CD Review: Brass Mask – Live

Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone), George Crowley (tenor saxophone), Rory Simmons (trumpet), Alex Bonney (trumpet), Nathaniel Cross (trombone), Dan Nicholls (organ & percussion), Theon Cross (tuba), Jon Scott (percussion) & John Blease (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Mardi Gras time down in the Servant Jazz Quarters. In 2015 Tom Challenger’s nine piece second liners played a gig at the Dalston, London jazz and cocktails venue, recorded it, and released it on the Babel Label as Brass Mask Live. Eight tracks, a little more than fifty minutes’ worth of music, a brass band on steroids. If you’re feeling down, ask your GP to write a prescription for some of what Brass Mask are on, it’ll prove the ideal tonic.

Challenger and George Crowley blow tenor, Rory Simmons and Alex Bonney blow trumpet, there’s a theme developing…Nathaniel Cross, trombone, and Theon Cross, tuba, blow. Brass Mask Live is something of a blowing session! Dan Nicholls’ chitlin’ circuit organ stirs it up and the percussionists Jon Scott and John Blease (and Nicholls) dance themselves to a standstill. Dance to the band live, or dance to the band in your kitchen as you’re cookin’ up a gumbo, Live is in the tradition – Rebirth, Dirty Dozen, Youngbloods, Northern Monkeys – with a twist…a dash of free-ish, electronic paprika added to the mix. Brass Mask Live is available on Babel Label (catalogue no. BDV15137).           

Russell.