Brass Bands are big in the US and have a huge following at football games. As the title suggests, this release is low on pom-poms though. Much more like the political Afro-funk of Antibalas (check ‘Indictment’ on Gilles Peterson In Africa compilation).

At the other extreme, on the b-side ‘Ake’ is a modal jazz track like a laid-back film score instrumental and one definitely to return to.

The live version of the Youngblood Brass Band is billed as a like “Rage Against The Machine jamming in a seedy New Orleans nightclub.” Sounds good to me. Other comparisons with Loose Tubes and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are valid and their forthcoming gig at Cargo (15th March) is bound to be a belter; two trumpets, two trombones, tenor sax, three percussionists, a sousaphonist and an MC.

‘Nuclear Summer’ made No. 1 on this week’s ‘One Week To Live’ chart (there’s a pun there somewhere) and It’s my top tune this week.

Also, the album Is That A Riot is out 13th March.

Here comes the heat, horny hip hop is here.

Youngblood Brass Band - Nuclear Summer (All City Music) Cat. No. LR 014 12”
Tracklisting:
A1. Nuclear Summer (Radio-Friendly)
A2. Nuclear Summer (Instrumentalist-Friendly)
B1. Ake
B2. Nuclear Summer (Acappella)
Links
www.cargo-london.com
www.youngbloodbrassband.com
Antibalas (check ‘Indictment’ on their Who Is This America? album)- http://www.ropeadope.com