G. Love And Special Sauce

The special sauce is just ketchup and mayo mixed together.

this is like if "guy who brings guitar to a party" was an entire band

Not very good 90s music. A must-listen to understand how mediocre some music can be.

I feel like if you were heavy into this guy, you might also be curious about bath salts?

I can enjoy 1-2 songs, listen to 4-5 of them, but by 6 I'm ready to drive off an overpass.

We’re on over 175 albums, and I keep going back to the title of this project. 1001 albums to listen to… before I die? THIS is an album I need to listen to? Before I die???? Didn’t like. I think there are better bands that do some of this. Give me any early Dispatch song, any record on any album, over this. This just feels like what is playing in a random coffee shop in Cambridge 20 years ago. I could tolerate it in that environment, but that’s as far as your gonna get me onboard. I found it monotonous and kind of tiresome. It does feel very adjacent to things I like, as a Vermonter. But that doesn’t make me like it. 2/5

I had never heard of this before, but my hopes were not high for this eponymously titled 90s white boy hip hop album by G. Love and Special Sauce. However, I should not judge an album by it's cover, nor its awful artist name, nor its generally questionable genre. This is reminiscent of music by Dirty Projectors with vocals by the Hiphopopotamus vs. the Rhymenoceros, and is really quite good (at least for the first 40 minutes or so). Cool, jazz infused, music with a great double bass sounding baselines, and easy enough vocals. At an hour long it could have done with losing the final third, which started to be a bit of a slog, but overall, I'm pleasantly surprised. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Blues Music Date listened: 08/07/23

Ah here's a band that I've heard so many references to, but have never actually heard a song from. Based on festival attendance, they run in a similar circle to the jam / indie bands that I like. The Things That I Used To Do opens up with a Cage the Elephant style spoke word snarl (understanding that these guys are predecessors). Super crunchy texture that I like out of the gate. Satisfying drum line with an equally comfortable bassline. Not something that would be single territory, but a low-key jam fit for a college house party. Blues Music takes over with a similar spoken word style through a reducer on top of a lazy drum and bass line. Creates a very chilled out atmosphere. Good music for munching Doritos. Garbage Man brings a little more attitude to the mix. This is about as head-bobbing as this album has gotten so far. I'm once again stricken by how similar this feels to Cage The Elephant. Digging the atmosphere. This would probably make for an awesome show song. Eyes Have Miles is a noodly number that stays in the same atmosphere. Instrumental is reminiscent of some less bright jazz / surf rock (mei ehara, robohands). Baby's Got Sauce flips into some bright guitar strokes and the most didactic vocals of the album so far. This is music tailor made for a middle of the day backyard summer kegger. I'm a little surprised this is the most popular song according to Spotify. Its a fine tune, but I actually prefer their more laid back songs so far. The chorus is kind of rough IMO. Rhyme for the Summertime is more effective IMO. It taps into the snare-tap drum beat paired with a surfy guitar tone that while brighter than most songs is still disappointed (minor) sounding. Feels similar to Mac Demarco a la This Old Dog. Cold Beverage is another head bobbing jam. Guaranteed crowd favorite that I'm sure helps to boost bar tabs. Simple concept, but honestly it works on the rawness of it all. Fatman follows this on with a fun little jam that lets things open up with a harmonica riff. Ends with some loose guitar noodling that segues into more reserved This Ain't Living. This Ain't Living feels like a more typical rock structure out of the gate; very effectively done. Walk To Slide is another standout in my mind. Love the lugubrious bassline that keeps things flowing / sliding all the way through. The echo on top of the sparkly guitar is a nice effect as well. This and Garbage Man are my favorites so far. Some Peoples Like That and Town To Town are both way down tempo crawls. Heavy blues influences shining through both. I enjoy both songs for what they are. Album finishes out with a traditional stripped down blues song with sparse acoustic guitar and hand clap making up the composition. This is a really pretty song and so far from where the rest of the album has been. I really enjoyed this album and see the appeal of G. Love. This is a rough and crunchy album that shows a decent amount of range, from the spoken word, almost rap like deliveries to traditional blues. Many of the songs sound like they are made for backyard barbeques or smoking a joint and watching cars drive by. I will absolutely come back for another listen. 4 leaning towards 5 / 5.

