Soul Rebels ‘unlock’ one’s mind to the ‘new New Orleans sound’

23rd January 2012   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

The Soul Rebels Brass Band is churnin’ in high gear. It just released its latest hot disc, Unlock Your Mind, on the respected Rounder Records label and thus it will receive wide distribution by the Concord Music Group. That also means that Rounder’s Scott Billington, who’s been behind many of the best recordings to come out of the city in the last 20-plus years — the Dirty Dozen, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams and many more — was at the helm as producer. The Rebels also landed in the Ted Kurland Associates stable of respected artists and have benefited from greater exposure. On Saturday, January 28, the Rebels, which was formed in 1990, celebrate the new album at Tipitina’s. The band will also keep the festivities going at its regular Thursday night gig at Le Bon Temps Roule.

As heard on the CD, which boasts original material and re-vamped covers, the Soul Rebels has specifically honed its groove to make it radio-ready while maintaining its New Orleans roots. With its mix of brass band, old school and contemporary R&B, hip-hop and reggae, the Rebel’s vibe — much like that of rising star Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews — could be deemed the “new New Orleans sound.”

“I think people are finally starting to accept the sound because of people like Trombone Shorty,” says Lumar LeBlanc, the snare drummer, leader and president of the Soul Rebels. “He’s respected for being from our neck of the woods and he can try something new and still get respect for doing it. We do have that similar eclecticism that’s due to the level of the musicianship,” LeBlanc adds saying that the players in both the Soul Rebels and Andrews’ band benefit from formal music education.

The album opens with what could be considered the Soul Rebels’ second anthem, “504,” that features the fine voice of guest Sean C. and blowin’ by Trombone Shorty. Like the band’s first signature tune, the now-classic, “Let Your Mind Be Free,” it carries a message. Written by trumpeter Marcus Hubbard soon after Hurricane Katrina scattered New Orleans citizens across the nation, the song refers to New Orleans area code that took on greater meaning during that the time. Yet “504” continues in popularity and promises longevity.

“When we write songs we always have in mind the kind of message that can stand the test of time,” says LeBlanc of both “504” and “Let Your Mind Be Free,” which is revisited as the disc’s closing number. “We didn’t want anything that would be here today and gone tomorrow.”

A positive attitude has been a strength of the Soul Rebels both in their original material and in the band’s sustainability. It’s heard in the raps on tunes like trumpeter Julian Gosin and trombonist Corey Peyton’s collaboration, “I Made It,” that advises “to stand on your pride and leave all your haters behind.” Rhythmically and melodically, the up attitude jumps on their gotta dance tune, “It’s Showtime” with the solid bottom provided by sousaphonist Edward Lee and a fine sax solo by Erion Williams. It rages with that previously mentioned new New Orleans sound — an urban contemporary beat pulled off with a sousaphone, two man drum section twist.

The original members of the Soul Rebels began their musical journey with the Young Olympia Brass Band under the direction of the Olympia Brass Band’s trumpeter Milton Batiste and leader, saxophonist Harold Dejan. Their backgrounds also included heavy involvement in their respective high school and college marching bands. When the guys felt an itch to step outside the traditional brass band structure and do their own thing, they were heard by the noted vocalist/percussionist Cyril Nev­ille who dubbed the group the Soul Rebels. Only two original members remain in the group today, LeBlanc and bass drummer and vice president Derrick Moss. That the Soul Rebels remained vital through all of the evolutions is a tribute to LeBlanc’s positive attitude and generally of the band itself.

“I’ve always tried to surround myself with people who have a kind of a mentality like myself — not that I put myself on a pedestal,” LeBlanc explains. “We do try to get people who are positive, faith-based and goal-oriented individuals.

“The changes are always a challenge,” LeBlanc concedes. “I would say that it’s been a good journey because it invigorates me. You can get complacent and I welcome working with new talent. Hopefully, the group we have now will ride into the sunset together.”

Most of the members contributed material to the album and all are involved with the arrangements. Those include some nifty takes on Annie Lenox’s hit “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This.” Much appreciated is the inclusion of the Allen Toussaint penned, Lee Dorsey hit, “Night People.” Hubbard brings on the vocals to the classic that marries funk and rap and delivers it to a brand new audience.

“When we play ‘Night People’ the young people think it’s like a new, hip-hop, go-go song,” LeBlanc says with a laugh. “ They’re dancing like they’re in the clubs off of that song.”

Cyril Neville joins in on a Staple Singers tune, “Unlock Your Mind,” a Billington suggestion that is in keeping with the Soul Rebels’ message on “Free Your Mind.” The band gives it a reggae sway that naturally suits Neville’s style. The horns here, including the essential trombonists Peyton and Paul Robertson, work well as accompanists

Another legendary New Orleans musician, Leo Nocentelli, adds some stinging guitar on his own, Mardi Gras Indian influenced “Say Na Hey” that shows yet another side of the Rebels’ capability.

The Soul Rebels goal, as well that of many New Orleans brass bands, has long been to put their music in the “mainstream level” and achieve “world appeal.”

“Metallica accepted us for what they saw,” says LeBlanc of the heavy metal superstar band inviting the Soul Rebels to perform at its 30th anniversary concert. “They saw us as a hot new band, not a brass band.”

With its solid musicianship and song selection plus plenty of pump, Unlock Your Mind could be the Soul Rebels’ key to opening up some of the music industry’s often stubborn doors.

NOJO at HOB

The Grammy-winning, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra directed by trumpeter Irvin Mayfield makes a too rare, local appearance at the House of Blues on Saturday, January 28, 2012. The show, dubbed “A Home-town Concert,” will feature the 16-piece ensemble that is made up of some of the finest musicians in New Orleans. Expect both original and standard pieces from this group that boasts powerful ensemble work and some hot soloists like saxophonist Ed Petersen, clarinetist Evan Christopher, banjo/guitarist Don Vappie and, of course, the maestro himself, Irvin Mayfield. Showtime is 9 p.m.

This article was originally published in the January 23, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper