Little Barrie are back with a new album, playing Bowery Electric Tuesday, played Rose Bar (pics & videos)

February 28, 2012

words by Bill Pearis, photos by Ryan Barkan

Little Barrie @ Gramercy Hotel

Those of you whose memories go back to the mid-’00s and were paying attention to the UK may remember London trio Little Barrie whose 2005 debut was an enjoyable mix of jazzy funk and garage soul, with just the right touch of retro sonic flare courtesy producer Edwyn Collins. Their single “Free Salute” got some exposure over here, they played SXSW and CMJ, made a disappointing second album in 2007 with Dan the Automator. Frontman and guitarist Barrie Cadogan became an in-demand hired hand for the likes of Paul Weller, Spiratualized and Primal Scream and Little Barrie mostly ceased operations.

But Cadogan has dusted off the band with a new album, King of the Waves, that reunites him with producer Edwyn Collins who seems to have lit a fire under Little Barrie. King of the Waves is more adrenalized with a little less patchouli funk this time around. You can watch videos for singles “Surf Hell” and “How Come” at the bottom of this post and stream the whole album via Spotify.

Wrapping up a US tour which brought them to Chicago last week with Charles Bradley and to Gramercy Hotel’s Rose Bar back on 2/6 (pictures in this post), Little Barrie next play Bowery Electric Tuesday night (2/28).

Click through for more pictures from Gramercy Hotel, videos from King of the Waves, plus the video for “Free Salute”…