Let’s get this out there first: this is not an album one sits quietly with; this is not an album one needs to “understand” – though that is not to say that it is without interest; this is an album of eclectic and powerful sound that fizzes with energy, groove and vibrancy; this is an album with one foot in the roots of the brass band music of New Orleans and the other in global influences that just happen to suit the music of The Brass Funkeys.
Over several years of stage shows, our band sound has really evolved to be more raucous and rowdy than ever before, really pushing the boundaries of what modern brass music can be. With BLOW HORN! we’ve tried to capture the energy and experience of a live show, through an intense three day writing retreat; honing the tracks through multiple gigs; before recording them in one live room with minimal takes and edits. We’re really proud of the album and can’t wait to share it with the world!
Stewed sets up BLOW HORN! well. From the outset it is the sousaphone of John Caddick that anchors this tune and gives all the tracks on the album a solid bass around which the other musicians play. I do not intend to go through each of the tracks in detail, but I will pick out what I consider to be some of highlights such as the trumpet solo on Harvey Barnes.
Genie In A Bottle is the first of two tracks not written by band members. This Christine Aguilera number works well in this format and the sousaphone/drum section breaks the brass band sound nicely. I enjoyed the way that the band move around the central theme of My Pal Aaron Cheeney – I also very much enjoyed drumming of Harpul Mudhar and the percussion section from Fred Harper. Dave Robinson’s tenor sax on Half Half And Half brought a class, contemporary jazz feel to the brass sound over which he plays. A Song For Lotte has a great, bright, uplifting Caribbean vibe, which is a contrast to Judy Hench which, for me, has a heavier cinematic quality about it before the sax breaks out and does its own thing.
On Parade, like so many of the tracks, is built around a solid central theme, which Harpul Mudhar breaks through with a short drum section before Christos Stylianides adds a blistering trumpet solo. Spice Up Your Life (the second of the two tracks not written by the band) is great fun, contains some “Spice Up Your Life” vocals from the band, and is very well arranged by Jack Banjo Courtney. There is a delightful percussion solo and, of course, that thick sousaphone sound from John Caddick – quite possibly this track out spices the Spice Girls.
The opening of The Hanging Man reminded me of the Australian band Cat Empire and the carnival vibe they, like this tune, portray so well. Walk Off continues with this feeling with the added bonus of the Pete Thornton trombone solo. Drums and percussion on this number also stand out in the way that they keep the tune rolling forward. The final track belongs to Sybil, who on the album sleeve is name checked as the studio’s dog. Dave Robinson plays yet another terrific sax section and if this tune reflects Sybil’s character the she is one fun dog to have around.
With this album the band wanted to “capture the energy and experience of a live show”. Well the energy is there in spades but I can not help feeling that the Brass Funkeys’ sound would best be experienced live, and I sincerely hope that one day I get the opportunity to do just that. In the meantime, I shall await the warmer weather before throwing the windows wide open and sharing this joyous music with all who pass my house on their way to wherever. After-all, why should I be the only one to revel in this glorious sound of brass!
Musicians: Jack Banjo Courtney, Rob Smith, Rob Jericho (trumpet), Tom Green, Vij Prakash (trombone), Dave Robinson (tenor sax), John Caddick (sousaphone), Harpal Mudhar (drums), Fred Harper (percussion) Christos Stylianides (trumpet on track 8), Pete Thornton (trombone on track 11).
Tracklist: 01 – Stewed; 02 – Harvey Barnes; 03 – Genie In A Bottle; 04 – My Pal Aaron Cheeney; 05 – Half Half and Half; 06 – A Song For Lotte; 07 – Judy Hench; 08 – On Parade; 09 – Spice Up Your Life; 10 – The Hanging Man; 11 – Walk Off; 12 – Sybil
SimplyJazzTalk 