Brass Construction — The Definitive Collection- Don't Stop Keep On

Active between the late '60s and mid 80’s Bass Construction where a New York Funk/ disco band who was unafraid to blend in other genres into their sound – moving from rock, jazz, Latin, reggae and beyond. Don’t Stop Keeping On is a three-disc compilation of the bands output- taking in forty-three tracks from across the bands ten released albums.

The three CD set appears on Robin Song- the funk/disco/ soul/ R&B reissue label of the mighty Cherry Red Records. The three CDs come presented in an eight-panel fold-out digipak, which takes in a sixteen-page inlay booklet- this features an eight write about the band/ release by Charles Waring, vinyl labels, band pictures, and album cover artwork.

Formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1967 Brass Construction was first named The Dynamic Soul. They started out as a quartet playing rock/R&B quartet under the leadership of keyboardist/ lead singer Randy Muller- during the late 60s/ early 70s the band gradually expanded to become a nine-piece by 1972, with these new members adding in influences of jazz and Latin music into the pot. Other key members of the band existence took in Wade Williamston (bass), Sandy Billups (percussion), Morris Price (trumpet), Larry Payton (drums), Jesse Ward Jr. (saxophone), Michael "Micky" Grudge (saxophone), Wayne Parris (trumpet), Duane Cahill (trombone), Joseph Arthur-Wong (guitar)  The band's first self-titled album appeared in 1975 on United Artists- going onto follow this on with nine more albums-1976’s Brass Construction II, 1977’s Brass Construction III,  1978’s Brass Construction IV,  1979’s Brass Construction 5, 1980’s Brass Construction 6, 1982’s Attitudes, 1983’s Conversation, 1984’s Renegades, and 1985’s Conquest. The band reunited in 2005 for a one-off in Paris- though since then a few members have passed away.

Each disc takes in between thirteen and sixteen tracks a piece- with the compilation laid out in a chronically manner- so disc one’s material is from between the years 75 & 76, disc two 77 and 82, and disc three 82 and 85- so it very much covers the whole of the bands existence.

So, on disc one, we move from the saucy ‘n’ shaking “Peekin”- with its sassy horn, sailing strings, jaunting keys, and sung to spoken male vocals about as its title suggests voyeurism- with shouts of ‘take all your clothes off'. Onto “The Message (Inspiration)” with its lulling ‘n’ lightly grooving blend of pumping horns, lightly twanging guitar, steady beats, and deeper male sing-song vocals. Though to funking “L-O-V-E-U” with its strutting to wailing guitars, grooving/ plodding bass, light horn/organ additions, and laid deep to mid-male vocals.

On disc number two we move from the jiving keys, deep twanging to searing synth tones darts, and grooving string ‘n’ horn work of “Music Makes You Feel Like Dancing”. Onto the tight bass guitar groove, strutting to rocking guitar work, and more atmospheric string/horn work of “Shakit”. Through stomping ‘n’ stamping groove, robot effect touched vocals, and buoyant weaving electro keys runs of “Attitude”.  The disc is finished off with the mellow groove of “E.T.C.” with its strolling blend of clean piano runs, light organ jives, clean guitar darts, and slightly vocoder-touched wordless vocals.

Finally, on disc three, we go sassy ‘n’ stabbing synth horn lined, jiving organ groove, male to wailing soulful female vocals “Do You Thang”. Onto the upfront/ thick synth keys, smarting ‘n’ snapping electro beats, and sassy male vocals of “Never Had A Girl”. Though to the jiving synth bass line, jaunting piano, sudden stabbing synth keys, turntable scratching textures, hissing ‘n’ punching beats, and latter sing-song vocals of “Zig Zag”.

All in all, Don’t Stop Keep On, is good overview of Bass Construction career- personally I prefer more the 70’s and very early 80’s work here, as unfortunately the later stuff often sounds too overproduced/ with not enough focus on groove and invention.