Rob Smith, Matt Letts (trumpets); Tom Green, Vij Prakash (trombones); Dave Robinson (tenor); Rob Slater/John Caddick (sousaphones); Scott Jowett (drums); Chris Brice (percussion) + Jack Banjo Courtney (trumpet on 1 track); Chris Saunders (trombone on 2 tracks).
(Review by Lance).
The jazz brass band marching tradition may have begun in New Orleans at the turn of the last century but it has long since spread far beyond its Louisiana roots. In the northeast of England, the Northern Monkey Brass Band, nee Horndogs, have long been firm favourites. Moving further south, the New York Brass Band are familiar figures in and about Old York whilst, even further south again, London has the Brass Funkeys heard here on this, their second album.
The Funkeys have been around since 2011 during which time they have performed at Glastonbury, North Sea Jazz Festival, Bestival and very many other prestigious events both at home and abroad. Indeed their forthcoming tour includes a gig at Newcastle's Bar Loco on November 18.
The opening number, Goblins, is a composition by and featuring the strangely named [for a trumpet player] Jack Banjo Courtney. Courtney, whose fiery style has impressed at the Jazz Café jam sessions, is equally impressive here even though he only plays on this one track.
Pacha Mama: 'a visceral ode to mother nature's wrath' has Robinson let off the leash whilst David Battenberg's Life of Cakes is the soundtrack to a man stuffing himself full of baked goods in the middle of the rainforest. Slater blows the catchy sousa riffs on this one - perhaps Caddick was dining in the rainforest. Nice trumpet and trombone (Smith and Prakash?)
Dirty Harry sees Robinson blowing gutsy tenor over a Ska/Reggae rhythm with some band chanting to add to the mix. Asiro, another trombone/trumpet workout.
Thirteen tracks in all and not a dud in the box! There's no indication as to the horn soloists suffice to say they do the business and do it good.
Rabble Rouser? I'll say!
Lance.
Available Monday, September 18.
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