‘I Learned The Hard Way’ is the fourth release from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings on Brooklyn’s independent home of great soul sounds, Daptone Records.
This new record marks a bold step forward for a band that has, almost single-handedly, stewarded today's return of soul music to its more traditional sound. From the lush Philly-Soul fanfare that ushers in “The Game Gets Old” at the top of the album, to the stripped down Sam Cooke-style “Mama Don't Like My Man” at the tail, the Dap-Kings dance seamlessly through both the most crafted and simple arrangements with subtlety and discipline.
“The record drips with a warmth and spontaneity rarely found since the golden days of Muscle Shoals and Stax. Sharon’s raw power, rhythmic swagger, moaning soulfulness, and melodic command set her firmly alongside Tina Turner, James Brown, Mavis Staples, and Aretha as a fixture in the canon of soul music.” - Pop Matters.
