G. Love - The Hustle '2004

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Astronaut
02. Dont Drop It
03. Love
04. Booty Call
05. Give It To You
06. The Hustle
07. Front Porch Lounger
08. Lovin Me
09. Waiting
10. The Fishing Song
11. Back Of The Bus
12. Two Birds (International Version)
13. Stone Me
14. Sunshine
15. Ma Mere


For fans of G. Loves early-90s output, it was frustrating to watch his wiry,
organic hybrid of hip-hop, blues licks, and kind bud groove fail to resonate
with the followings of fellow travelers like the Dave Matthews Band and Ben
Harper. Sure, Cold Beverage made the mixtape rounds, but where was the love? And
yet, as the 90s played out, it was G. Loves own inconsistencies that began to
hurt him. The scatterbrained Electric Mile from 2001 was the final straw -- if
people had always had a hard time classifying him, suddenly it seemed like the
man himself couldnt figure it out. Thats all changed with Hustle. He works with
his usual Special Sauce unit of bassist Jimmy Prescott and drummer Jeffrey
Clemens, but adds Money Mark, percussionist Danny Frankel, and producer Mario
Caldato, Jr., as well as old pal Jack Johnson, whose Brushfire Records provides
the platform for this easygoing hustle. Johnson appeared on G.s Rodeo Clowns way
back when; it seems hes determined to bring his pal a bit of his newfound
mainstream lovin. It helps that Hustle is G. Loves best collection of songs in a
long, long time. Kicking off with the loopy, gritty swing of Astronaut and
running through the shameless yet somehow effective bump of Booty Call, the
album keeps things nice and simple, with G. Loves trademark smirky flow,
stripped-down rhythms, and distinctive bass and guitar licks over the top. Love
is a sunny, upbeat ode with a slight CSN lilt, while the title track hits up
cool Philly soul for its laconic sneak. Loving Me is a quietly acoustic, near
folk number, and Waiting turns on an easily surging bassline suggestive of
vintage Sublime. G. Love is still restless. He likes playing the bluesman
troubadour role, but cant work it without a little bit of rapping. Hes also a
heartfelt acoustic balladeer, but never says no to an elbowy, hippy dance-ready,
double entendre-filled groover like Fishing Song (All the fishes love me/They
all wanna jump on the end of my line...). Hustle rolls through these varieties
with strong playing and tall servings of G.s sly wit. It has a succinct ease
thatll be familiar to fans of Johnsons albums, and harks refreshingly back to
the G. Love & Special Sauce of old. Yeah, it really is that easy.

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