Over the past twenty years, a number of innovative new groups have been pushing the limits of traditional New Orleans brass-band music by incorporating elements of funk, bebop, and even rap. The result is some of the most raucous, spirited and funky music being made today. This compilation album from Shanachie includes contributions from New Orleans stalwarts like the Dirty Dozen, Rebirth and
Olympia Brass Band. Also featured are such diverse non-New Orleans groups as
Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy (led by the
Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpeter) and the
Les Miserables Brass Band (led by
Frank London of the
Klezmatics), who offer a not-to-be-missed cover of
Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression." ~ Joel Roberts