in Too Deep

Even if some hooks inevitably get stuck in your head, Crashcaptains especially shine on detours, when they take the long route, lose themselves, sink their teeth. A large part of the album was recorded live. Crashcaptains have grown together and gained self-confidence. They dare to leave room for risks. In hindsight, many supposed mistakes turned out to be strokes of good fortune. "In Too Deep" is a colorful, dynamic album with attention to detail and strong songs, which still reveal something new even after the third or fourth rendering.

An undercover cop goes too deep into the Cincinnati drug trade. The local drug lord, a man who calls himself God, controls all of the action in Ohio. As the cop moves up the ladder, he befriends the gangster, learns of his violent tendencies, but also sees him as a benefactor to the poor, a dedicated family man, and one who staunchly defends his friends. The cop's commanding officer fears that he has become too close to the gangster and will be unable to regain his identity, a fear that comes close to reality when the big bust ultimately happens.

Vocalist Sugaray Rayford blends the passion and power of the blues with the melodies of vintage soul and the earthy grooves of funk and R&B. Growing up in Texas, he first learned to perform in church, and if his sound changed with time, the fervor of his performances shows a clear connection to gospel traditions: He can sing songs with a message just as comfortably as he can tell listeners about good love and hard times.