Naturally
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings · 2005
40 min · 10 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of classic soul and funk, radiating joy through infectious grooves and powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Do I Let a Good Man Down? — This track features a captivating blend of vulnerability and strength, demonstrating Jones' vocal prowess alongside a tight, funk-driven arrangement that sets the tone for the album.
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Natural Born Lover — The song exemplifies the band’s ability to fuse catchy melodies with deep grooves, highlighting Jones’ dynamic range and charismatic delivery.
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Stranded in Your Love — This track showcases a more emotional side of Jones, with lush instrumentation supporting heartfelt lyrics that explore themes of longing and love.
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You're Gonna Get It — With its upbeat tempo and infectious rhythm, this song demonstrates the band's signature sound while providing an irresistible danceable energy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends vibrant grooves with strong vocals, showcasing its roots in classic soul and funk.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a consistent upbeat tempo, while the sixth track introduces a slower groove that shifts the album's energy.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns between Sharon Jones and the backing singers, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
- The album incorporates classic soul instrumentation, including horns and rhythm sections that are prominent in the mix, creating a vintage sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- infectious grooves for dancing
- joyful energy for gatherings
- short tracks with quick bursts
- uplifting vibes for celebrations
Maybe skip if you
- seeking deep introspective moments
- prefer slow, atmospheric sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, Naturally was the second studio album by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, following their critically acclaimed debut, Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones. At this point in her career, Jones had begun to solidify her presence in the deep funk revival scene, showcasing her powerful voice and the ensemble's tight instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Charles Bradley· Lee Fields· The Budos Band
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 How Do I Let a Good Man Down? 3:02
- 2 Natural Born Lover 3:04
- 3 Stranded in Your Love 5:46
- 4 My Man Is a Mean Man 3:16
- 5 You're Gonna Get It 4:59
- 6 How Long Do I Have to Wait for You? 4:03
- 7 This Land Is Your Land 4:31
- 8 Your Thing Is a Drag 3:33
- 9 Fish in the Dish 3:18
- 10 All Over Again 4:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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