CD Review: Underground Horns – a groove that seems to flow throughout its entirety contributing to the musical coffee vibe and making it the kind of music you can joyfully clean your house to

Underground Horns ALMOST BLUE CD coverArtist: Underground Horns
Title: Almost Blue
Label: selfproduced
Genre: brass band playing Afro-Funk/Bhangra/New Orleans grooves and beyond.

CD review by Dante Mann

There is something different about Brooklyn based brass band the Underground Horns and their new album, Almost Blue. It has a pleasing freshness, and part of that is down to the way they have blended New Orleans Jazz, Ethio Jazz, Afro Funk, and obscure hints of Balkan music. Their smooth blend of these genres brought together in a subtle, textured way, makes for a good listen all of the way through. The album features Welf Dorr (alto sax, bass clarinet), Patriq Moody (coronet), Kevin Moehringer (trombone), Andrew McGovern (trumpet), Channel Crichlow (tuba), Kevin Raczka (drums), and Okai Fleurimont (djembe, vocals, whistle).

Almost Blue begins with a cover of jazz standard “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”, by Charles Mingus. This is one of the better covers I’ve heard of the song and I think it is a great choice as the first song on the album, it’s like musical coffee. The percussion (to hear the percussion at it’s best, I suggest track 9, “Rag a Tone”) on this album establishes a groove that seems to flow throughout its entirety contributing to the musical coffee vibe and making it the kind of music you can joyfully clean your house to.

Almost Blue is primarily instrumental but my favorite track happens to be the one with lyrics, “Creole” in which djembe player Okai Fleurimont sings in Haitian Creole. On this track, the horns reach an apex of harmony, expression, and tonal balance. Although the vocals add another dimension to this song, the reason I find this track to be great is because of its pace and syncopation. I’m reminded of the rhythm and haste of a wild animal scurrying across a meadow towards the safety of its forest home.

The track (if I had to pick one) that best represents the scope of sound on this album is track 6, “Full Moon”. If you like “Full Moon”, chances are, you’ll find enjoyment with Almost Blue.

In conclusion, I highly recommend drinking a cup Underground Horns’ Almost Blue.

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Concert Review: Underground Horns’ performance exuded superlative musical skill

Coming Concert

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014
Time: 11:45pm
Venue: Nublu (62 Ave C, NY)
Ticket: $10