G. LOVE!!!!!!!!!! I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the app and saw this album. Every party I went to from the mid 90s to the early aughts, this album was played at some point. Doesn’t matter where, Center City, University City, South Philly, the Great Northeast, and the burbs. I can’t believe this album is on this list. I’m breaking my 5 star rule. It’s supposed to be 5 stars go to the greatest albums of all time. I don’t know how many I will hand out but I gotta imagine it’ll be less than 10% Maybe around 5%, I dunno. This is not one of the greatest albums of all times. But it’s one of the most fun. It takes me back to a great time in my life. It’s getting 5 stars. I love me some G Love and Special Sauce. I can’t believe this is is on here.

Never heard of this guy, but, despite a couple of duff tracks, I really like his scrappy, laid-back sound. Beck without the weirdness, or Fun Lovin' Criminals without the cringe, or Beastie Boys without the boyish aggression.

just the worst

What trying too hard to be cool sounded like in the 90’s

This album sounds like Rage Against the Machine if the rage was less about anger and more about just getting drunk and playing music with your buddies.

The bluesy pseudo hip hop from the early-mid 90s really works for me. This is like a stripped down Beck from his Mellow Gold era. Best track: Cold Beverage

Got a bit too samey too quickly for me.

I FUCKING LOVE RIMSHOTS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 God damn this album is fucking cool. The blues/rap fusion is genius and I'm shocked it didn't become the standard. It's a match made in heaven

So 90s but in the best way. This album does "sloppy" better than nearly anyone. It doesn't feel lazy, it feels incredibly intentional. So many slacker anthems here.

I like the sloppy, kind of jazzy hip hop feel of the band. The vocal delivery is pretty unique, like someone free styling while coming out of anesthesia, very laid back but kinda mumbled and somewhat hard to understand.

At this stage of the 1001 if we get more hip hop it better be alt. This one is and is enjoyable even as background music which is how I listened to it

Not the biggest of fans but mostly enjoyed this.

There was a time in my life that I may have liked this more, but its not now

Could I get a cold beverage? I need some leverage It's sweaty outside, some lemonade would be nice Or a Sprite from the drive-thru at B.K. Yo, I'll buy a girl a drink, but girl's got to pay On the front porch, yeah, I got some iced tea If you'd like a taste of tea, then come along with me Summertime is steamin', don't give me no bug juice Grab some ice and a dash of vermouth It's martini time, yeah, yeah, feeling golden Bring your own beverage, just make sure it's cold Enough said, really. This is a great album. 5/5

I really like this album! It's like bluesy hip-hop. The guitar is excellent

Loved this album! I'm not sure i ever listened to the whole thing...but wow...it was great!

At first I was annoyed this was the album I had for the day my twins were born because it was something I had never heard of and sampling it for a bit made it sound like something I would hate. But then I actually found two seconds out of my first week with the babies and relax to this album. It was actually really weird in the best way. Weird as in unique. I actually appreciated the weird inflections of some of the words being sung (said? Rapped?). I ended up enjoying every song on this album.

Very interesting, I dig it.

This was formative album for me. It stands on its own but I also appreciate it since it got me curious about other blues and New Orleans influenced music. What a generational icon for the Philly area too

Pure vibes

I just totally love this, it's so musical. Saw G. Love perform the whole album last year, still accompanied by the Special Sauce. It was amazing.

Another great find through this project. I have never heard of this group but the record was just so good! Thanks for showing it to me.

I was not familiar with this album, but it is my kind of jam.

I’d give this a 5+. Awesome album. Loved the rhythm and the bass all the way through.

G. Love! One of the coolest sounds ever made.

5 stars, funky and fresh.

Surprisingly enjoyable. His voice wasn't the best, but the music was great.

Loved this album, never heard of them before

Very much and album of its time. The Slacker blues-jazz meets hip hop sloppy sound seems to have hit an epoch in '94 with similar sounding Beck and Bran Van 3000 popping up independently at the same time. I forgot how much I loved this post grunge break from seriousness

Still a banger

One of my favorite albums and artists of all time. Such a phenomenally talented musician.

