ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
  • News
    Les Imprimés playing guitar

    Big Crown Records sign Norwegian artist Les Imprimés

    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

  • News
    Les Imprimés playing guitar

    Big Crown Records sign Norwegian artist Les Imprimés

    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

No Result
View All Result

Reverse lights on Adée - Addicted

Reggie Got Beats returns with Rohey for new summer groove

The Napkins are Genuine

Andy Collins by Andy Collins
09/05/2017
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Is it just me or do so many pop artists sound very similar?

And in fact, where are all the bands?

Good question, I’m sure you’d agree. However, I’m not going to start disassembling the music business and demonstrate how the major corporations have a monopoly on all commercial music. That’s a discussion for another day.

However, I do want to talk about a band who’ve released their new EP Genuine, and a singer who’s voice cannot be mistaken for anyone else.

The band are The Napkins with lead vocals by Charlotta Kerbs.

Since I first heard the Finnish singers vocals in 2014, I’ve never mistaken her for anyone else. Comparable to UK soul singer Alice Russell, Charlotte also sings with a genuine, passionate and undeniable soul essence.

Together with the Napkins, a nine-piece soul band from Pietarsaari / Helsinki, they create an organic, retro sound. Their debut album World On a String, released in 2016 featured nine soul-inspired tracks.

I’ve got to admit; I’m attracted by the simple yet striking graphic cover design of their new five-track EP – Genuine. It’s clearly a homage to the classic 60’s covers, and the letters seem to dance above the circles.

Just like Danish band D/troit, you can judge a book by its cover, and the nostalgic style is a clear indication of the real soul-filled content.

The EP sets off at wheel spinning, burn rubber pace with the cinematic, funk-driven – Funkster. Pulsating with 70’s funk and fist-pumping attitude this feels like it made for a high-speed car chase! To prove the point, watch my (fan-made) example below:

The Napkins vs Bullitt
Prev 1 of 1 Next
  • The Napkins vs Bullitt

    The Napkins vs Bullitt

Prev 1 of 1 Next

 

This track does have a serious message, and the lyrics are worth your attention.

We catch our breaths as the Napkins slow to cruising speed on the sublime – Need Somebody. Charlotta’s compelling expressions connect as she declares the desire we all have, to be loved. It’s a killer track which gets better with repeated play.

The title track #3 Genuine isn’t the star of this EP and is only downgraded due to an awkward trumpet solo which jars heavily with an otherwise fine track.

Track #4 is the funk-a-licous – Move On. All lyrics are written by Charlotta’s and the roots of the Finnish soul singer are revealed when she sings ‘Move on, fight on and express ourselves’ straight from the Godfathers of Soul’s handbook.

The foot-tapping groove of the final track – Falling for You, rounds off a splendid EP. Stripped to three (Charlotta Kerbs- vocals, Mats Ödahl- bass, Lukas Djupsjöbacka- guitar) the trio’s live version (below) allows Charlotta a little more openness for her enthralling vocals to shine.

Charlotta Kerbs & The Napkins(trio) - Falling for you
Prev 1 of 1 Next
  • Charlotta Kerbs & The Napkins(trio) - Falling for you

    Charlotta Kerbs & The Napkins(trio) - Falling for you

Prev 1 of 1 Next

The Napkins have certainly matured from their debut album. The sound is even tighter and condensed to five tracks it feels catchier too resulting in a funking good listen.

 

The Review

The Napkins - Genuine

4 Score

Worth finding on vinyl and not just for the cover!

Review Breakdown

  • 4
Tags: The Napkins
Fieh live Fieh live Fieh live
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Latest News

The Napkins / Tonight

by Andy Collins
14/04/2015
Album Review

The Napkins – World on a String

27/10/2014
Latest News

The Napkins / All Over

by Andy Collins
19/06/2014
Load More

Discover more

Les Imprimés playing guitar
Latest News

Big Crown Records sign Norwegian artist Les Imprimés

01/02/2023
Dina Ögon
Latest News

Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

29/01/2023
Woman in shadow
Latest News

Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

26/01/2023
Prev Next

Archives

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

  • If you found the image arresting just wait till you hear the track! @tildaallie dropped her single - Say No last month and it’s contemporary blend of soul and hip hop is just as captivating as the image! Expect the unexpected here! Love it! ♥️
Follow @tildaallie and discover this UK based Swedish artist/producer 
*Edited and reposted*
#scandinaviansoul #tildaallie #newmusic #contemporary #swedishmusic #soulful
  • This new cover version by @saiesaiesoul took us in her arms and rocked us like a baby! ❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥
Her live recorded version adds a new dimension and energy to this classic and we love it!! ❤️❤️
Follow @saiesaiesoul 
#scandinaviansoul #soul #swedish #saiesaie #video #newmusic #disco #rockyoubaby
  • New music and fresh vibes are delivered by @bby.beige and her new single / över dig under dig. Prepare for the unexpected on this soulful single and we’re hoping there’s a video to this soon! 
Follow @bby.beige 
We’ve got a good feeling about where she’s headed. And that’s up! 🔥🔥

Little extra details…

  • Our services
  • My account
  • Customer Service
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Behind the scenes

  • ABOUT US
  • EVERYTHING SCANDINAVIAN SOUL IS AND ISN’T
  • JOIN OUR TEAM

stripe

© 2012-2022 scandinaviansoul.com. Design by 68-design.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Single / EP Reviews
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • Soul Talk
  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Videos
  • Playlists
  • Artists / Bands
  • SOUL SHOP
  • Cart
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • About us
Close