The Definitive Collection - Don't Stop Keep On

Brass Construction were not as specialized as their name implied. The Brooklyn funk band took flight in 1975 with a primarily instrumental approach that showcased not just the two trumpeters and two saxophonists referenced in their name, but also a muscular core rhythm section with a knack for joyously repetitious grooves, and high-spirited strings arranged by Randy Muller, the bands keyboardist and chief songwriter as well. Muller had previously arranged the strings for B.T. Express Top Ten pop hit "Express," and he expanded his vision with BC, whose first album went Top Ten pop, earned a platinum certification, and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Judiciously selected and straightforward, this three-disc set starts with five of the six songs from Brass Construction, leading with "Movin," the bands signature song and breakthrough single (number 14 pop, number one R&B and dance). It works similarly through the rest of the Brass Construction catalog in chronological sequence, picking no fewer than three songs from each of the nine subsequent LPs released through 1985 (strictly the album versions here -- no 7" edits, remixes, or alternates). The heart of the catalog is the debut and the gold-certified second and third LPs. Altogether, they spawned seven charting singles and a good number of strong album cuts highlighted by "Top of the World," a firebolt that best displays the underappreciated talent of guitarist Joseph Arthur Wong. Brass Construction werent ever averse to letting their inspirations shine through -- "The Message (Inspiration)," off the second album, is basically Ohio Players plus Earth, Wind & Fire -- but likenesses became increasingly common as the group adapted to the rapid developments in commercial R&B. The best of the 80s stuff is the Parliament/One Way-like "Can You See the Light" and "Walkin the Line," an undeniable jam that applies a Slave-ish coed vocal to Rick James-style punk funk. Easily the broadest overview of Brass Construction, this was released by Robinsongs, the U.K. label that in 2023 anthologized Skyy, Mullers (mostly) synchronous side venture, with The Salsoul Albums. ~ Andy Kellman

ランディ・ミューラーを擁したブルックリンの大所帯ファンク・バンドのヒット・シングルや隠れ名曲がいい塩梅でまとめられた3CD仕様のコレクション。ファンクとディスコの融合を特徴とし、ブラスがバリバリ鳴り響く70年代中期から次第に80年代らしい都会的なマイルドさへ移行していくNYサウンドの流れも確認することができる。今回は75～85年の間に残された全10枚のアルバムから43曲が収められた格好で、唯一いまだにCD復刻も配信もない『6』(78年)からのピックアップは目玉だし、未配信モノでは『Conversations』(83年)も同様。もちろん入門編にも打ってつけの名曲集だ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