It is Mardi Gras week and the soundtrack is the Hot 8 Brass Band's new album, Big Tuba.
The New Orleans-based, second line jazz, funk and hip-hop band are back with their first album since 2019, and their first since the passing of founding member Bennie Pete, AKA "Big Tuba."
The album begins with an ode to their fallen bandmate that chooses celebration of his accomplishments and life over wallowing in his loss. "Big Tuba" is a showcase of the whole album, with anthemic and interweaving horn lines, funky marching drums and high energy vocalists keeping the party vibes high.
From there, the album heads to the spirited resistance of "Fight Song," with a simple call and response that hammers home the community focus of the Hot 8 Brass Band:
If you stand up for me, I'll stand up for you
If you speak up for me, I'll speak up for you
If you gon' fight for me, I'm gon' fight for you
I know it's all on me, but still it's up to you
When the song crescendos, it is easily the most hype music I have heard this year.
Another highlight is the group's cover of Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine." Subtle additions to the melody maintain the classic sound but make it distinctly NOLA jazz at the same time.
With their vibrant sound and positive message, the Hot 8 Brass Band are still going strong more than 30 years into their career. Big Tuba is a party rockin' jazz album that nods to the genre's early days in New Orleans, while incorporating modern funk and hip-hop.
Must listens
- "Big Tuba"
- "Fight Song"
- "La Jean (Largent)"
- "Ain't No Sunshine"
- "Miss Albert"
- "Respect My Mind"
- "Midway"
- "In The Place To Be"
