The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band Menahan Street Band

• 1Midnight Morning02:57
• 2Rainy Day Lady03:19
• 3The Starchaser02:48
• 4Silkworm03:17
• 5Cabin Fever02:38
• 6Rising Dawn02:15
• 7Glovebox Pistol01:09
• 8Queens Highway01:08
• 9Snow Day04:00
• 10Parlor Trick01:36
• 11The Duke02:47
• 12Stepping Through Shadow02:02
• 13Devil's Respite03:51
• 14There Was a Man04:09
• Total Runtime37:56

Info for The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band

Menahan Street Band, a veritable supergroup of some of today's most prolific songwriters, arrangers, and producers return with this beat-forward, cinematic masterpiece. If you have spent any time hanging out in bars, cafes, or casually tuning into NPR in the last 10 years you should be well versed in MSB's catalog. Their unique brand of instrumental soul has not only been the foundation for some of modern hip-hop's most successful beats, it has also become the perennial soundtrack and veritable vibe-generator for countless parties, art shows, and restaurants throughout NYC and abroad. While this album carries the aesthetic torch that MSB has skillfully woven into the tapestry of their DNA, it also delves deeper into the experimental, exotic sounds that fill many of the coveted Sound Library and Soundtrack LPs of the late sixties and early seventies - an amalgamation of moog synths, electric pianos, drum machines, and a bevy of analog instrumentation, that ebb and flow in lush swells of Morriconian grandeur.

"Proud sons of the extended Daptone Records family (though they officially record for their sibling label Dunham Records), the Menahan Street Band often get lumped in with the neo-soul revival, largely thanks to their label associations and their work backing up powerhouse R&B vocalist Charles Bradley. However, while 2021's The Exciting Sounds of the Menahan Street Band sounds very soulful indeed, it doesn't often sound like soul music. On these 14 instrumental tracks, the band's music frequently plays like a collection of soundtrack pieces to forgotten movies and television shows of the '70s. "The Duke" and "Cabin Fever" evoke the spirit of a weekly detective drama featuring cops who don't play by the rules, "Stepping Through Shadow" could accompany a slinky love scene in a drama starring Richard Roundtree, "The Starchaser" was made to order for the dance club scene in a '70s comedy-drama, and if you were looking for the right piece to go with a big romantic breakup sequence, "Rising Dawn" would be a superior pick. There are plenty of crate-diggers who would jump for joy if they ran across a vintage album that sounded like this, and those same folks will doubtless appreciate The Exciting Sounds of the Menahan Street Band. The vintage-style compositions, arrangements, and production are almost spooky in their accuracy, and more important, the musicians have the skills as well as the vibe to pull this off and make it great listening. The music is thankfully free of ironic nudges and winks; the Menahan Street Band clearly love this kind of music and play it with genuine care and appreciation, and if you're looking for cool atmospheres for your home or automobile with a large percentage of vintage flair, this is an ideal aural backdrop, not to mention a showcase for some excellent instrumentalists with an appreciation of things past and present." (Mark Deming, AMG)

Thomas Brenneck, bass, guitar, Mini Moog, organ, percussion, piano, engineering, mixing
Mike Deller, organ, piano
Dave Guy, trumpet, guitar, tambourine
Leon Michels, tenor saxophone, organ, percussion
Nick Movshon, bass, drums
Homer Steinweiss, drums
Additional musicians:
Mike Deller, Farfisa organ (track 11)
Daniel Foder, bass (track 10)

Digitally remastered

Menahan Street Band
the Brooklyn-based instrumental ensemble known for their soulful and funky sound, is back with their highly anticipated album, "The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band." This record is a perfect blend of vintage grooves and modern sensibilities, showcasing the band's exceptional musicianship and their ability to create captivating melodies. With each track, listeners are transported to the streets of New York, where the music is alive and vibrant. From the smooth and sultry "Midnight Morning" to the upbeat and energetic "Cabin Fever," this album is a must-have for any music lover. Get ready to be swept away by the exciting sounds of Menahan Street Band.

This album contains no booklet.