What trombonist/arranger Earl McIntyre gives you is two, two, two bands in one. The Brass Carnival is a band similar in construction to the Salvation Army brass band, yet with Latin percussion, which focuses on street and carnival music. The smaller Tribute! band tips the hat to the leader’s musical inspirations such as Ellington,JJ Johnson, gospel and his family. A celebratory “Please Remain on the Positive Side…” gives hints to “Sunny Side of the Street” in a charming way, while some soul jazz hits the ground running on “Pericles & the Lion.” Howard Johnson brings up his tuba on the latter, whiel Lew Soloff’s trumpet is pungent and proud on the New Orleans strutting “Second Line Soca/Brudda Singh.” A wondrous “Come Sunday” gets you ready for church, and the closing “We Shall Rest With The Lord” gets you set for heaven. Not a bad way to spend a night of brass fantasies!
Legend Factory Records