintain a velvety vocal counterpoint that begs for sing-alongs. Backed by a band that rivals The Funk Brothers in terms of sheer groove potential, these guys are as close to perfect as they can get. Broadway is a winner. You can’t deny it if you try: these cats know how to swing.