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I first caught the Baldwin Brothers about four years ago in Chicago. I can’t recall the exact location - it was either at a Wicker Park after-hours party or in one of the city’s better small clubs, both of which were regular stomping grounds for these boys when they were first starting out. Either way, what I do remember is being blown away by their contagious mixture of lounge and funk. Like most of their fans I had to get my Baldwin fix solely in their live performances, seeing as their studio CD seemed perpetually “in the works.” Three years in the works, as it turns out. But this year the Baldwin Brothers finally released their full-length debut CD, Cooking With Lasers. What was once an elusive entity in the minds of Baldwin fans is now a polished, multi-faceted album that captures the essence of this funky, quirky quartet. Having listened to this baby numerous times over, at various hours of the day and in many different mind-sets, I’m glad to say it was well worth the wait.
 As its title suggests, Cooking With Lasers is the result of blending organic jams with electronica. Think of it as solid drum & bass groove with some fine keyboards and quirky samples that often hearken to a different era. Each song has a distinct personality, and the album’s sound runs the gamut from hard-driving “junktronic” (a term coined by the Baldwins themselves) to dreamy, ethereal compositions... and nearly everywhere in between.
I have to admit that, initially, I was thrown off by the first track I heard from this release, the wonderful “Dream Girl” with fitting vocals by Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto. (Download this track from the Baldwin Brother’s website!) This was not the Baldwin style I knew. With vocals, no less? But a further listen got me hooked on the smooth bass lines, and I could clearly hear that this instrumental outfit was branching out in new directions, with fantastic results.
This album is an oddity in many ways. You would almost think you’re hearing several different CDs, by various different artists, within the course of a listen. The opening track “That's Right” nearly sends you back in time to a hi-fi era, then “Funky Junkyard” brings you to more of a boppin’ bluesy mode. “The Bionic Jam” practically defines “junktronic” while “Lava Lamp” features keyboards that are alternately lilting and tweaky, backed by solid drum beats. Then it’s back to the hi-fi era with “A Word From Our Sponsor/Slowly At First.”
Things take a more mellow turn with “Deep Down,” featuring vocals by Angie Hart of Frente. Again, the vocals (not to mention the song’s soft feel) kinda threw me off at first, but by now this tune has become one of my favorites on the album. Then suddenly the Baldwins kick it into high gear, beginning with the rockin’ “Viva Kneivel.” The next track, “Urban Tumbleweed,” was always one of their most irresistible jams; add some bad-ass vocals by underground hip-hop lyricist Barron Ricks and you got yourself a tasty track.
 “Somebody Else's Favorite Song” (could be one of mine) begins with lovely keyboards and then erupts with the help of fine, brassy horn arrangements. And “Ether,” featuring beautiful vocal work by Geri Soriano-Lightwood from Supreme Beings of Leisure, is smooth and soaring. Possibly my most-loved track, but with so many solid songs it’s very hard to choose. At the end of the album the boys brings it down a bit with “A Word From The Doctor/Are You There Margaret? It's Me God.” More pop references and righteous grooves from this talented and intriguing band of Baldwins.
If Cooking With Lasers in any indication, then it’s clear that Chicago’s Baldwin Brothers are really going places... and in many different directions! It’s good to see these hometown boys treading new ground, and hopefully more and more folks outside the Windy City are tuning into the fine pleasures of this highly original junktronic/groove/lounge ensemble. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
Margaret Pitcher
JamBase | San Francisco
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