The first time I broke out an OTiS record, I was in public struggling to find the balance between enjoying the tunes and not annoying those around me.  This time I’m listening to their upcoming album Music Elevator at my desk – another place not fit for spontaneous table percussion.  Why do I do these things to myself?  Funk: not safe for work.

It’s probably not safe for elevators either, but they make it work.

“A New Addiction” indeed.  This track kicks off the Brooklyn band’s sophomore album with a dirty little groove that’s only rounded up later by Craig Alan’s desperate guitar cries and some smokey sax work. The soul is back, folks!

That gorgeous sax simmers down when it hits “How It Is” but shit really gets real as the third track of the album rounds the corner.  “Stuck” will have your hair blowing in the slow-motion wind as you stroll down a New York City street with your flared, polyester, Bow-chicka-wow-wow pants on.  This is exactly the funk that was getting me in trouble at my cubicle earlier.

“Making Love Easy” brings a quieter, more organic sound to Music Elevator, which makes the hair on my inner folk rock nerd’s neck stand on end.  (In a good way).  The gentle horns, loving keys and unplugged axe combined with Alan’s soulful singer-songwriter vocals suddenly make this a band fit to open for Jason Mraz.  If you’re into that sort of thing.

And if you are into that sort of thing, let “Sophia” rip your heart out.  You’ll thank me later.

“Automatic People” and “Bump” dance us back to the 70s again, “Can’t Explain” introduces this calm, wit-ridden traditional blues twang and “Reprise” leaves us with that jazz club glow as we get ready to go back to track one and hit play again.

I can use words like “soulful” and “funky” and “groovy” to describe this album, in fact, I think I did use some of those words.  But OTiS will have you bobbing your head, swaying your upper body, tapping your foot, waving your Mariah Finger around in the air, and scrunching your face up all “yeahhh, this is what I’m talking about.”  It’ll make you find a rhythm you never knew you even had. It’s music I hate writing about because creates a mood my words never could.

OTiS will be celebrating the album’s release in NYC with a show at Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) this Friday (Nov 18).  For a $10 cover you get awesome live tunage, good times with good friends and a free copy of the album!  Hello!

Download a free track from the record to wet your appetite before the show.  Go!

Here's some more for you:

1. OTiS: Self Titled
2. 1% For the Planet. The Music, Vol 1.
3. new music high