King Khan and the Shrines
The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines
Vice Records
Rating: 3/4
The international 12-piece rock ‘n’ roll explosion King Khan and the Shrines have provided fans with a greatest hits compilation for their fourth album, The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines. The disc features tracks from throughout the band’s history, liner notes by Jared Swilley of Khan’s new labelmates, the Black Lips, and a whole lot of great garage soul vibes! “Torture” opens this psychedelic-soul-rock album and takes you back to the ’60s when everything was groovy and makes you want to shake a tail feather to outrageous guitar riffs, while “Que Lindo Sueno” is a downtempo joint similar to something from the Doors. “Burning Inside” is filled with crazy tambourine beats over electric guitar cues. King Khan, who had his start in Montreal band, the Spaceshits, and gained notoriety for his time in the King Khan & BBQ Show, moved to Berlin in 1999 and formed the Shrines. Joining the King Khan and the Shrines’ lineup is 60-year-old Chicagoan Ron Streeter (live percussionist for Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and many other soul legends), and a horn section consisting of Simon Wojan (the mastermind behind Kranky Records’ recording artists Cloudland Canyon), Ben Ra (Germany’s John Coltrane), and famous French rockabilly saxophonist Big Fred Rollercoaster.
