Dinner Music: Dave Hamilton
Airy jazz with a touch of acid lounge funk
Dave Hamilton worked primarily as a studio musician in the Detroit soul scene from the 1940s to the 70s. He worked on many recordings for the Motown label, forming a particularly strong bond with Marvin Gaye, and released a few of his own albums. He ended up leaving Motown fairly quickly, allegedly because “as an older, experienced musician, he would often stand up to Berry Gordy in regards to the rights of the studio musicians.” He went on to found his own label, though didn’t quite find the success he deserved during his time.
Detroit City Grooves was released in 2005, eleven years after Hamilton’s death. Ace Recordings, a UK based label, was able to get a hold of his archive and found a slew of unreleased or re-cut tracks. While Hamilton’s professional life was centered around soul and jazz, much of his personal work had a sound more akin to “acid lounge funk,” a la Grant Green or Sly Stone. The album was mastered in the 70s by Hamilton himself, but never released. Of the twenty-two tracks on the album, only four were ever released as singles at the time.
Enjoy.
Detroit City Grooves - Dave Hamilton:
Pair this album with:
Ancestral Blanc Brut from Les Terres Blanches. This is 100% Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. I don’t have a lot of rules when it comes to wine, but one is if I see a sparking Chenin Blanc, I drink it.
Creamy Lemon Pasta. This recipe is easy, but it’s delicious. Use the highest quality ingredients you can find — fresh pasta, fresh burrata, organic, farm fresh lemon. You can add some crispy prosciutto to the mix for a bit more texture, as well.
Short Letter, Long Farewell by Peter Handke. If you’re looking at a nice, relaxing night in, I recommend this book. It’s great writing, a bit of mystery. Perfect for a glass of wine and some smooth funk.
Thank you, as always. Have a great weekend.
p.s. if you have any recommendations or albums you gravitate toward for dinner music, let me know in the comments :)