Today, we’re going to talk about a band that feels more like a movie than a typical album review. And we’re talking about an English band called The 77 Syndicate, as well as a fellow musician named Rowen Shore, though to describe them as a band does not at all do justice. The mythology begins in Chicago with an analog box of dusty tapes for $10 at a yard sale. But what were those tapes? The “illicit” late-night jam sessions involving elite pros from the late ’70s. These cats were under contract and weren’t allowed to jam together; so, in other words, they broke off into the underground world of “Warehouse ’77” to jam out and have some fun in private. Behind closed doors and out of reach of lawyers and record companies, these pros ditched their polished sound for Funk, Disco, and then nascent House music sketched out in rough form. Such sessions nearly disappeared forever in the year 2025 in a nearly disastrous technical accident and were brought back to life only after a painstaking restoration. The eight-track album, released January 2nd and titled “The Studio 77 Tapes,” is an audible manifestation of complete creativity, all accomplished in the middle of the night before this thing could be silenced by an awakened Record Industry. Now, let’s get into the tracks and analyze if the music measures up to the legend.
The first song on the album is entitled “Get On That Groove”. The song opens with a raw, dry drum break reverb, just wood on skin. You can almost hear the dust being shaken off the rafters before the bassline kicks in, which makes you feel like you’re in the studio, too. The ad-libs make this song even more fantastic. In that moment, you know this song is going to slap!. The song talks about the Theme of Rejection of Stagnation. Beyond the title, the lyrics themselves are a rallying cry against “soul rot.” It’s the spiritual peril of being in a state of stasis in a world in motion, and the physical gesture of dancing to take back control. Just telling you, let loose, and let the music take over. I can guarantee you that indeed when the music starts, it will get your groove back up, even if you can’t dance!. This track is pure, unadulterated funk. There is a physical “pocket” that the music drives home, thrusting the heart and the feet into a primal connection. So do as the song says and get on that groove!!
And at number two, we have “Boom! Shake My Groove (Club Version)”. The song starts with A’s heavy synth growl that simulates the qualities of a machine warming up, and a strong, echoing sound of a snare of an electric guitar snare that cuts through the air like a whip. This song is of a man who has been mesmerized by the person he has met. He flirts with her and describes her to the top of “how she makes him feel,” despite his trying to be cool. It is an expansive and “neon”-sounding one compared to the previous piece. It is dizzying and makes the listener think that the walls of the “room” are suddenly pushed miles back. “Growl, that bass, oh my goodness, it had me drooling!”
“Boom! Shake My Groove” is the next song on the record. It does away with the synth fog and serves as an upbeat beginning that opens with the dynamic combination of a cowbell and a rhythmic guitar scratch. The theme of this song is the same as the previous song. This one is definitely more aggressive than the club remix, but in a very good way. This is definitely “closer” in that it’s like having the band playing three feet in front of your face.
Next is “Get On That Groove (Club Version)”. This song opens with A lengthy build-up of ‘tape-loop’ sounds that develop into a hypnotic disco-inspired bass and a nice vocal performance. In this song, the character is encouraging someone to embrace that fire and that groove to release stress and let loose. As long as the groove remains,” the battle can be won. This song has got that pulsing kind of music that propels the listener to think they can break through bricks if the beat just keeps going.
“Blackroom groove” is the song that follows. It begins with a muted, lo-fi sound, as if you are listening to the song through a thick velvet curtain, until the full range of frequencies breaks loose with a dirty, trumpet sound. The intro reminds me of the retro disco melodies. The theme of the song is The Truth in the Shadows. This song is all about the intimate time between lovers, where their bodies do the talking instead of their words. Musically, the song features a Smoky funky jazz melody and also disco at the same time. So wonderful!
The sixth song on the record is “ Bad Intentions On The One”. A staccato, aggressive bass pop that repeats twice before the other instruments of the band join in with a frenetic brass section. What makes it even better is what the artist says before the music sets in. It’s so cool! It made me feel like I was in the studio with them while they were making this song!. The “bad intentions” have nothing to do with spite and everything to do with disregard for societal norms. The song is all about “acting up” against a world that demands that you need to be a certain way. It is rebellion with soul that is escaping, like the artist said in the beginning. The song features High tension and most importantly, soul, lots and lots of soul!. This is the most intricate song on the album, not intricate like a boring melody, but because it is meant to leave the listener feeling exhilarated and a little bit reckless.
The next song on the album is “Bring The Horns and Break The Laws”. A call and response of a lone trumpet and a pounding drum fills. It has the essence of a revolution beginning in a backyard alley. The song talks about the Moral Imperative to Rebel. The message conveyed in the lyrics is that when the “laws” get oppressive, the only response that matters is artistic expression. It is the strength in the “noise” that overcomes. The music is soulful and rebellious. The horn section arrangements are triumphant, uplifting the soul of the listener.
The last song on the album is “Burn My Name”. The song’s intro is this wild electric guitar melody, and we get a taste of the vocal performance that is absolutely bonkers!!!. This song introduces listeners to a character who is admitting that she is like fire and danger so if you want her, you are doing so at your own risk!. The instrumentation in this song is wild, just like fire is. You have no idea how powerful I felt when listening to this song because we can all stand to be a little dangerous and reckless. I am glad I listened, and now I know I have a certain power I can tap into! This song brings this crazy ride to a stop.
“The Studio 77 Tapes” is more than an album; it is a heartbeat restored. This is the spark of energy where the glitter of Disco started to pour sweat and transform itself into the beat of House. This heartbeat lay poised on the edge of oblivion, held back from the oblivion of obscurity by mere coincidence. I genuinely don’t know how to express how thankful I am to this team for refusing to let these tracks fade away. Listening to it, it wasn’t just the sound of the music but the room too that I heard. The heat of the tube amps, the telepathic link of men playing for their lives. It’s so immersive that I felt like I was right there with them in the smoke, losing all track of time in a jam. I’m telling you: permit yourself the liberty of letting go. Dive into this record, allow the “groove” to take over, and I promise you won’t look back. This is what happens when world-class talent meets total creative freedom. Already, I am excited at the thought of when such paths might cross again for another project-because talent like this is rare, and the energy’s so infectious.
Stream “The Studio 77 Tapes” album on Spotify
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