Every time we get a new Wonderwheel record at the Lab, two things are guaranteed. One is that it won't sound like much else out there, and two is that at least a couple of us in the HQ will be feeling it. That is a rare feat, as we hear so much new stuff coming in all the time and we're a big bunch of lovable haters. It's super hard to hate on anything that Nickodemus has his hands in, though – he's just that nice. Sure enough, this stuff sounds pretty unique to my ear. First of all, I thought maybe I was supposed to be playing the record at 45, but then I realized that this funk burns slow like a too-tight joint. "PJT's(1)" sets the tone with a deliberate build up and a steady swagger. As Nick says on the cover, it's a world of "funky grooves, clever lyrics & overall good feeling." "Tea Time(2)" takes us deeper into this realm and takes me back to sipping opium tea on a Western Massachussetts porch. Tingles and Pringles allll day. The entire B-side is filled out nicely by "San Francisco Bound(3)," which actually does play at 45 (and it's still a slow cooked rotisserie affair). By the end I was about to start shouting for more cowbell, and then more cowbells came in! These compositions are tight with insight. Unique tunes for your personal upliftment are always a rare find, so don't sleep on these Pimps. It's Joytime, suckas.

reviewed by Telekinetic Kat