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"I Feel Like Bustin Loose"...Go-go fans, meet your cousins

souldrummer | Washington, DC United States | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is near and dear to my heart as a DC native who has a grandfather who hails from New Orleans. He took me to see Rebirth in New Orleans, and I've been a brass band junkie ever since. I'm a big fan of old school Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Band. This compilation is a good way for those looking for an introduction to Rebirth to find out whether they prefer the jazz influenced, hip-hop, or trad sound of Rebirth.



I feel that Rebirth has three phases. First, they were kids from Treme trying to be like their heroes in bands like the Dirty Dozen. Early Rebirth is not really represented on this compilation and you're better off checking out the album "Here to Stay" if you want to hear that stuff. That's before they were with Rounder Records so I'm not suprised that it's not on the compilation. Second, they were the kings of New Orleans with Phil Frazier rocking the bottom on the tuba and Kermit Ruffins on the frontlines with a fat trumpet sound. "Do Whatcha Wanna" was a regional hit and it's on this compilation. Finally, Rebirth is kind of the old school hip-hop equivalent of the brass band movement. Tracks like "New Orleans Music" and the final track with "My Thing" represent Rebirth originals that have some hip-hop style chants in them.



Fans will like some of the cover tunes represented here. "Let's Do It Again" by the Staple Singers show their old school soul leanings and "Ate Up the Apple Tree" show New Orleans traditional sound. There's also excerpts from their monster 24 minute medley on their Live At the Maple Leaf LP. That's an album you need to hear in its entirety, though. For folks in the DC area, that's frequently available at the local library if you want to check out what they've been up to.



I'm really pleased to hear that Kermit Ruffins and the Rebirth linked up again on a new CD. Kermit left Rebirth a few years back to pursue more of a Louis Armstrong traditional sound. Hopefully, this new project means that the parting was amicable and Rebirth and Kermit can link up from time to time for positive projects.



Rebirth has done so much for New Orleans music, black music, jazz music, funk music, and just about any other kind of good music you can think of. It's a shame these brothers are underground.



For those who are Rebirth heads and already have a lot of their stuff, the cover of Bustin' Loose that opens the compilation is slammin'! I've always said that "Feel Like Funkin' It Up" is basically "Bustin' Loose" and they probably ought to give Chuck Brown from DC composer credit. Well, here they give the Godfather of Go-go his props and cover his tune straight up.



New Orleans brass bands and DC go-go need to get together now more than ever before with the way that DC gives New Orleans a raw shake on the Katrina stuff.



Please support this music and check this out....



4.5 stars



--SD"

Tightness

Conrad | 08/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"top-notch groove music. i had the pleasure of meeting them and seeing them live, cool guys and a great group that works as a unit."

Kickin' it live!

James Ferguson | Vilnius, Lithuania | 09/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rebirth Brass Band has been funkin' it up for 20 years now, still looking young and still full of energy, turning every place they go into Mardi Gras for one night. This is a fresh new set of tracks recorded live in concert, which is the only way to hear Rebirth. Enjoy!"