Album review: Brownout released lush new Berlin Sessions LP
Austin Latin funksters Brownout have returned with a full-length album of lush, original songs entitled Berlin Sessions. The record is the first collection of original tunes since Oozy (2012). The album’s moniker comes from capable producer, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) who has also produced Brownout’s better known sister act, Grupo Fantasma. Released on March 6 on Fat Beats Records, the record is the first of the band’s original material to feature their Black Sabbath cover project, Brown Sabbath’s vocalist Alex Marrero. This is a set of tunes that demands multiple listens and finds Brownout pushing the boundaries of their already cutting-edge brand Latin-funk further into the uncharted territory of psychedelic, progressive and Latin rock for the talented Austin act.
The opening track, “Somewhere To Go” indeed points listeners in the direction the album is heading. Heavy funk and bass beats compliment a strong horn line. Menacing, almost warning vocals grab the audience’s attention from the outset, giving them a hint of what is to come on the remaining songs, a continued fusion of genres and styles that expands on Brownout’s exploratory approach. It feels as though the group really sunk their teeth into these sessions. It’s clear producer, Berlin, managed to challenge this group of players to dig deeper creatively.
After a few slower tempo tracks that feature newer elements of psychedelic rock like the otherworldly, exploratory keyboard sounds by Peter Stopschinski and Spanish lyrics of “Nain” and the orchestral arrangement of “Seamus” the band circles back to “The Zealot” which sounds closest to the record’s opening number. Heavy bass lines by Greg Gonzalez, a driving, insistent beat and prominent horns are complimented by guitarist Beto Martinez’s considerable chops. The song is as uptempo as “Somewhere To Go” bringing the energy level on the album all the way back up to ten. Check the impressive drum breaks by John Spiece and percussionist, Matthew “Sweet Lou” Holmes on this song.
Other favorites in the track listing include, Meters cover, “You’ve Got To Change” which leads with Sweet Lou’s congas and strong harmonies from Brownout’s horn section. Add in guest vocalist Anthony Farrell’s (The Greyhounds) soulful, rich delivery and you have another winner of a song. Stopschinski sweetens the deal with impressive, jammy keyboard parts. We also like “Hold Your Way” with it’s down tempo approach, Pink Foyd-like dreamy chorus punctuated by insane guitar riffs by Martinez.
Brownout’s Berlin Sessions is the type of quality recording that demands attentive, multiple listens to fully enjoy the masterful complexity of the record. Each listen reveals a little more that the previous. This is the mark of a great recording. Do yourself a favor and put headphones for this one so you don’t miss all the satisfying details while listening.
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