Some Brasses for Your Asses

One thing about music that fascinates me is how people seem to gravitate towards certain instruments. Personally, I've always been a sucker for the horns - without getting too spacey about it, there's something about the raw, unamplified power of them that embodies the way that music can physically affect you - and that's dope.

So, with that, I offer up two brass ensembles for your consideration. The first some of you might have seen busking in the subway stations and parks here in NYC. Called the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, they are made up of 6 brothers from Chicago plus a drummer. Here's a feature the NYT did on them awhile back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTQa_aU7pfE. Currently they are touring Europe as Mos Def's backup band, which is SICK, so lookout for their return stateside in a few months.

Feast:





Hypnoticbrass.blogspot.com
Buy their Albums on ITunes

The Youngblood Brass Band is made up of 9 white dudes from Wisconsin, but you'd never know that by listening to them. Less jazzy than Hypnotic, they draw inspiration from the classic New Orleans brass sound and are more "jammier", for lack of a better word. They are all amazing musicians - in particular, the tuba player busts out some ridiculous basslines. Have a listen:






Youngblood Brass Band - Unlearn