Immediately when I logged into MySpace to search for this week’s band, I was taken back to my childhood when I bumped into JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound’s Space. First, the photo reminds me of that famous seen in “Animal House”, and second, the music does just the same. These Ottis Redding, old school, soundalikes, do a solid job at taking soul from the past and pushing it to the future.
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JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound |  Entertainment
 Art
1,354 MySpace Fans
3,937 plays on top song “Baltimore is the New Brooklyn”
www.myspace.com/theuptownsound
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And, you can throw a nice connection to the music scenes from “American Gangster”, too. These guys have soul.
“Baltimore is the New Brooklyn” is the first song on their Space boom box, and has collected the most plays – 3,937 – but the song that really connected with me, both in rhythm and lyrics was “Hold You Back.” The song starts with a slow intro reminiscent of the old days, and quickly picks up into a song that could easily be performed by a Maroon 5 or John Mayer. That’s what I call eclectic and versatile.
We have to talk about “Unconventional Wisdom” as well, because surprisingly it has only had 496 plays. Given, there are plenty of bands and DJs who have used Barack Obama’s great speech as the lyrics behind the song. It actually sounds like Dave Matthews when he tells a story in front of the music. You know, he jumbles about sex or poop. Only in this case, Barack is jumbling about much deeper stuff. Again nice work.
The last song on their space, and you know I hate it when a band uses the minimum of four songs, is “95 Years of Art Sex”, a live song that has collected 247 plays. It’s a decent song, but not my favorite. The one thing it does accomplish is show these guys can really rock in person. Meaning you may want to get drunk and check them out at the Cubby Bear TOMORROW, April 18, 2008.
Now for the artistic side of their space. The poster for the Cubby Bear show is good, and so are their pictures, especially since Lumino Magazine photographer Maureen Vana shot them, but as for the rest of their Space – thumbs down. The only reason I am even giving them 1-star is because of the photos.
Guys, you obviously understand the need for art to market a band, as your Cubby Bear poster is artistic – now apply that to the rest of your site. Use some creativity. Show some art that links past to present. You have a great sound – modern soul – now market it. You don’t want to lose fans by them seeing a blank white site when they visit your page. Use social networking to build your brand (now, of course I will have to bill you for my consulting).
And, for those of you wanting to see JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound live, three dates are in the near future – 10 p.m., April 18, at the Cubby Bear, 8 p.m. on April 30 as one of the four finalists for the Metromix Rock 'n' Vote showcase, and 9 p.m. May 17 at The Hideout.
For more information on this Chicago party band, visit www.myspace.com/theuptownsound
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