Unlock Your Mind

THE SOUL REBELS: Unlock Your Mind
Rounder, 2012

NEW ORLEANS – This funky brass band comes out of the tradition of modernized groups like the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Bands, but they have their own fresh vibe that’s heavy on dance-groove soul, with lots of hip-hop and some rock/pop in the mix too. All tracks FCC clean.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13

1. 4:38 – sweet groove: goodtime soul voc (Sean C); solo by Trombone Shorty
2. 5:07 – slow start; supercool cover of an ‘80s pop hit, good vocals & sax solo
3. 5:45 – solid party groove, “turn it up” chant, trumpet wails, trombone digs in
4. 4:06 – cool sliding groove; rapped duo vocals, “seize the day” message
5. 4:04 – easygoing reggae beat, Cyril Neville vocal, relaxed trombone break
6. 4:24 – straightforward thumping groove, rapped lead vocal & group chant
7. 4:11 – oh yeah: greasy Allen Toussaint tune, cool vocals & tuba on this one
8. 2:59 – sweaty instrumental: tenor & baritone saxes go at it
9. 4:05 – another party tune: midtempo bouncy groove, retro horns, group vox
10. 4:03 – tough walking groove, Leo Nocentelli guitar break & good vocals
11. 3:56 – steady stomp; pretty good rapped vocals (don’t give up)
12. 3:53 – instrumental march version of Stevie Wonder classic
13. 6:22 – goodtime stomp, positive message, excellent soul vocal & trumpet

[ Fo ] - February 2012