Proclaiming Brownout to be a funk powerhouse seems like hyperbole – until you listen to their music. Berlin Sessions is further proof that that title is well deserved.
This Austin-based offshoot of Grupo Fantasma has once again conspired with producer Steve Berlin of Los Lobos fame to produce an unexpected audio delight. No, the quality of the album is not what’s unexpected, as they have constantly swung for the fences with stellar results. What’s different is that the group is back so soon after 2018’s Fear of a Brown Planet and Grupo Fantasma’s American Music Volume VII from 2019.
Berlin Sessions sonically overlaps both albums, but that’s not necessarily a surprise. “Somewhere to Go” works an aggressive groove, tying in the band’s trademark percussion and horn session with vocalist’s Alex Marrero’s soul swagger. Marrero, who has been the featured vocalist on the Brown Sabbath projects, adds a totally different flavor to the English-language songs on the album.
“Nain” the album’s second single, hints at familiar Brownout territory musically. The combination of acoustic percussion, electronic beats and Motown-inspired guitar riff is infectiously inviting. The song, sung in Spanish by Marrero, is uplifting, regardless of if you speak the language or not.
“Seamus” is a psychedelic funk piece. The bass part Greg Gonzales lays down, tied to the drum and percussion, evokes Funkadelic, Pink Floyd and the the Doobie Brothers. Something new and trippy, indeed! “Fill My Cup” adds a whole new set of colors to this kaleidoscope. The march-like rhythms and call-and-response vocals invoke New Orleans, and add a whole new group of spices to the musical gumbo.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Guitarist Beto Martinez joins Preston Frazier to discuss Brownout’s explorations of Black Sabbath songs, his early musical experiences, and his work with Grupo Fantasma.]
“Upon This Rock” is good old-fashioned R&B, but there is nothing conventional about it. Mark “Speedy” Gonzales provides a typically brilliant horn arrangement which is perfectly supportive of the song, while newest band member Peter Stopchinski adds to the sonic picture with his keyboards. “After November” ties together the 12 songs from Berlin Sessions with a fantastic sonic bow. The usual magic of the Greg Gonzales/Alex Marrero rhythm section is present.
Also, the additional sonics provided by Stopchinski are here, along with violin parts complimented by Mark “Speedy” Gonzales’ almost mariachi-like trumpet and trombone arrangement. It all makes for an almost epic end to an epic album by Brownout.
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