G. Love & Special Sauce

Rock/pop

For 12 years, G. Love & Special Sauce -- Jeffrey Clemens, Garrett Dutton and Jimmy Prescott -- has remained Philly's secret weapon in the war of hip-hop vs. mediocrity, creating a boozy, bluesy, roots sound bound by loping beats, subtle melodicism and loopy, almost psychedelic innocence. The three haven't always stayed together (see side projects like All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel and Lottery) and they haven't had an album since 2001's The Electric Mile. "But now, we're playing our asses off together like motherfuckers," says Dutton (Mr. Love himself). It's a rebirth: new touring schedule, new label deal (with occasional playing partner Jack Johnson's label, Brushfire/Universal) and new CD, The Hustle. Co-produced by the trio and Mario Cataldo Jr. (the "fourth Beastie Boy," out of Philadelphonic Studios), The Hustle gets back to vintage Sauce. "It's that old front-porch sound we started with," says Dutton. "The reasons why G. Love were funky and fun, with a "Ph' in the first place." He tells listeners, old and new, to prick up their ears in particular for new songs like "Astronaut" ("dirty garage funk" with an early Stones vibe) and the title track. "Everything's a hustle but love, man," he says of the taut but laid-back track. "That's where my life, my lyrics and our music is at -- just trying to make the pieces fit, day to day." Hallelujah to that, hustler.

Tue., March 16, 9 p.m., $22.50, with Louque, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

—A.D. Amorosi

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