Shuffle Demons, Are You Really Real? Review

The Shuffle Demons Are for Real

By Ferell Aubre

Forty years in, thankfully, Toronto’s Shuffle Demons refuse to mellow out. Are You Really Real? bursts from the speakers like a reed-powered street party, equal parts groove, grit, and grinning mischief. It’s a fitting project for a band that built its reputation busking on the city’s sidewalks in the 1980s, a place where improvisation, audience interplay, and raw energy mattered more than pristine perfection. Somehow, even in a studio setting, they bottle that same magic, shaking up jazz, funk, Latin, blues, and even hip-hop into a kinetic, horn-fueled joyride.

For a band that swears by the lean bass, three saxophone, and drums setup, Shuffle Demons craft an impressively full-bodied sound. Credit goes to producer Jono Grant and co-producer Richard Underhill, who strike a balance between tight arrangements and a loose, spontaneous feel. Whether it’s Julian Decorte’s crisp engineering at Canterbury Music or John “Beetle” Bailey’s immersive audio mix, every note lands with clarity and punch. The horns sizzle, the rhythm section locks in tight, and the album breathes like a living, dancing entity.

At the helm is Richard Underhill, the band’s leader and founding member, whose alto and baritone sax lines define the Shuffle Demons’ signature sound. His compositions crackle with energy, his solos burst with character, and his charismatic vocals add an unmistakable swagger to the mix.

Kelly Jefferson holds down the tenor saxophone chair with a deep well of fluid improvisations and impeccable ensemble playing. Whether locking in harmonically with the front line or breaking free for a solo, he adds depth and dynamism to the band’s sound.

Sharing the tenor duties, Matt Lagan injects fresh energy into the brass brigade. His playing is equal parts technical prowess and boundless enthusiasm, seamlessly blending into the band’s intricate horn interplay while adding his own expressive stamp.

Holding it all together in the low end, Mike Downes lays down rock-solid grooves on acoustic and electric bass. An award-winning virtuoso, he navigates the band’s stylistic twists with ease, ensuring that every track moves with momentum and feel.

Driving the pulse, Stich Wynston is the rhythmic heartbeat of the Shuffle Demons. His drumming is controlled and explosive when the moment calls for it. Adding to the band’s layered textures, his backing vocals further enrich the group’s boisterous and unpredictable spirit.

The opener, “X Marks The Spot,” sets the tone with razor-sharp horn parts and a rhythm section that refuses to sit still. The groove pivots effortlessly between jazz-funk swagger and unpredictable rhythmic turns, proving that Shuffle Demons are just as precise as they are playful.

“Out To Sea” trades the streets for the ocean, gliding on a Latin-infused bassline and windswept sax melodies. Kelly Jefferson’s composition is full of bright harmonic shifts, mirroring the fluid motion of waves.

The title track, “Are You Really Real?” is an existential funhouse of buzzing reeds, tightly coiled grooves, and a spoken-word narrative that questions authenticity in a world of illusions. It’s the heart of the album, merging heady themes with streetwise bravado.

“Bottom Dollar” dives deep into shuffle jazz territory, melding jazz, blues, and funk into a gritty, groove-heavy jam. The horn punches hit like brass knuckles, while the bass and drums keep everything rolling effortlessly and cool.

For sheer motion, “Ride The Wave” delivers, propelled by cascading saxophones and a bassline that practically surfs through its changes. “Good Mourning” turns the clock back to classic swing, with just enough funk under the surface to keep things fresh.

Lyrical satire takes center stage on “Money Is My Only Religion,” a biting takedown of materialism delivered over a relentless funk groove. Underhill’s spoken-word passages and Stich Wynston’s backing vocals add to the wit and punch.

The unexpected gem, “Scala Rosa,” unfolds with colorful, harmonically rich passages that feel whimsical and intricate. The shifting textures and off-kilter funk-jazz stylings.

Closing out the album, “Run The World” channels four decades of high-energy jazz-funk spirit into one raucous finale. Horns wail, the rhythm section ignites, and the whole thing surges forward like a band refusing to let time slow them down.

With Are You Really Real?, Shuffle Demons reaffirms they thrive on the edge of spontaneity while maintaining the precision of master musicians. It’s a project that displays their chemistry, and after 40 years, they still sound like a band playing because of the sheer joy of it. For anyone who loves jazz brimming with funk, fire, and a strong dose of fun, this album is an essential listen.