Sep 23rd, 2008 · Known for his articulation and clarity as both an ensemble player and an expressive soloist, trumpeter Doc Cheatham was comfortable playing big, brassy music. But his sound could also be soft and delicate.
Sep 22nd, 2008 · Reggae music has gone a lot of places over the years, from minimalist dub to culture-warring dancehall. Almost forty years on, Spear still hews to the reggae basics: a deep, easy groove, the brassy R&B flavorings, and a mystical take on history. His new CD is Jah is Real.
Oct 24th, 2007 · Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' "100 Days, 100 Nights" is about love, not some supersized flood; according to the singer, that's how long it takes for a man's heart to unfold. Meanwhile, her dynamite backup band chips in the brassy punctuation marks.
Mar 22nd, 2006 · Imbued with a catchy hook, irrepressible energy, and a freewheeling confidence, Magneta Lane's "Secrets Aren't So Bad" commands attention from the song's opening seconds. With a brassy voice that recalls Debbie Harry in Blondie's heyday, Lexi Valentine exudes boundless charisma.