Music
Press
This collection of swampy funk is deep in the pocket, right where it
should be. The grooves are thick, the vocals are sparse and always add
texture to the interplay between the musicians, and the vibes never
get bogged down. For a four piece, they crank out a surprisingly full
sound, complimenting the bass and drums with organ, electric piano,
saxophone, and some slick percussion. The lyrics and vocals are pure
party soul, designed to get you in tune with the vibe and flow of the
music. Songs like "Booty Movin'" give you even more than what you
might expect: A tight drum beat, accented with driving organ and
guitar that sandwich the listener right in the middle of some wild
vocals and a full on groove that splits open for a fantastic sax solo.
The Gumbo Brothers say they're "going to hit you with some ass-shakin'
funk!" They got that right. Prepare yourself.
- CD Baby
Written by Mike Parker
Friday, 22 February 2008
Funky Freedom
by The Gumbo Brothers
Independent
The title says it all on this swampified stew of soul, jazz, reggae, and (of course) funk.
Don’t let the cover art fool you. Peter Max would have been proud, but there is nothing even remotely 60’s about the music inside. Well, maybe a throwback nod to Canned Heat, but that’s all. And a touch of Booker T., and a little Booty People. But other than that you can forget the 60’s references. And the horns are a touch reminiscent of BS&T. But seriously, I’m done comparing.
The Gumbo Brothers, who make their home in Venice Beach, California, sound like they were born in the bayou and raised on poke salit and alligator tale. You just don’t get more New Orleans than this foursome. From the opening groove of the title cut to the waning wail of “Lose Your Self” Funky Freedom is all about the funk in all of its incarnations.
“Dr. Kronic,” delivers a mid-tempo invitation to boogie. “Shakedown Street” is a six-minute monster track that is custom made for a sultry slow dance. On “Get Your Freak On” the Brothers venture dangerously close to rock ‘n’ roll, but never loose sight of the groove. The jazz is smooth, the vocals are gritty, the funk is thick and syrupy. If you can’t dance to this album, you just can’t dance.
- www.buddyhollywood.com
Discography
Ass-Shakin' Funk - 2004
On Fire - 2007
Funky Freedom - 2007
Photos
Bio
The Gumbo Brothers have firmly rooted themselves in the eclectic artistic tradition of Venice Beach, California with weekly residencies at the Venice Bistro (a boardwalk landmark), Rae's Lounge (2007) and now Fridays at The Santa Monica Bar & Grille. Since 2003, they have been entertaining the Venice community with an annual Mardi Gras parade on the boardwalk including a traditional brass band, drum corps, stilt walkers, dancers and costumed bead-throwing enthusiasts. In December 2005, they hosted a benefit for the New Orleans Musician's Hurricane Relief Fund at The Temple Bar in Santa Monica with special guest, saxophone legend Plas Johnson who joined them for the second set. With over 75 shows in Los Angeles in 2007 and other notable appearances at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco, and venues up and down the west coast, this Venice-based quartet is bringing their infectious, booty movin' bayou grooves to swamp-funk fans throughout the southland and beyond.
Dedicated to musicianship and exploring the traditions of jazz, funk, soul and reggae, The Gumbo Brothers have a wide appeal and an electrifying live show. Influences include: The Meters, Dr. John, War, Grant Green, Ivan “boogaloo” Joe Jones, James Brown, The Dirty Dozen, Galactic, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and countless others.
Links
