Unlock Your Mind

by The Soul Rebels

Overview

Described as "the missing link between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong," the eight-piece Soul Rebels Brass Band have played a pivotal role in keeping the New Orleans jazz sound alive. Jazz purists may balk at the playful cover of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," which substitutes the original's pulsing electro beats and stark synths for some Latino percussion and vibrant reggae horns, and the laid-back A Tribe Called Quest-esque raps that permeate the likes of the hip-hop-tinged "My Time" and the vintage funk of "I Made It." But as support slots with acts as varied as James Brown, Green Day, and Fugees would suggest, Soul Rebels Brass Band aren't exactly a traditional jazz band. This fusion of contemporary and classic doesn't always quite come off. An instrumental version of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" turns the Motown standard into a chaotic and self-indulgent marching band number, while the corny "Showtime" sounds like the Village People fronting the theme tune to a corny '70s soap opera. But for the most part, it's difficult not to be enamored by the impressive musicianship on board, whether it's the tight percussion on a rendition of Lee Dorsey's "Night People," the squealing sax solos on "I'm So Confused," or the funky guitar licks of pure party opener "504," while the likes of the Meters' Leo Nocentelli and Cyril Neville, the latter of whom contributes to the album's highlight, a ska-fused reworking of the Staple Singers' title track, help further establish the band's authenticity. It's hard to shake the feeling that Soul Rebels Brass Band are probably a much more captivating experience live than they are on record, but Unlock Your Mind is a decent attempt to capture some of their renowned carnival atmosphere. ~ Jon O'Brien

Product Details

Release Date:	01/31/2012
Label:	New Rounder
UPC:	0011661911727

Tracks

1. 504
2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
3. Turn It Up
4. My Time
5. Unlock Your Mind
6. We Gon' Take Your Body
7. Night People
8. I'm So Confused
9. Showtime
10. Say Na Hey
11. I Made It
12. Living for the City
13. Let Your Mind Be Free

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Soul Rebels   Primary Artist
Ben Ellman   Soloist,Sax (Baritone)
Dwayne Williams   Congas
Lumar LeBlanc   Vocals,Percussion,Drums (Snare)
Erion Williams   Vocals,Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
Julian Gosin   Rap,Vocals,Soloist,Trumpet,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Marcus Hubbard   Vocals,Soloist,Trumpet
Corey Peyton   Rap,Vocals,Soloist,Trombone,Percussion,Choir/Chorus
Edward Lee, Jr.   Vocals,Percussion,Sousaphone,Vocal Harmony
Cyril Neville   Vocals
Leo Nocentelli   Guitar
Sean C   Vocals
Derrick Moss   Vocals,Percussion,Contrabass Drum
Paul Robertson   Vocals,Soloist,Trombone
Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews   Soloist,Trombone

Technical Credits

Scott Billington   Producer
Rev. Curtis Watson   Composer
Dave Stewart   Composer
Annie Lennox   Composer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
George Jackson   Composer
Lumar LeBlanc   Composer
Byron Bernard   Composer
Larry Chambers   Composer
Geoffrey Himes   Liner Notes
Adam Shipley   Management,Executive Producer
Ted Kurland   Booking,Management,Executive Producer
Steve Johnson   Composer,Composer
Devon Guillery   Design
Julian Gosin   Composer
William Moesta   Assistant
Marcus Hubbard   Composer
Corey Peyton   Composer
Edward Lee, Jr.   Composer
Sean Thomas Carey   Composer
Adam Ayan   Mastering
Steve Reynolds   Engineer
Allen Toussaint   Composer
Leo Nocentelli   Composer,Guitar Producer
Mervin Campbell   Composer
Rick Olivier   Photography
Larissa Collins   Art Direction
Derrick Moss   Composer
Damion Francois   Composer