The debut album from cinematic funk/soul duo Hot Mustard is another project in the list of exciting ambient instrumental works this month. Hot Mustard combine the ‘retro with the radical’ in this project that infuses old school funk and soul with modern sensibilities of trip-hop and electronic. The duo consist of guitarist/producer Jack Powell and bassist Nick Carusos, both of whom stir together an exceptionally tasteful mix of their own spices into a sauce that’s smoky and supple. Fueling the record throughout is Big Brass Beats, the all brass horn section out of Brooklyn, NY, featuring horn parts written and arranged by Grammy-nominated trumpeter Jordan Mclean (Antibalas) with Dave “Smoota” Smith (TV On The Radio) holding down the trombone.
There’s a lot to be enjoyed while sifting through this record. The excited bass on tunes like ‘Spicy Brown’ is just loaded with sauce and character. And then other pieces like Lampshade have their own style and suave more on the electro beats side of the fence. Their lead single, ‘Window Seat’ was accompanied by a video that’s ripe with imaginative animations crafted by Jack Powell. With heavy inspiration from Monty Python visuals, Powell sort of chronologizes a day in the life of a creative introvert. It’s a particularly immersive audio-visual experience that’s bound to awaken your senses.
If the album name didn’t make it abundantly clear, Hot Mustard are loaded with sauce. They’re just effortlessly stylish, the kind of group you’d pay good money to see improvise and jam in a jazz bar. Their skill is beyond question with each track boasting immaculate arrangement and equal instrumental dexterity. But it’s their suaveness that sets them apart, the fact that they’re making a groovy lounge project so instantly cool. It’s just so easy to get into, with every minute spent just doling out more and more good vibes to the listener. You’d be hard pressed to find another project combining retro-soul with modern electronic as comfortably and pleasurably as this one. Lay back, chillout, and let Mother Sauce take you where it may.
Check my playlists here!