Latest Reviews FuNkY CaR - Hey Gringo
	As well as laying down some seriously funky grooves, this smokin' R&B combo based in Melbourne and centred around keyboards, harmonica player Daryl Roberts, guitarist-basist Paul Gadsby and drummer Les Oldman also specialises in swing shuffles and latin derived rhythms. Flanked by Laurie Bongailas and David Williamson on sax roles, occasionally Nicky Bomba on congas and backing vocals, Bill Putt on slide and Ian Russo's trumpet, lead vocalists Gadsby & Roberts are joined on some tracks by such luminaries as Ross Wilson, Broderick Smith and Mike Rudd. Wilson co-wrote 'Old Country Road' on which he sings lead and plays harp. He reappears when Hey Gringo poses the question "What is It With A Woman?", a blues shuffle where all six featured vocalists- including Smith and ace guitarist Rudd - take turns singing verses. Smith's pliant reedwork is again heard on the blues-soaked closer 'Tell Me Something'. A crisp well-balanced genuine black-orientated sound surround smooth vocal tones and harmonies throughout the hour-long program. Stabbing horn lines and tastefully executed guitar, piano and organ breaks blend a total of 14 catchy original songs together in unerring precision. More intriguing elements of Funky Car include 'Moonslap' - a six and half minute instrumental workout - plus the amiable opener 'Never Let Go', a swinging 'Now's The Time' &  12th Bar Blues', the bluesy 'What's Been Goin'On?' and funkified 'Overnite'. Robert's clever, hook-laden title cut, containing more than a faint, modernistic tint of Zappa, exemplifies his wealth of composing talent. Both lyrically and melodically he is equalled by team-mate Gadsby, generally each write seperately. Emitting a Steve Miller meets Steely Dan vibe with a sprinkling of Joe Jackson, Hey Gringo is an excellent band offering much to lovers of jazz-inflected traditional R&B. Al Hensley - RHYTHMS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2004
	For a satisfying listen check out Melbourne outfit Hey Gringo’s Funky Car CD – stylish, soulful and rootsy R&B with lashings of Aussie humour and attitude. Good songs with impressive musicianship throughout made all the more enjoyable by guest appearances from local legends Ross Wilson, Mike Rudd, Bill Putt, Nicky Bomba and Broderick Smith. Nothing gets overstated or overplayed, there’s just a cruisin’, relaxed vibe all down the line. Highlights include ‘Never Let Go’, ‘Old Country Road’, ‘Gimme Back My Brain’, ‘What’s Been Going On?’, ‘Outta My Tree’, ‘What Is It With a Woman?’ and the jazzy instrumental ‘Moonslap’ with its playful groove, laid-back organ, nimble slide and percussive bridge. Daryl Roberts (vocals/keyboards), Paul Gadsby (guitars/bass/vocals), Les Oldman (drums), David Williamson (sax) and the rest of the guys make a great team. Ian McFarlane - Encyclopedia of Australian Rock, Musicologist, Oz Rock Historian. May 2004
		It says something straight away about the caliber of the playing of the guys in Hey Gringo when you see the guest list on this album, and while they certainly enhance the collection of songs the overall sound still remains distinctly Hey Gringo. And what is their sound you say….in a word Funk….in several words 70’s retro funk that swings and grooves with a soul that evokes dimly lit clubs and bars rather than the pulsing dico lights and white suited Travolta wannabes. The Album is a smorgasbard of listening delights kicking straight into a brassy beginning with the driving “Never Let Go”. In “Nows the Time” Gadsby croons a jazzy melody that would hold its own up against the greats of the genre. “ Old Country Road” with Ross the Boss on vocals and harp makes country music groove in a way it rarely does. Bringing this mixture of style and influences together are the hallmark piano licks from Roberts that really standout in “Gimmee Back My Brain” which features Mike Rudd on lead guitar…..It’s a fat sound for the chorus dropping back the dynamics for the verses. The title track (Funky Car) is a real groove a la laid back Sly and the Family Stone…..this car is on cruise control…great wah wah. After all this cool groovin’ we are suddenly thrust into some lively “jump blues” with the big vocal sound of Roberts, Wilson and Rudd on “What is it With a Woman”. These guys even catch a great Motown brass sound with the soul tinged “Overnite” reminiscent of the Funk Bros...The final two tracks feature the harmonica of Broderick Smith who proves that less is often best and combining it beautifully with Williamsons sax. Summing up …..14 strong songs played by some of our better musicians and the winner is…..you! TONY JAGGERS - www.rumza.com - Mojos & Jellyrolls 2EARFM 107.5 NSW
			The music on Hey Gringo's 'Funky Car' can be summed up in one word - irresistible.  The jazz, soul, blues & funk influences on the albums' originals are given fresh coats of paint by the band and their guests , as one infectious song preceeds another.  One of the years best albums. BILLY  PINNELL - Musicologist, Journalist & Oz Rock Historian - March 2004 **** 4 STARS – Cool Rockin with Ross Wilson, Mike Rudd, Bill Putt & Broderick Smith adding authentic licks to an already top notch band” LEE HOWARD – Melbourne’s SUNDAY HERALD SUN - Jan 2004 Hey Gringo's second album continues to evoke the sounds of the Seventies - At times funky, laidback or emblished brass arrangements - no disco though! There's blues and rhythm and blues; most of the tracks sound very familiar to me, but none are covers, which indicates the band are adept at writing in the genres of the times. I enjoyed the lyics of the title track, Funky Car, which talks about some of the petrol head cars of my youth, but I couldn't get enough of the slinky hammond on the only instrumental on the album, Moonslap. Well worth the dollars. CHRIS SPENCER - Who's Who of Australian Rock - March 2004 With the release of Funky Car, Hey Gringo acknowledges the framework put in place by numerous 70's musical pioneers all the while integrating a strong rhythm and blues groove from the 00's, with the eyes firmly on the future. Hey Gringo’s FUNKY CAR blends into a unique mix that only betters with repeated plays of the CD. FRANK DAVIDSON –Different Shade of Blues Radio 107.3FM – ALBURY - Jan 2004 Got the Funky Car CD last week and it has not been out of the player since. Congratulations on a superb album, great music and well produced, I can't wait to see you live. BARRY IVORY – Melting Pot – 3RPC 99.3FM - Portland - Jan 2004 Funky car, funky songs, funky band – but that’s not the whole story of the new album from this hard-working Melbourne band who delivers a wholehearted and recognisable brand of retro-rock and blues. True - there are some definitely funked-up tracks on this, their second release and first real upmarket album, but they continue to deliver a familiar retro feel. The feel is balanced and yet diverse, from foot-tapping up tempo ‘fifties style rockers to wafting jazz influenced ‘seventies-style tunes – not a one dimensional album at all and like everything Hey Gringo do – Funky Car is highly listenable groove action. JEFF TURNBULL – jeffscrossroadsblues.com.au - Feb 2004