“Enveloping stage presence and palpable charisma.” – Rolling Stone

“JC Brooks looks and performs like a cross between Chuck Berry and H.R. of Bad Brains in their primes, but his skintight R&B and post-punk soul upend expectations of a retro act.”– Washington Post

“‘Howl’ is a soulful 50-minute experience that will rock listeners to the core.” – Aquarian Weekly

“JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound exemplify what previous Chicago soul musicians like Sam Cooke, The Five Stairsteps, The Dells, and countless others have projected-a send of community encapsulated and illustrated through emotional profundity that yearns for expression and admiration.” – Indie Shuffle

“The recording features group compositions, more personal songwriting and a wide sonic palette than the bands’s earlier efforts. The result is a mix of old school soul and funk grooves with lyrics that portray the complexities of modern life and relationships.” – ASCAP

“They’ve taken their self-described post-punk soul sound and added dark layers alongside the soulful grooves.” – CBC.CA