Trombone Shorty, Backatown (Verve Forecast)
“Supafunkrock" is the name that Trombone Shorty gives his engaging blend of brass band blasts, metal guitar and deep grooves, a sound that the New Orleans native has lately ridden to appearances as himself in HBO's Treme series.
The label is apt, as the virtuoso trombonist/trumpeter and his Orleans Avenue band demonstrate on their debut studio album. Shorty taps ex-boss Lenny Kravitz for background vocals and acid-washed guitar on catchy slow-funk tune “Something Beautiful," is joined by fellow Louisiana singer Marc Broussard on the politically minded Right to Complain and has legendary New Orleans composer-pianist Allen Toussaint sit in on the latter's classic “On Your Way Down."
It's all Shorty elsewhere, from opening stomper “Hurricane Season" to the atmospheric title track to raucous closer “928 Horn Jam."