Throughly enjoyed this one

LOVE it

5/5 Ska-ey and hip hop-ey, love it

9/10 crazy good, like beastie boys meets bob dylan

Oh hell yeah dog this is what I'm talking about. A great example of a band that make being tight as fuck seem laid back and effortless. His voice is something else too. The whole thing exudes cool. I'm always trying to figure out what my definition of cool is, and this fits what ever that definition is. It feels like they hit something very special that so many 90s bands either totally overshot or way undercooked. Other bands who hit the same mark: Sublime, President of the United States of America, Beastie Boys... I sense a playlist coming on.

I actually love this album. I'm not sure it really counts as "hip hop" but it also doesn't fall cleanly into any genre - which is what makes it cool. It's simple, it's fun, it's well-executed. What's not to love?

Absolutely LOVED this - been listening to it now for days...

Fun album

already heard it so many times

I'm surprised they didn't get more popular, because this is the White Stripes before the White Stripes.

loved this

I love G. Love and Special Sauce! It's a cool modern take on blues music. But despite loving it so much, it seems out of place on this list.

3.5 Love the laid back atmosphere and groove on this album. It had been years since I've listened to it. Don't get all the harsh reviews. I like cold beverages too! 🍻

Not bad actually. Pleasantly surprised. Super listenable. Not a single skip and a lot of songs I really like including Baby’s Got Sauce. Rap infused with a groovy beat poetry sound.

Ik moest even wennen aan de rare stem, maar eigenlijk is dit best lekkere crossover van rap en rauwe blues, met veel vette percussie.

Normaal haat ik die luie zang. En helemaal verantwoorden voor mijzelf, waarom ik het nu wel fijn vind, lukt me nu niet. In elk geval voelt het echt en past de zang bij de relaxtere muziek. Het heeft iets van de Fun Lovin' Criminals, maar dan met wat minder power-uitschieters. Prima plaatje.

Ik dacht dus dat ik wel eens van de naam gehoord had via Eric, maar die ontkent in alle toonaarden. Het is wel 'rielekste muziek', zou wel in zijn straatje moeten passen. Maar dan zal het wel via Dunnen zijn ofzo. Het zit een beetje in de hoek van Fun Lovin Criminals, Everlast. Ik vind dit heel chill om te luisteren, een lui gitaartje, luie zang. Alsof ze lekker met elkaar aan het jammen zijn, maar niks hoeft, alles mag. Bluesy met een hiphopvibe. Hele fijne crossover. Ik zou er bijna een 5 voor kunnen geven, maar het mist nog net dat hitje. Want de 'hitjes' die er op staan, komen me eigenlijk ook maar vaag bekend voor.

So chill, love it.

Really liked!

I have never really paid much attention to this band, despite having heard of them. I really liked the three piece / trio arrangement in the band, and I REALLY enjoyed listening to the bassist and drummer who are obviously jazz musicians play a unique take on... whatever you call this. I was surprised I liked this as much as I did. I'll for sure add this album and more from the band to my own collection

Honestly pretty interesting and unique.

One is always surprised to enjoy this as much as one does, but it's critical to remember that this came out long before a bunch of tiresome adjacent acts (from the White Stripes to Jack Johnson to white rappers generally) embraced this for inspiration. This was early in the DIY revolution, which one didn't necessarily love, given one's trust in experts generally. Not terrible, but will get increasingly less above average as time goes by, one fears.

On the first bars of the first track I was prepared to write off this album as a dismal mess. However - there's something about it that seems to come from nowhere. I'm not sure I could describe it as good as much as compelling. It makes you want to hear more, see where it's going to next. I should probably come back to this at a later date and give it another go. There is an obvious love shown for the influences here, in a way that almost makes you think that the G is short for "genuine"..

I can't believe all the low ratings for this album. This is really a gem. Unique style and just a fun time. Nothing too deep, just singing about stuff he likes: Blues Music, Cold Beverage, Shooting Hoops, etc. No need to think too hard about it, just bob your head and enjoy.

