Youngblood Brass Band - Ain't Nobody

Hello!

Today I will be telling you all about a fantastic group called 'Youngblood Brass Band'. This little quote from their website sums up their music in such a great way, its better than how I could describe them!

"Youngblood Brass band, taking the form of a New Orleans brass band and morphing it into a punked-out hip-hop behemoth of groove and purpose". 

Yeah...that's about right! These guys have brought brass bands into the 21st Century with some outstanding work from their EP 'Ain't Nobody'. The album 'Pax Volumi' is available now, but I wanted to focus on the EP as the songs they have taken from the album are the three best songs to sum this band up.

So, what does the band consist of?

Well, its 2 trombonists, 2 trumpeters, 2 saxophonists, 3 drummers, 1 vocalist and 1 sousaphone player! Sounds tasty!

Starting out in high school in 1995, the band was formed making their first album in the same year. Though the Youngblood name wasn't founded until 1998, these guys are a force to be reckoned with! They mean serious business and have been accoladed for their work over the past 15 years, but are now taking things to the next level with their latest album. 

Signing to Tru-Thoughts for the first album in 5 years, in 2013 they released 'Pax Volumi' which certainly packs a punch. I found out about this band through my internship at Tru-Thoughts and was blown away by the standard these guys are at. This is half the reason I am doing this blog is because they deserve so much credit for the sound they're producing!

From the EP, the track "The Plank Will Nod, And You Will Go" is my personal favourite. There are so many different genre's going on in it and definitely blows you away with the sheer noise that they produce at the beginning. There is a rapping section and with the type of drum beat its being turned into an R&B song, but in the background you can hear the brass section reminding the audience this is still all about the brass! High tempo, high energy. Pure joy to listen to and making me want to hit that damn replay button!

Its fantastic for a band to blend these types of genres together, it works so well! The drumming is ridiculous and such a pleasure to listen to. The 3 drummers work together in unison in such an indescribable way. They break apart a kit, there is at least one guy playing the bass drum patterns, one snare and hit-hat, the other the same but with the cymbals. Incredible. 

The other tracks on this EP are called "Ain't Nobody", which a clever cover of the Chaka Khan song to give it that boppy edge. The other songs are "E La E" and an instrumental version of "The Plank Will Nod, And You Will Go". The instrumental is recommended with headphones to really listen to each part of the brass section. A very clever set up and structure for each instrument and this was definitely a brilliant move by them. 

Listening to this high octane energy is giving me massive cravings to see what they are like live as I'd imagine it is certainly a spectacle! Go have a listen to their work to understand where I am coming from! I don't think I have been more excited to see a brass band in my life! 

So go check this brilliant brass band to have your socks knocked off! 

Thank you very much for reading.

Lewis :)

Website: http://youngbloodbrassband.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngbloodbrassband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/youngbloodbrass


Shout-out to everyone at Tru-Thoughts as well! :)