Let Your Mind Be Free

by The Soul Rebels

Overview

Key players in the contemporary New Orleans brass band scene, the Soul Rebels add their own special flavor to the jazz and funk melange cooked up by older brass band cohorts such as Rebirth and the Dirty Dozen. The Rebels are a nine-piece ensemble that uses traditional brass band instrumentation (tuba, bass and snare drums, two trombones, two saxophones, and two trumpets) to combine New Orleans parade marches, swing, calypso, reggae, hardcore funk, rap, and hip-hop into its unique sound. LET YOUR MIND BE FREE, the group's first offering, captures a healthy slice of the Rebels' collaborative, improvisatory energy while showcasing their ability to bridge genres. Everything makes its way into the mix, including Latin shuffle ("Culture in the Ghetto"), and jazz from the canon (a cover of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints"); even "Also Sprach Zarathustra," the theme from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, gets a funk treatment. Rocksteady island rhythms ("L.O.V.E. U") churn alongside streetwise jams such as "Flowing and Flying" and "Black Juke," which feature raps courtesy of snare drummer Lumar Leblanc. As the irresistible title cut claims, music is a force for personal and cultural liberation, and the Rebels' highly original, danceable brew employs that force to powerful effect.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/1995
Label:	Mardi Gras Records
UPC:	0096094102027
Rank:	112681

Tracks

1. Let Your Mind Be Free
2. Santa Cruzin'
3. L.O.V.E. U.
4. Black Jukc
5. I Really Don't Love U
6. 2001
7. Culture in the Ghetto
8. Asiatic Funk
9. Thru the Eyes of a "Vibe"
10. Foot Prints
11. Flowing and Flying
12. Funky Rebel
13. Rebel Zone

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Soul Rebels   Primary Artist
Rev. Curtis Watson   Trumpet (Muted),Vocals,Trumpet
J. Derrick Moss   Drums (Bass)
Mervin Campbell   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Derrick Moss   Drums (Bass)
Damion Francois   Tuba,Vocals
Lumar LeBlanc   Rap,Drums (Snare)
Byron Bernard   Sax (Tenor)
William Terry   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano),Sax (Baritone)
Ronell Johnson   Trombone,Muted Trombone,Trumpet (Muted)
Steve Johnson   Trombone
Steven Johnson   Trombone

Technical Credits

Rev. Curtis Watson   Arranger
Milton Batiste   Producer
Steve Reynolds   Engineer
Leblanc   Composer
Lumar LeBlanc   Arranger
Warren Hildebrand   Executive Producer