Never heard of this before but I actually like it! Sounds like a mixture of RHCP & White Stripes.

Simpatico, buon sottofondo 3.5

4/5

A bluesy, folk melange withg a touch of hip hop on top.

awesome stuff

Did not know them. They are chilled, imprecise but in a way that it works. I like a lot how the drums are mixed. Haha, that snare …

I'll admit total bias. I lived in Cambridge MA for a while and used to go to the Plough and Stars, a local watering hole, and these guys played in the area quite a bit, would hang out at the bar before and after their sets. Fun music, great people.

It is a laid-back, funky blend of blues, hip-hop, and rock. G. Love's soulful vocals and harmonica playing blend perfectly with the band's infectious grooves. While the album's casual vibe might not be for everyone, it's a perfect soundtrack for a relaxed summer day.

This was an interesting listen. Definitely a weird amalgam of blues and hip-hop, but it really clicked with me. 4/5!

I enjoyed this more than I did back in the 90's

This was a really cool blend of a couple styles, and was pretty different to any album I've heard before. I probably wouldn't choose to listen to this again, but I enjoyed it while it was on.

I know this album is probably not objectively great, but it has a very soft spot in my heart because I listen to G. Love and Special Sauce obsessively when I was a teenager.

catchy! 4s? Reminds me a lot of jack johnson.

I like it, some Beasty Boys vibes, rythm section is amazing and grooves like crazy. Nice blend of blues and rap.

Actually kinda dope

wow that snare tone is CAVERENOUS on the Opening track.

Straight ahead blues with a bit of 90s in there

Great album. Very creative in its songs.

The Beckstie Boys.

A cool one! Just a really cool vibe with the straight funk mixed with rap aesthetics. Wouldn't mind coming back to it tbh. 7/10

I’d heard of them but never listened to them. I really enjoyed it. Although it’s dated and might be considered appropriate now, it’s funky and fun, much like the Fun Lovin Criminals, who I love.

G. Love and Special Sauce is the debut album by G. Love & Special Sauce, originally released in 1994. A lot of people are probably wondering why this record is included on this list. I'm a Philly native and these guys are huge here. I wasn't alive in the 90s but my parents played this record constantly. It was/still is all over the radio too. G. Love really kinda made his own sound. Huge slacker vibes with a bit of dub influence? Sometimes blues, sometimes jazz, sometimes indie. I really love how eclectic his style is. Reminds me a bit of Beck but not as weird. I don't know too much about his fanbase but I feel like a lot of the stoner/jam band Phish heads would love this band. Super fun album.

Chill 🔥slaps mellow throughout

Groovy with a bit of a Sublime/311-esque vocal flow. Love the instrumentals. 4.5

Not what I expected after 30 years of knowing the name but not taking steps to listen to GL&SS. A nice low-key vibe that is more stripped down than Fun Lovin' Criminals. I'll now dive deeper into this, kind of the point of this whole project.

enjoyed this way more than I thought I would

Really enjoyed the funk and blues feel here. Fun album

not at all what I was expecting, but rather enjoyed it.

I've never heard of G. Love and Special Sauce. This was entertaining enough. I'm not sure though about their controversial take on Cold Beverages.

I recognized the group name when this appeared and much to my surprise found this album already in my music collection along with three other albums from G. Love and Special Sauce. This came from the early 2000s when I ripped my and my boyfriend’s music collection in the move to digital. Once I was listening to this I did recognize a lot of it. I never really got into this group but I do appreciate the sound.

Fun.

Garbage Man // Eyes Have Miles //

Very funky, down and dirty in Philly. Not an artist I had heard of before, but one I certainly enjoyed. A clear influence, in my mind at least, on Fun Lovin Criminals and Cage the Elephant, and a few others who fused rock, funk and rap-sung vocals. A cracker

Pretty incredible stuff. I'm uncertain how this passed me by in the 90's; I must have been too wrapped up in the Seattle sound. Very reminiscent of Beck, but in a less organized, more "dirty" way.

Reminded me of a british sublime

This is nice.

Great unplugged-indie sound. Did not know the band and it is definitely a great discovery and addition to my playlist.