California's Royal Jelly Jive has a name that evokes the 1930s and 1940s, which is ideal in that their music is firmly rooted in the aesthetics of that era, while blending in bluesy rock guitars. Don't mistake the group for just another swing revivalist, however. Royal Jelly Jive brings elements from swing and prohibition era jazz into the modern age by blending those sounds with blues, rock and even hip-hop in the groovy bits. Dear Mr. Waits goes more for a straight blues swing and it s an irresistible, slinky, sexy song celebrating the work of fellow Sonoma County resident Tom Waits. --Sarah Zupko, PopMatters

In Royal Jelly Jive's new album, Stand Up, jazzy, cabaret sounds blend with hints of funk, traces of rock, and smidgens of soul to create a unique album that is every bit as retro as it is modern. Because if there's one thing you should know about this San Francisco/Petaluma-based band, it's that they're not a throwback act. The sextet, which includes accordion, clarinet, trombone, saxophone, and upright bass, formed in 2013 through stints at the Boom Boom Room. Many of the musicians were in different bands at the time and they met through residencies at the venue, eventually coalescing as Royal Jelly Jive by July. Stand Up, premiered today on SF Weekly, is the act's sophomore release and their first album to be recorded in an official studio (Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Sonoma County) with production by Grammy Award-nominated producers Andre Zweers and Judy Kirschner. The upbeat, dance-inducing album is rife with stories culled from Bjelde's and Adam's lives, with songs about falling in love in San Francisco, being influenced by Tom Waits, the impact of neighborhood characters, and standing up for who you are and what you believe in. --Jessie Schiewe, SFWeekly

When an act defines itself as combining elements of soul, rock, swing and hip-hop, it s hard not to raise a questioning eyebrow that this isn t some misguided attempt to throw every kind of hip style against the musical wall and see what sticks. Fortunately, this San Francisco based six-piece actually delivers on that histrionic description and after spending 54 insanely enjoyable minutes with the group s sophomore release, you can also add blues, jazz and even some folk to their already distinctive mix. But just tossing all these elements into a bowl and stirring isn t enough; you need solid songs and sharp production to effectively contain that eclectic fusion. And a terrific, compelling vocalist doesn't hurt either. That s where Royal Jelly Jive excels. Ten out of these dozen tracks are originals that kick in with memorable melodies. They not only contain the varied genres but effectively drive the groove in any number of directions without falling down musical rabbit holes. Add front woman vocalist Lauren Bjelde who, while clearly indebted to Amy Winehouse, manages to morph elements of Billie Holiday and Rickie Lee Jones into her wildly emotive singing to yield a peppy, euphoric and vivacious attack that pushes these already vibrant songs into aural overdrive. From the swinging Railroad Tracks to the pre-war bar room sway of Ride the Wave and the appropriately titled old-school clarinet driven, funky rhythm of Top Hat, Royal Jelly Jive delights in creating a danceable vibe that defies easy description. Two covers from the unlikely sources of Tom Waits (the deep album track Green Grass ) and Primus ( Tommy the Cat ) further testify to how far ranging the band s influences are. Production by Bjelde and co-leader/multi-instrumentalist Jesse Lemme Adams (both also write the original material) keeps a firm grip on what could be a cacophonous clutter from a band that also features two horn players. That results in flawlessly crafted songs where subtlety, as in the bluesy torchy, New Orleans funeral inspired Little One and the closing Waits ballad stripped down to just acoustic guitar and skeletal piano, is a key ingredient. It s not often you can call an album and band jubilant, but it s hard to find a better adjective for this outfit that combines so many aspects of American music with skill, virtuosity and a joyful approach that s clearly from the heart. Stand Up will make you do exactly that in addition to giving you hope this group is just starting a career that will find them exploring their already creative, boundary stretching sound even further. --Hal Horowitz, American Songwriter