HOT 8 BRASS BAND | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 22 July
Uh-oh. What had I gotten myself into now? I’d been here before, but this was another kettle of fish (or gumbo, in honour of the New Orleans headliners). Here to review the Hot 8 Brass Band because of an illuminating talk with leader and tuba player, Bennie Pete, I was curious to know what all the noise was about. The horn-laden Fiesta Bombarda carnival launch was sold-out, and it was party central. Except this party needed some air. Cold air. As in those cooling boxes invented in the last century. Y’all feel me, Ifor Bach?
It WAS raining men, though, because Hot 8 and openers Afro Cluster both have over half a dozen members. The Afro-funk/hip-hop group, who hail from South Wales and feature Buzz’s own Charlie Piercey (on Billy Preston-esque keyboard and guitar), had already started and everyone was jumping. Their tootin’ section was off the chart, reminiscent of the Ohio Players and the Gap Band. They performed songs from their first EP, including title track We Don Land and lead single Love Thing, as well as older numbers Afro Lion, They Don’t Know and Power Moves. Listening online after the event, MC Skunkadelic’s raps come through clearer: politically and socially conscious stuff, advocating peace, harmony and love. Sweet.
Hot 8 Brass Band celebrated their 20th big one last year and have stuck together through devastation (the deaths and illness of several members and Hurricane Katrina). The Grammy-nominated band’s touring lineup isn’t necessarily the same that record, but the core is still two of the co-founders Pete and Harry Cook on bass drum. Tonight they also encompassed trombonists Larry Brown and Tyrus Chapman (percussion, too); trumpeters Al Huntley (lead vocals) and Chris Cotton; saxophonist Andrew Calhoun and on snare drum, Errol Marchand, Jr.
Promoting their latest EP Can’t Nobody Get Down, they took to the stage looking fierce and ready to jam. They blasted off with two of their more jazzier works, Wolf Burger and Jisten To Me, but most of the show was about the hip-hop call-and-response of Snoop Dogg interpolation What’s My Name (Rock With The Hot 8) and closer Get Up. Their hit version of Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing had brought the already sweaty and sticky audience to the brink, everyone ecstatic with the rhythm-tastic crew. I managed to stay upfront for almost 45 minutes, but the heat and volume were giving me flashbacks to the Mudd Club, circa 1981. With pounding ears, my head was screaming to get the hell to the back with the other elderly. Wonder if they needed oxygen and an aspirin, too?
Later, I said hello to Pete, who looked like he’d rather be chillin’ in a nice cold bath than still backstage. Because they incorporate so many styles, he said they take requests on Facebook and tailor the setlist according to where they are (hence the hip-hop heavy set). He laughed when I said in the future, I’d be seeing them outdoors. My hearing should be back by then.
words RHONDA LEE REALI photos YUSEF RUSTEM