Hot 8 Brass Band
Big Tuba
*** out of *****
The new music from the GRAMMY nominated Hot 8 Brass Band was delivered under sad terms as the New Orleans outfit lost their sousaphone player and bandleader, Bennie Pete. The album, Big Tuba is a tribute to their fallen friend, who died way too young, as the band keeps the party rolling with heavy hearts.
The opening title track gets right to the matter at hand and states the band's purpose as the musical tribute finds the band rhyming and paying respects to their bandmate over pumping horn runs and infectious brass band sounds. This Second Line music is designed to be played live and while Big Tuba certainly delivers the band's style expertly, the true way to capture the groups magic is at The Howlin' Wolf, Sunday nights in New Orleans, or whatever live stage you can catch them.
The blaring horns and rumbling drums push "Fight Song" forward while the drumming and rhyming takes centerstage as the drinks and blunts flow on "La Jean (Largent)". The songs here all run long and allow for solo's, chanting and shoutouts as the group march on.
Two covers are on the record. Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine" is fantastic, as it uses a long instrumental opening before the verses are sung a touch mournfully, while a dynamite trumpet solo closes. Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" wraps up the record with smooth get down jams as the group locks in. Both are highlights as the band flows naturally around the classics.
Less successful is "Westlawn Dirge" as the band pays respect to the dead, but the drawn out number stops the flow of the record in its tracks. The energy gets back with the get down jam "Miss Alberta" while "Respect My Mind" delivers rhymes and a head bopping groove. "Midway" is an ode to the booty as "Shake That Ass" chants fly while the defiant "In The Place To Be" might be the best party song of the bunch.
Hot 8 Brass Band blows loud and strong for their former bandmate Bennie Pete, as they go long with their brass excursions, hip hop rhymes and second line style throughout the heartfelt Big Tuba.
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