G. Love & Special Sauce

G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Formed in 1992, the trio are know for their unique, "sloppy", and "laid back" blues sound that, that encompasses the sound/production of classic R&B and rap artists, like the Beastie Boys.

The trio released their first album; self titled, in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.

In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.

On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering of finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.

By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album showed to be similar with their debut album then previous release.

Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on a another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the trio, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, "Mile" was followed by extensive touring.

By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.

Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP.

Line-Up

• Garrett Dutton as G. Love (vocals, guitar, harmonica)
• Jimi Prescott as Jimi Jazz (string bass)
• Jeffrey Clemens as Houseman (drums)

Discography

Albums

• G. Love and Special Sauce (album) (1994)
• Coast to Coast Motel (1995)
• Yeah, It's That Easy (1997)
• Philadelphonic (1999)
• Electric Mile (2001)
• The Hustle (2004)

Compilations

• The Best of G. Love and Special Sauce (2002)

External links

• PHILADELPHONIC.com
• G. Love & Special Sauce
• G Love Song Lyrics