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Disaster Relief: Disaster Relief
Disaster Relief is just such an outfit and, on their debut record, they showcase their love for open yet poignant funk jams alongside their Afro-beat and classic funk and rock influences.
The instrumental group, hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, is enriched by a four-piece horn section who, like their rhythm section counterparts, are just as comfortable playing lead as they are playing a supporting role.
The self-titled record is a sort of tour of their various influences. The opener, "Downtown F#@karound" could have come straight from The Meters' songbook, while "January Junk" has the heart of a James Brown-style tune with modern soloists and sounds. Songs like "March Wind" and "Too Soon For June" have a groovy Fela Kuti vibe while "Dorian DeLorian" has a not-too-edgy funk-rock vibe.
As evidenced by the light-hearted song titles and their own mission statement of providing "some much-needed escape from the negative vibes surrounding us," the band's feel-good ethos produces perfect party music. Their well-rounded record is perfect evidence of that.
Track Listing: Downtown F#@karound; Too Soon for June; Dorian DeLorean; January Junk; September Skunk; March Wind; Transplant; August Addiction; October, Who's Sober?
Personnel: Brennan Andes: Bass; Rob Avsharian: Drums; Dan Bennett: Bari Sax; Tim Haldeman: Tenor Sax; Ross Huff: Trumpet; Darrin James: Guitar and Organ; Molly Jones: Tenor Sax
Title: Disaster Relief | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Ravine Records
