Guillaume & Carneiro of Soul Sugar play live.

What’s not to like about a band that takes its name from a Jimmy McGriff record and is calls Paris Montmartre their home? Led by keyboard player Guillaume Méténier, who specializes in vintage keyboards such as Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, and especially in the B3 Hammond organ, they are raising eyebrows in more than just their name. Méténier is a disciple of Dr. Lonnie Smith (who he regularly studies organ) and is influenced by great organ players from Jimmy Smith to Jimmy McGriff to Brother Jack Macduff to Booker T, Art Neville, Bernie Worrell, and Jackie Mitoo. Along with Thomas Naim on guitar, Yvo Abadi on drum and horn players Etienne de la Sayette on saxophone / flute, Sylvain Gontard on trumpet and Georges Philippe on trombone this trio (and then some) is making music like they used to, and boy is it good. Prior to Soul Sugar Méténier was involved in the French electronic/ live outfit Seven Dub, a staple in the French Cornerstone movement. Seven Dub remixed tracks for artists such as Femi Kuti, King Tubby vs. Horace Andy, and Sly and Robbie Among others. An im demand side man, Méténier has worked with the likes of The Last Poets, Tanger, Emilie Simon, Louis Chédid, Alain Bashung, Grant Phabao & Lone Ranger/Carlton Livingston, Gizelle Smith, Blundetto and French rock legend Johnny Hallyday. The new release from Soul Sugar is a combination of Psychedelic SoulJazz, Funky, and some early Reggae to bring the people a solid sound that never goes out of style, ya dig? Here is a preview of their Hands On EP as well as a full live set and one of their 7″ sides.

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