BRUUT! - Mad Pack
Dox Records DOX235
Maarten Hogenhuis (Saxophone), Folkert Oosterbeek (Hammond Organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), Felix Schlarmann (drums)
Self-proclaimed “super jazz” four piece Bruut! follow up 2013’s Fire with their third studio album Mad Pack containing eleven brand new tracks. Comprising of Folkert Oosterbeek on the Hammond Organ, bassist Thomas Rolff, drummer Felix Schlarmann and led by saxophonist Maarten Hogenhuis Bruut! offer quite a listening experience.
Somewhat of a concept album each of the eleven tracks, composed by the band themselves, are named after people. This adds an extra dimension to the music as each track is clearly designed to paint a portrait of a unique character. This album is a testament to the importance of physical media in an increasingly digital world with artwork that offers gorgeous cartoons of all eleven members of the Mad Pack.
So let’s meet the “Mad Pack”:
“Sjaco”:
The opening track is a perfect way to kick off the record, it’s playful and very catchy. It’s one of the strongest tracks on the album and it makes a brilliant first impression.
“Mario”:
The second track is a much more laidback affair than the intense opener and is perhaps the weakest of the compositions on the album. It lacks a certain energy but is enjoyable never the less.
“Bill”:
For me “Bill” is a real highlight. The pace slows down a lot and it has a real cool feel to it. It feels like the band are working in perfect unity and the track is a delight to this listener’s ears.
"Eddie":
The pace picks up again with track four. It falls into a nice simple groove but is perhaps a little too repetitive. It lacks the magic of some of the other tracks.
“Dex”:
“Dex” oozes cool and makes good use of the whole ensemble. It’s one of the standout tracks and certainly the one I’ve listened to most.
“Hannie”:
Saxophonist Hogenhuis takes the lead on this track and his playing is quite sublime but the track can feel flat at times.
“Vito”:
The polar opposite to the previous track Vito makes great use of the Hammond Organ which plays off the saxophone really well here.
“Nazaire”:
“Nazaire” is by far the coolest track on the entire record. It feels like a perfectly danced Tango with all band members hitting the right notes at the right moment. The track just oozes charisma that can only make you wonder what kind of guy “Nazaire” is.
“Honey”:
“Honey”, the bikini clad beauty reminiscent of Ursula Andress from Dr. No, inspires the jaunty and fast paced ninth track. Once again the Hammond Organ and saxophone take the lead and the pair work well together
“Scarlett”:
The pace slows again for another effortlessly cool track. “Scarlett”, the raven haired beauty that looks like she’s broken more than a few hearts in her time, is perfectly served by a track heavy on the Hammond and with some much needed intensity. Easily one of the top three tracks from the record.
“Scott”:
The closing track is also the longest (due to a delightful hidden track that is a lot of fun and well worth waiting for). The band end things just the way they started with an upbeat and catchy number that really comes alive. “Scott” represents everything that’s great about this record. The high powered numbers stand out amongst the slower and less immediate numbers. It’s the perfect choice to bookend the release with the two most up tempo numbers.
Mad Pack is a vibrant and lively album. This release contains the kind of perfect music for those that are inclined to bust a move. With this record the dancefloor dialled 0800 reverse and Bruut! were more than happy to accept the charges. This album has a nice mix of upbeat and relaxed tracks and the band perhaps make the sensible choice in alternating between the two. There’s also fun to be had with guessing which each track each of the eleven characters that appear on the cover relates to. The standout tracks are some of the most fun and enjoyable pieces of music I’ve heard all year and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for future releases from the mighty Bruut!
Reviewed by Ben Calverley
Dox Records DOX235
Maarten Hogenhuis (Saxophone), Folkert Oosterbeek (Hammond Organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), Felix Schlarmann (drums)
Self-proclaimed “super jazz” four piece Bruut! follow up 2013’s Fire with their third studio album Mad Pack containing eleven brand new tracks. Comprising of Folkert Oosterbeek on the Hammond Organ, bassist Thomas Rolff, drummer Felix Schlarmann and led by saxophonist Maarten Hogenhuis Bruut! offer quite a listening experience.
Somewhat of a concept album each of the eleven tracks, composed by the band themselves, are named after people. This adds an extra dimension to the music as each track is clearly designed to paint a portrait of a unique character. This album is a testament to the importance of physical media in an increasingly digital world with artwork that offers gorgeous cartoons of all eleven members of the Mad Pack.
So let’s meet the “Mad Pack”:
“Sjaco”:
The opening track is a perfect way to kick off the record, it’s playful and very catchy. It’s one of the strongest tracks on the album and it makes a brilliant first impression.
“Mario”:
The second track is a much more laidback affair than the intense opener and is perhaps the weakest of the compositions on the album. It lacks a certain energy but is enjoyable never the less.
“Bill”:
For me “Bill” is a real highlight. The pace slows down a lot and it has a real cool feel to it. It feels like the band are working in perfect unity and the track is a delight to this listener’s ears.
"Eddie":
The pace picks up again with track four. It falls into a nice simple groove but is perhaps a little too repetitive. It lacks the magic of some of the other tracks.
“Dex”:
“Dex” oozes cool and makes good use of the whole ensemble. It’s one of the standout tracks and certainly the one I’ve listened to most.
“Hannie”:
Saxophonist Hogenhuis takes the lead on this track and his playing is quite sublime but the track can feel flat at times.
“Vito”:
The polar opposite to the previous track Vito makes great use of the Hammond Organ which plays off the saxophone really well here.
“Nazaire”:
“Nazaire” is by far the coolest track on the entire record. It feels like a perfectly danced Tango with all band members hitting the right notes at the right moment. The track just oozes charisma that can only make you wonder what kind of guy “Nazaire” is.
“Honey”:
“Honey”, the bikini clad beauty reminiscent of Ursula Andress from Dr. No, inspires the jaunty and fast paced ninth track. Once again the Hammond Organ and saxophone take the lead and the pair work well together
“Scarlett”:
The pace slows again for another effortlessly cool track. “Scarlett”, the raven haired beauty that looks like she’s broken more than a few hearts in her time, is perfectly served by a track heavy on the Hammond and with some much needed intensity. Easily one of the top three tracks from the record.
“Scott”:
The closing track is also the longest (due to a delightful hidden track that is a lot of fun and well worth waiting for). The band end things just the way they started with an upbeat and catchy number that really comes alive. “Scott” represents everything that’s great about this record. The high powered numbers stand out amongst the slower and less immediate numbers. It’s the perfect choice to bookend the release with the two most up tempo numbers.
Mad Pack is a vibrant and lively album. This release contains the kind of perfect music for those that are inclined to bust a move. With this record the dancefloor dialled 0800 reverse and Bruut! were more than happy to accept the charges. This album has a nice mix of upbeat and relaxed tracks and the band perhaps make the sensible choice in alternating between the two. There’s also fun to be had with guessing which each track each of the eleven characters that appear on the cover relates to. The standout tracks are some of the most fun and enjoyable pieces of music I’ve heard all year and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for future releases from the mighty Bruut!
Reviewed by Ben Calverley
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