Released on Benoit Viellefon’s JohnJohn label the Brawlers’ sound sits within the fold of the revived ‘hot’ trad jazz movement. Pete Horsfall on trumpet and lead vocals is here with Bryan Ferry Orchestra pianist Colin Good, the pair joined by clarinettist/saxophonist Ewan Bleach, trombonist/vocalist Malcolm Earle-Smith, guitarist/banjoist Martin Wheatley (thankfully the banjo is subtle, the guitar twangy-snap), bassist Dave O’Brien, and drummer Mez Clough. Trad and Dixie radio hosts such as Walter Love might well be in seventh heaven if or when they hear this one, and surely will want to play this for the edification of wayward young whippersnappers unschooled in the Chicago sound and possibly their own enjoyment unless the Brawlers transgress some hard-to-fathom rule. Dapper Natty Bo, who is active on the London vintage scene, adds guest MC vocals on ‘A Smooth One’ that appears both as a Cab Calloway/Slim Gaillard-like intro and trombone-heavy outro. The band add throaty enthusiasm on the well-voiced-for-clarinet title track. Strayhorn’s ‘Lotus Blossom’, a concession to relative modernity, is the final ‘bonus’ track with a silky intro by Good and a mournful solo from Horsfall that’s just right. SG
Released on 12 May
Pete Horsfall above. Photo JohnJohn records