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ALL MUSIC GUIDE REVIEW (Deep Banana Blackout: Feel The Peel CD)
Before anything, the following must be said: Funk-jazz-rock outfit Deep Banana Blackout boasts one of the choicest horn sections — Bryan Smith, trombone and tuba; Hope Clayburn, alto, soprano and baritone saxophones; Rob Somerville, tenor sax; and guest Brad Mason, trumpet and flügelhorn — around in contemporary music. It is tight, soulful, and inspired and produces some of the tastiest solos, ensemble bits, and accompaniments to be heard in 2001. Feel the Peel is Deep Banana Blackout's third release and first on Flying Frog Records, founded by Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. A switch in labels has not changed the funk-o-matic nature of this ultra-hip band. A little bit of jazz, rock, soul, and a whole lot of (gasp!) funk dress the album's opener "Raspberry." Finger-fast electric-guitar solos play call-and-answer with robust horn parts, and singers Fuzz, Smith, and Clayburn's blues-rock delivery is too sassy for words. "The Hassle" is a liberating funk jam that fights The Man, man. "You can have your money/I won't make a sound/But you can't keep pushin' me around," the trio of singers testify in rousing defiance. Nice smooth jazz-rock breaks season this hoppin-good cut. Elsewhere, a Latin invasion takes over on "Everybody." Hip-gyrating rhythms inspire as Clayburn's voice swims overhead with a vibrant piano dancing below. And, of course, those horns, those horns. Intricate rhythms and arrangements, unconventional time and signature changes, and some of the best synergy between musicians around make this eight-person ensemble the absolute top banana. There is so much to recommend this colorful, jazzy funk-o-licious disc by. Just go out, get it, and Feel the Peel. — Liana Jonas
- Lina Jonas
Discography
Crazy Wheel
Baaba Seth 1997
ButrosButrosGroove Records
Live at the end of the world
Baaba Seth 1999
ButrosButrosGroove Records
Happy, Everywhere
Hope Clayburn demo EP 2000
Boobaloo Music
Feel The Peel
Deep Banana Blackout 2001
Flying Frog Records
Release The Grease
Deep Banana Blackout 2002
DCN records
Live At The Clubhouse
Tom Tom Club 2002
TipTop Music/BMG distribution
Report 4 Booty
Hope Clayburn's 2nd Booty Battalion 2003
Boobaloo Music
No Crystal Stair
Bella Sun (Memphis folksoul)
Hope sax and flute
Bella Sun records 2005
Here are the results from the Universal Jury
Octavepussy
(Dutch soul band feat James Brown's Band)
Hope sax and flute
Presidental Dental Records 2005
more info at www.hopeclayburn.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"She began singing and dancing before she even had hair or teeth." This is what Hope Clayburn’s mother, Daisy, often says whenever she reminisces about Hope’s earnest beginnings in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Even now, Hope has that youthful energy and joy every time she sings and plays her saxophone and flute. Her musical dedication and versatility make her comfortable in a variety of atmospheres.
Hope specializes in jazz and soul saxophone/flute and vocals, but her music includes elements of rock, worldbeat, and gospel. Her latest ensemble, Hope Clayburn’s 2nd Booty Battalion, released their debut recording ‘Report 4 Booty’ in Oct 2003. The recording features southern fried funky jazz originals performed by musicians living in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The CD also features special guest appearances by Grammy nominated poet, Nikki Giovanni, and W.C. Handy award winning blues artist, Corey Harris. Hope’s performance on this recording pays homage to some of her favorite artists, including Marvin Gaye, Maceo Parker, Betty Carter, and Gil Scott Heron, combined with the eclectic sounds of her previous ensembles.
Hope began making her mark in music while attending the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She started with local Afro-beat band Baaba Seth and the University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble in 1993 and soon began traveling to festivals and clubs along the East Coast. Hope then joined Connecticut based funk band, Deep Banana Blackout (DBB) in Aug 2000. DBB and Hope toured the USA extensively and they also toured in Japan, where they performed in the Blue Note nightclubs in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. They were also favorites at the late night sessions of the New Orleans' Jazz Fest. The band was featured on the cover of Nov 2001 Pollstar Magazine and was also a favorite on the growing ‘Jamband’ scene. Hope is now residing in Memphis, TN where she often plays on the legendary Beale Street. She hopes to focus more on solo projects that will include Memphis soul and blues musicians.
Between Baaba Seth, DBB and her various projects, Hope has had the chance to perform with an eclectic and prominent selection of musicians. The list includes musical legends like James Brown, The Allman Brothers, Bernie Worrell of Pfunk, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, The Temptations, The Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads members), to jazz giants David Murray, Bill Frissell, and Melvin Sparks, to current hot artists Govt' Mule, Karl Denson, Soulive, and Galactic.
Hope Clayburn is a rare artist with pure energy and style. She has grown and accomplished so much during her short time on the music map, there's no doubt Hope will continue to create exciting and innovative music.
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