"The truth is L.A.B keep it simple, get to the point and consistently deliver the goods" Stuff
While the world relaxed over the festive season, New Zealand five piece L.A.B accelerated to a cracking pace, garnering their first ever #1 album in New Zealand and gold certification, over 9 million streams on Spotify with their fourth studio LP, ‘L.A.B IV’ (December 19). Bringing in the new year playing to 15,000 fans, making history with a #1 album, #1 single, 3 albums in the top 10, 5 x singles in the top 10 in NZ.
The second single from the album ‘Why Oh Why’, has spent five weeks at #1 on the NZ Singles Charts and is certified gold.
The 12 tracks featured on L.A.B IV showcase the styles that have grown to be the L.A.B sound - reggae, funk, soul & blues effortlessly combining. ‘My Brother’, ‘Yes I Do’ & ‘Operator’ all embrace a 70’s funk/soul sound, accentuated by strings composed & performed by frequent-collaborators The Black Quartet. ‘Yes I Do’ & ‘Boy King’ also feature a live-horn section, showing the band becoming more comfortable expanding & pushing their sound.
L.A.B IV was recorded at the band’s home of the Surgery Studios in Wellington with Dr Lee Prebble, with yet another rigorous recording schedule resulting in the band living in the studio for weeks on end. With drummer Brad Kora heading up the production team of Prebble & bass player Ara Adams-Tamatea, the result is an album steeped in nostalgia, while sounding firmly rooted in the modern-day.
‘Why Oh Why’, ‘Boy King’ & ‘No Roots’ all bring L.A.B’s roots/reggae experience to the front, creating tracks which instantly feel like classic summer sing-alongs. ‘Never Give Up’, ‘IJDK’ & ‘My Baby’ bring together the harmonies that the band have become known for, while ‘Early Bird’ & ‘Natural’ show a softer-side.
Embracing the eclectic sound that has seen them grow into one of the most sought-after acts in New Zealand, L.A.B IV further solidifies L.A.B as one of NZ’s hardest-working acts with no signs of slowing down.
April 2021 will see the band return to Australia, with a five-date tour sold-out to a total audience of over 15,000.
L.A.B IV Track Listing:
My Brother
Why Oh Why
Boy King
Yes I Do
Never Give Up
No Roots
IJDK
Operator
My Baby
Early Bird
Natural
L.A.B are:
Ara Adams-Tamatea – Bass
Miharo Gregory – Keys
Brad Kora – Drums, Vocals
Stu Kora – Keys, Vocals
Joel Shadbolt – Guitar, Vocals
