Title - 'Hurricane Mouse'
Artist - The Justin Rothberg Group
For those not in the know, The Justin Rothberg Group plays original instrumental music and whilst the trio is rooted in jazz, they stay as musically open-minded as possible.
“We try to explore a variety of different styles of music," Rothberg explains."Songs are influenced by hip-hop, funk, dub reggae, Latin, world music, and anything else the band has been listening to."
"We pride ourselves in having our own sound but try to keep the music from being too cerebral. We want it to be interesting and fresh but also listenable."
"That's very important to us. To keep the music from sounding stiff, everyone tries to trust each other’s musical taste. Even though I write all of the tunes, it’s still a very open vibe on stage."
"No matter what song the band is playing, we’re always open to experimentation. Most of the members of the band have known each other for around ten years so we’ve got a great vibe going.”
1. 'Hurricane Mouse'
2. 'G Sus'
3. 'Piece of Mind'
4. 'Hotel Show Repeat'
5. 'Bad Apple'
6. 'South Beach Banjo'
7. 'Tom G'
8. 'Green Room'
9. 'Beach On Christmas'
10. 'Old Gift Card'
11. 'The Lay Off Song'
12. 'Hit Dog Ranch'
With the band consisting of Justin Rothberg – guitars;
Gil Smuskowitz – bass, Matsu – Drums; Tod Groves – woodwinds;
and Andy Oniel – Percussion, they open their new album on the pronounced funky jam of the title track 'Hurricane Mouse' and back that up with melodious Sunday brunch vibe of 'G Sus' and the cultured atmospherics of 'Piece of Mind.'
Next up is one of my own personal favorites, the perky little number 'Hotel Show Repeat,' and that's followed by the one-two, gentle reggae and jazz, ebb and flow of 'Bad Apple,' the impetuous 'South Beach Banjo,' and then both the guitar mastery of Rothberg on the ornate musing of 'Tom G' and the gently frenetic 'Green Room.'
Then we get more of their lush reggae and hip-hop vibe on 'Beach On Christmas,' which is backed by the slap bass work found on 'Old Gift Card,' with the album rounding out on the gently funk of 'The Lay Off Song,' closing on the eight minute long 'Hit Dog Ranch.'
Official Purchase Link
www.JustinRothberg.com
The Justin Rothberg Group @ Facebook