A Band of Bees

Like fellow Astralwerkers the Beta Band, A Band of Bees' Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher operate in the hazy zone between electronica and rock. Previously, the Isle of Wight duo forged excellent organic funk in various outfits for Holistic Records. A Band of Bees is a more eclectic, song-oriented venture; but even though it's more accessible, something special has been lost in the group's transition to consumer-friendliness. Sunshine Hit Me peaks at its halfway point with a reverent cover of Jorge Ben's tropicalia classic "A Minha Menina." The Ennio Morricone-Beach Boys homage "Sunshine" and the Latin-funk stroll "Angryman" amply display the Bees' deft chops and tunefulness, but the second half of Sunshine Hit Me sinks into a torpor of pleasant ballads and meditative, keyboard-intensive instrumentals. And the finale, "You Got to Leave," is a misguided detour into groin-thrusting Rolling Stones rawk that wipes out any good vibes the Bees had accrued.