When Underground Horns and PitchBlak Brass Band unleash their unique brass-based hip-hop/funk/jazz beats, no person within earshot is immune to their powers. Such was the case during the Brooklyn Brass Clash at Brooklyn Bowl, possibly the only venue in world where you can enjoy a microbrew while bowling a few frames then take in a live show or groove to the beats of resident DJ ?uestlove.
Underground Horns wasted no time in firing the first salvo of the Brass Clash with driving latin rhythms backed by the full power of the brass-heavy ensemble. As the crowd grew to shoulder-to-shoulder capacity, the groove took control of their collective consciousness resulting in an energy which lasted throughout the night. Demonstrating their wide array of influences, percussionist/MC Okai Fleurimont took center stage as he flexed his lyrical muscle over the group’s tightly knot hip-hop beats.
A steady stream of guests augmented the Horns’ sound throughout their set, adding new layers to each song. With the crowd at a fever pitch, the ensemble filled the room with middle-eastern/funk beats as they traded-off showcases before yielding the stage.
Not to be outdone in the inaugural Brass Clash, PitchBlak Brass Band stormed the stage following a brief set break with their ten-piece collective led by sousaphonist Chanell Crichlow. Early in the set saxophonist Alison Shearer and trombonist Alaina Alster traded showcases, establishing the energy-rich tone for the group’s Brass Clash response to the Horns.
Answering Okai Fleurimont’s unspoken lyrical challenge, trumpeter Bryan Walters and trombonist T.J. Robinson took the microphone throughout the night, offering raps over driving bass-lines provided by Chanell Crichlow and drummer Ashley Baier. Guitarist Ben Brody reminded the horns that string section representatives are deserving of showcases in the Brass Clash with well-placed solos.
Responding to the electrified crowd, PitchBlak closed the Brass Clash with a two song encore that featured showcases for nearly every member of the group. While billed as a battle, both PitchBlak and Underground threw strikes all night at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday making the winner of the Clash too close to call.