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Sex Mob: Sexotica

By Mark Corroto
July 26, 2006
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The only way to out-mob Steven Bernstein's Sex Mob is to go into the studio (as laboratory) and manipulate its sound. Sexotica is the group's fifth full-length release and its debut on Thirsty Ear Records, a label which has no hesitation to throw in handfuls of Teo Macero. The sampling and studio production by Good and Evil boost Sex Mob's kung fu to new levels, channeling it into some "alternate universe"-fu.

Sexotica follows Dime Grind Palace (Ropeadope, 2003), a party record recorded with a live feel. Here, the band and producers pay tribute to exotica's hero, Martin Denny. That said, the track "Martin Denny whistles and echoes a lounge feel over some trippy effects.

The group takes the track "Exotique as a slithering tick-tock affair. Bernstein's slide trumpet leads, flinging notes against the echoes of film noire and snippets of voice. (Think circus side show scary.) Likewise, Briggan Krauss drops some off-kilter saxophone language on the droopy-pulsed Luvin Blume before he duets with the echoes of Bernstein's horn. The machine beats of "Dick Contino's Blues drive the acoustic band into different feels of time, which actually slows and speeds with the engineer leaning on the turntable for effect!

Sexotica displays these musicians' talents in new and quite innovative ways, but Sex Mob's reverence for the irreverent remains in full effect.

Track Listing

Pygmy Suite; Martin Denny; Exotique; Luvin Blume; Quiet; Oakland; Dick Contino's Blues; Kid Rock Deluxe; 7 Bars.

Personnel

Sexmob

band / ensemble / orchestra

Steven Bernstein: slide trumpet, mellophones, vocals; Briggan Krauss: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone; Tony Scherr: acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, vocals; Kenny Wollesen: drums, percussion, bird whistles, vibraphone; Mike Dillon: tablas; Good and Evil (Danny Blume and Chris Kelly): programming hijinks.

Album information

Title: Sexotica | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Thirsty Ear Recordings

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