It’s 8:30pm, time for sound check, “This place is pretty small” is the spoken sentiment shared amongst members of Dutch band Kraak & Smaak (a Dutch phrase meaning crunchie and tastee, not C & H). Well, what the band will lack in numbers tonight they will make up for in prestige since this venue is the legendary 18th Street Lounge in Washington DC, the swank night spot that launched international giants Thievery Corporation to name just one. The group, a trio in the studio, tour as a 6 piece band and this evening they are kicking off their US tour on the heels of the release of their sophomore CD, Plastic People.

The album is a well-produced collage of electronic diversity ranging from Break Beat Funk, down tempo, to House music. It works well on CD but even better when experienced live. The show begins with about 45 minutes of frenetic dance tracks including new song “Bobby & Whitney” and ending with the first single off of Plastic People, “Squeeze Me” (featured in the most recent Rhapsody.com TV ad). If the band was looking to get off easy they could have ended there, but instead, they take time to bring the tempo down with a set featuring the stand out O Brother, Where Art Thou meets Massive Attack style track “Man of Constant Sorrow”. The cool out was quickly followed by an intense rendition of Plastic banger “Ain't Gonna Take It No More” which easily got the room of scenesters, fans, and 18th Street regulars hopping up and down like it was high school gym class all over again. After 20 more minutes of funk and electro-soul Kraak & Smaak concluded their show, no doubt converting a majority of the club goers into instant believers. This is a must see ticket this Fall season. Log on to www.KraakSmaak.com to find out when they hit your city.