Hot Border Special - Are You Ready? (2019)

It’s brilliant. I love the energy and instrumentation and most of all the playing, which is spot on!" - Matt Berry (Acid Jazz Records)

‘A vibrant and dynamic mixture of hot Latin rhythms and progressive funk. This album is one continuous journey, carrying the listener through streets of London, then to the sunny shores of the Caribbean and Brazil, or sometimes even lifts him high above the clouds.’ - Misha Panfilov (Funk Night Records)

‘Colourful, tight and well-measured mixture of every cool element that tickles any groove digger's ears - with every piece unfolding into an exciting musical trip. Highly recommended!’ - Markey Funk (Delights 45)

‘This record is my JAM LOVE it!!!’ - Shawn Lee (Ping Pong Orchestra/Young Gun Silver Fox)

“love this! exploitation grooviness at its finest !! A library record u pray to land in your lap” DJ Johnny Basil

Five years after their eponymous debut LP London's Hot Border Special return with a powerhouse album entitled ‘Are You Ready?’

With studio wizard Malcolm Catto (The Heliocentrics/Mulatu Astake/Gaslamp Killer/Hannah Williams) at the helm, recording took place at Malcolm’s Quatermass Sound in London, where the band recorded the freshest of tracks sure to inflict the severest head nod inducing whiplash!

Hot Border Special certainly aren't afraid to take risks, with heavy tracks like opener ‘Woo!’ a funk/rock/latin killer and Cop Drama funk of ‘Who is Tony Soap?’ - showcasing just how filthy a groove can get - contrasting effortlessly with the mellow beauty of ‘Good Egg Bad Egg’ or the funky Sly inspired ‘The Martha Strut'. They even take on classic Bollywood theme ‘Sholay’ and Mandrill's stonecold classic ‘Mandrill’ to thrilling effect.

‘Are You Ready?’ is a true representation of Hot Border Special’s Live show, displaying fantastic musicianship but never sounding in the least self-indulgent and with members from bands including The Heliocentrics, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, The Mighty Mocambos, Noisettes & JetTricks to name but a few. The very heaviest of drums and percussion from Dan Hale and Paul Elliott underpin the funkiest of bass from Jamie Lawrence and with Dan Smith’s soaring rock guitars let loose alongside James Beckett’s psychedelic keys, Hot Border Special have produced a surefire future classic. Truly powerful - you've probably heard nothing quite like it, the only question is...Are You Ready?!