Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hip Hop, funk, brass, 17 Jun 2006
I first heard this band at the Edinbourgh Festival 2005. My friend and I heard them playing from about half a mile away, and so we naturally sought them out. I was absolutely blown away by this band; the energy of their tunes was incredible and the tunes had the entire crowd jumping. I immediately decided to buy an album, and it has stayed close to the top of my record pile ever since.
The Youngblood Brass Band, as the name suggests, are a group of brass players, with saxaphones, trumpets, trombones and a sousaphone to provide the bass line. There are also two percussionists to provide the drums, and with such a large line-up you expect a lot of big, exciting tunes.
Undoubtedly one of the best tunes on this album is "Brooklyn", a fast-paced non-vocal piece that carries you away. Most enjoyable is the "scratching" effect done by the sousaphone - if you haven't seen them perform live then you would swear that they have a dj to produce the sound, but it is entirely made by the brass. Round One is also a high-octane piece that gets the blood pumping.
The group is also inspired by hip hop, as is evident in the song "Is An Elegy"; a piece of rap lightly underscored by the brass that builds to a crescendo.
However, whilst I really like the album which has a number of great tunes, e.g. Diaspora and Avalanche, there is something lacking - and I only worked out what it was once I bought their album of live performances, "Live Places". The fact is that the energy of the band, so obvious and apparent in live performances, fails to come through in the recording studio. Listen to the live performance of "Brooklyn" and it will blow you away; listen to the studio version and whilst it is enjoyable, it is not nearly as memorable.
This is a good album with a lot to recommend about it, particularly if you enjoy fresh, original music; and with its transcending of genres there is plenty for all to savour. However, to fully realise the energy of the band I would recommend that you get their album "Live Places" - but, having said that, this is still a top album by a talented group.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Supercharged trip through spectrum of jazz, hiphop, funk, rap and big band, 16 Feb 2008
These guys played in the foyer of the North Sea Jazz Festival one year, and drew the crowds so that it was hard to get in and out of the venue. When you hear this album you will understand why. The sound they produce will force you to stop and listen - a supercharged, unusual and innovative use of sound - mixing classic and modern styles - creating something entirely new. Once a year one bumps into something new and great that truly moves the boundaries of what one thinks possible. This is one of those experiences.
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~ Youngblood Brass Band
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