I have been digging a lot of the soul bands that have recently hit the scene including revivalist acts like Brooklyn-based Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and organ backed, neo soul Fitz and The Tantrums. People are going absolutely nuts for these type of bands with good reason. They throw down.

One band that has stood out to me during the recent resurgence of soul in America has been JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound who started in Chicago back in 2007. with guitarist Billy Bungeroth, drummer Kevin Marks, and bassist Ben Taylor and the Lowdown Brass Band (formerly the Lowdown Horns) to lay down the funk-based dance music for JC Brooks’ soulful lyrics and high-energy stage presence.

A friend of mine in Chicago had mentioned something about JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound to me so I decided to check out their MySpace page and give them a listen. I was hooked instantly by the sampling (below) that they had on MySpace. I haven’t had a chance to see them live or listen to an entire album but I thought I would pass it along to y’all so you could be aware of them.

Check out their MySpace sampler below:

Here is the music video of JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound covering Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”:

While Charles Osgood referencing the Black Eyed Peas makes me a little uncomfortable everything about the story that follows makes me feel very at home. I’m more of a Meet The Press guy, but my Dad has always been a CBS Sunday Morning fan so I thought it was pretty cool when he called to tell me that Wilco was on tv. I guess this makes it official… Wilco is “Dad rock”. I don’t care though, I love it.

Jay Bennett, best known as the former guitarist / multi-instrumentalist of Wilco died Sunday at the age of 45. It was only three weeks ago that Bennett filed suit against his former bandmates over past royalties, and sadly, it will likely be his well documented disputes with Wilco and frontman Jeff Tweedy that he will be remembered for. Jay Bennett was an incredibly talented musician that deserved more than he received. His departure from the band during the recording of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was documented in the film, I’m Trying to Break Your Heart. Bennett played an integral role in the evolution and national breakthrough of Wilco. His contributions to Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot were crucial to those albums success.

Bennett passed away in his sleep while at his home in Urbana, IL. An autopsy was performed and pending a toxicology report the cause of death was deemed inconclusive.

Jay Bennett you will be missed. Our regrets that you never got the credit you deserved.

Apparently someone felt that the world could no longer wait for Wilco (The Album) to be released. Last night Wilco’s highly anticipated new record, originally scheduled for a June 30 release, was leaked on to the internet. In an effort to get ahead of the leak and appease those fans wanting to preview the new record Wilco has set up a page on their website for you to stream Wilco (The Album) in its entirety.

We’re one listen in and so far really like what we here. Wilco hasn’t reinvented the wheel with this record, but instead continue to produce some of the most tasteful and well written songs of any band currently making music. However, those fans hanging on to Jeff Tweedy’s comments regarding experimentation and hoping for a Yankee Hotel Foxtrot style record may be disappointed by the straightforward earnestness of Wilco (The Album).

Anyone that has seen Wilco live has probably experienced Jeff Tweedy’s self deprecating stage banter. So perhaps in another attempt to show that they are not quite as serious as their documentaries would have you believe Wilco has released the cover art for Wilco (The Album).

After months of creative deliberation it has been decided. Wilco’s forthcoming record will be called…. Wilco (The Album). No, seriously that’s title. And just in case that wasn’t direct enough the initial track list includes Wilco (The Song). Wilco (The Album) seemingly finds the group keeping it simple and yet according to the band experimenting more within the studio. Lead singer and songwriter, Jeff Tweedy, has already proclaimed, “it’s our best album yet”. Recorded primarily at their Chicago loft after an initial recording session in New Zealand, Wilco (The Album) is said to include a little something for everyone including a duet with indie princess Feist.

Wilco (The Album) is due out June 30 on Nonesuch.