Brass ConstructionUploaded by ingeson13
http://www.brassconstruction.com
Biography
Perhaps no other group was as close to the real seventies funk spirit as Brass Construction. Multitalent Randy Muller, a percussionist who played keyboards and flute, set up Brass Construction together with high school friend Jeff Lane in New York in 1974. The 9 members of Brass Construction formed a rich conglomerate of the very funk that was happening at that time. Their formula was the real essence of funk : a pulsating polyrythmic sound, smoking arrangements of brass driving on deep percussion and happy funky chants. The first album in 1975, 'Brass Construction I' was an instant hit. It featured Movin', nowadays recognized as an alltime funk prototype. The message of Brass Construction was not only heard on vinyl, but wherever they played live, they turned the crowd ecstatic.
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The music of Brass Construction was created during live jam sessions in the studio, orchestrated by genious Randy Muller but with as much input of the talented members, each of them mastering his instrument :
Randy Muller : percussion, keyboards,vocals
Larry Payton : drums
Wayne Paris : trumpet, vocals
Sandy Billups : vocals, congas
Michael Grudge : sax, vocals
Morris Price : trumpets, vocals, percussion
Jesse Ward : sax, vocals
Wade Williamson : bass
Jeff Lane : production
The first album, Brass Construction I, was the stepping stone for more monster funk albums soon in 1976, Brass Construction II was another bomb. Renowned for the Ha cha cha hit, but also featuring musical pearls 'Now is tomorrow' and 'Screwed', being ultime funk gems! The subtle dominance of the deep slick percussion, combined with driving hard & sharp brass as well as silky strings and happy chants formed a steamy superfunky cocktail. Building on this reputation, in 1977 it was time for Brass Construction III, showing a slight move to a cleaner sound and introduction of more accentuated keyboard sounds. Nevertheless, the 'Happy People' track is still the raw Brass Construction driving funk sound, while 'We' introduces funky keyboard licks and a jam like 'Get it together' has a touch of psychadelic rock on a funk beat. If Brass Construction IV was maybe a little disappointing, Brass Construction was back in full effect on Brass Construction V in 1979. Here, deep & funky basslines, nasty macho chants, smooth but hard string arrangements are omnipresent. This album is a full collection of raw and catchy hooks. From 'Watch out', 'Shake It', 'I want some action' to 'Music makes you feel like dancing', 'Right Place' and then the absolute fat monster fonk phenomenon of 'Get up to get down', touching the very essence of the funk. Raw ooohh so raw, nasty and sliding synths countered by real brass, this is a must have gem for everyone pretending to be funky! Continuing on this heavy vibe, the Brass Construction VI album was missing the originality and spirit of what made V a killer album. This also caused a 2 year absence of Brass Construction, mostly because Randy Muller was by then so occupied doing productions for Skyy, Cameron, BT Expres, Funk Deluxe, First Circle
The explorations of Randy Muller with his other productions into a more synth driven funk sound marked a pivotal point for Brass Construction. From 1982, Brass Construction were back with Attitudes, 1983 Conversations, 1984 Renegades and finally in 1985 with their last album Conquest. Although the new eighties Brass Construction sound was missing much of its raw seventies happy funkiness, some tracks were noteworthy, being Walkin' the line in 1983 and Partyline in 1984, bringing a driving happy synthfunk
sound.
It's clear, Brass Construction formed a corner stone of the seventies funk scene. Anyone wanting to be a real funkateer, should have digged the Brass Construction sound. We hope you will enjoy your explorations into the music of Randy Muller as much as we do.
(EZ Boy, March '99)
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