NEW BASICS BRASS BAND

NOTABLE QUOTES

For Recordings:

"CDs can be like medicine bottles sometimes. Many bands get a "warning" sticker slapped on them (fear the side effects of offensive lyrics!) and a few others put their own usage directions on them (usually of the "play it loud!" variety). On Columbus, Ohio-based septet New Basics Brass Band's third album, they put the side-effects right in the title and, just to be safe, offer this dictate on the back cover: "This disc contains sousaphone-powered party music, carefully crafted to enliven any gathering and improve any disposition." Indeed, NBBB's spirited, kick-brass brand of N'awlins Funk is built to party and the group's main songwriter, Rob Maccabee, is without question Ohio's grooviest sousaphone player, blowing riffs as bouncy and buoyant as any bassist's. The band shows off its expanded roster on Good Times, wisely adding Soul/Funk organ and tasty guitar licks and rhythms (vocals are handled by a mix of players and seem like an afterthought, but are still wildly effective). You'd have to have a pitch-black heart to not get sucked into NBBB's infectiously joyous ruckus, laid out tight and skillfully with a Jazz band's flair for expression and precision. Whether reinterpreting others (James Brown, Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair) or showcasing their originals, NBBB causes a mix of happy feet, cold sweats and genuine awe at how the band can be so progressive yet authentically traditional at the same time. There, those are the added side effects (phew, no anal leakage). Listen once daily and only call your doctor in the morning if his name is Dr. John. The New Basics Brass Band performs Friday at Rhino's in Eastgate with Freekbass. (Mike Breen) Grade: A"

"Life is nothing but a party. Well, actually with today's wars, hurricanes and floods, gas prices, and the decline of the middle class—not to mention the growing influence Dick Cheney has on snack food—life's party is often canceled.

But there is good news. Nobody can stop you from partying to the sounds of the New Basics Brass Band in your car, living room, or earbuds. This Ohio-based band (no, it's not a collection of refugees from New Orleans) updates the brass band concept with funk, R&B, and a slice of James Brown.

The sousaphone (a marching band's tuba) opens “Fill'er Up” before a line of horns reminiscent of the 1970's grou Average White Band tosses in some jazz/funk. Like a brass band should do, they purposefully chide you to move, shake and spin your butt; then, after a nice trombone solo, comes an electric guitar solo! Okay, I'm buying!

Actually, I'm sold with the cover of Allen Toussaint's “O Me-O My-O,” with Ben Bachert doing his best Dr. John filtered through a megaphone, and with the singalong version of James Brown's “If You Don't Get It The First TIme, Back Up And Try It Again, Party.”

Tim Perdue's “Cannonball” exorcises a Lee Morgan ghost or two by way of beach dance party wallpaper. “Summer Pickins'” bristles with a Tower Of Power wall of horns and “PPP” (translated into “Pink Panty Pulldown”) brings you back full circle to our Scottish friends, AWB. The disc ends (almost) with the classic “Tipitina”; the boys play the Professor Longhair track straight.

One beef. The disc includes two hidden tracks that you wait... and wait for. Sure, you might be big in Ohio, boys, but that silliness doesn't play out here in hyperspace." (Mark Corroto)

-AllAboutJazz.com review of Good Times Are Likely

"...the song writing is impressive. One thing that's pretty amazing about New Basics is th fact that the songs are catchy, singable and posess what is commonly referred to as a 'phat groove.' But the band members pay respect to their jazz roots without getting uppity about it. Very refreshing."

"... the New Basics tweak the nouveau-New Orleans marching band formula with sound bites, sampling, myriad musical quotes, and an abundant sense of humor added to a clean multidimensional sound..."

"New Basics Brass Band's five song EP is the best Christmas disk to cross my CD player this season because- and this is important- the jazzy combo knows how to have fun on stage and in the studio... Each performance is a delight, emphasized by accomplished performances and solos."

For Live Performances:

"Columbus is home to a countless array of loud and noisy bands. Few, however, can match the tower of sound generated on stage by the New Basics Brass Band.

A five-horned rampaging monster, NBBB’s seamless blend of New Orleans traditional jazz, marching band heroics and funk bravado has placed them in a genre of one in the capital city music scene."

“...You'd have to have a pitch-black heart to not get sucked into NBBB's infectiously joyous ruckus, laid out tight and skillfully with a jazz band's flair for expression and precision. Whether reinterpreting others (James Brown, Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair) or showcasing their originals, NBBB causes a mix of happy feet, cold sweats and genuine awe at how the band can be so progressive yet authentically traditional at the same time..."

"The band was a big hit on Saturday night at a crowded Oldfield' On High..."

"Especially rewarding in live performance..."

"My new favorite local group... always-hot..."

" In person, the band members are an affable, modest group of musicians. On stage, the six strike a mix of relaxed showmanship and impressive technique. Arrangements are executed with close precision, solos are passed on and received with deliberate confidence. All this this leaves the listener with a sense of cool professionalism."