The Intersection: The Sandals

The Sandals (group; 1994)

The Sandals were an unfortunately short-lived Acid Jazz band from the mid-nineties. While influenced more by soul jazz they were of the first and few Acid Jazz bands to sign to a major label and have a moderately successful hit with "Feet" (the other major hit makers of the period were Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai). The London based quartet emerged out of the burgeoning club scene with their only album, Rite To Silence (Universal).

Rite To Silence utilized a wonderful mixture of percussion and jazzy rhythms that were definitely ahead of the curve. This to me, was a real precursor to the electronica/trip hop/drum n' bass scene that would follow, led by artists like Roni Size, Portishead, Rae & Christian, et al. Rite To Silence is a deep, heavy groove leaden album that quickly become infectious. It's a real disappointment that The Sandals didn't have a chance to really make it big. I think their creativity and inventiveness might have changed more than just the British underground scene. Rite To Silence is still available, surprisingly. If you don't find it in your local record shop you can definitely find it available as a download.