Rebirth Brass Band: James Durant (saxophone); Shamarr Allan, Glen Andrews (trumpet); Tyrus Chapman (trombone); Phil Frazier (tuba); Derek Tabb, Keith Frazier (drums). Recorded at The Maple Leaf, New Orleans, Louisiana in December 1998. Includes liner notes by Geraldine Wyckoff. The Rebirth Brass Band may be the most overlooked band in America. Since the early '80s, this New Orleans ensemble has been turning a traditional brass band line-up into a propulsive gale force strong enough to tear the roof off any venue brave enough to try and contain it. In concert, Rebirth's innovative, butt-moving blend of jazz, funk and hip-hop creates exhilaration for the ears and body almost impossible to capture on record. THE MAIN EVENT: LIVE AT THE MAPLE LEAF, however, comes close. The dizzying melodic lines of "Blackbird Special," the groove-saturated cover of "It's All Over Now," the should-be classic Rebirth original "Don't Start No Shit!" and the "The Main Event," a 30 minute-plus medley of tunes, all document Rebirth at their jubilant best. The energetic symbiosis between band and audience, a characteristic central to Rebirth performances, is evoked in the chants, yells, and call-and-response segments littered throughout. Though the sound quality is somewhat raw and ragged, it seems only appropriate, given the loose, wild aesthetic of these kings of original, wholly irresistible party music. If you can't see Rebirth live, THE MAIN EVENT is the next best thing.

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Rebirth Brass Band: James Durant (saxophone); Shamarr Allan, Glen Andrews (trumpet); Tyrus Chapman (trombone); Phil Frazier (tuba); Derek Tabb, Keith Frazier (drums). Recorded at The Maple Leaf, New Orleans, Louisiana in December 1998. Includes liner notes by Geraldine Wyckoff. The Rebirth Brass Band may be the most overlooked band . Since the early '80s, this New Orleans ensemble has been turning a traditional brass band line-up into a propulsive gale force strong enough to tear the roof off any venue brave enough to try and contain it. In concert, Rebirth's innovative, butt-moving blend of jazz, funk and hip-hop creates exhilaration for the ears and body almost impossible to capture on record. THE MAIN EVENT: LIVE AT THE MAPLE LEAF, however, comes close. The dizzying melodic lines of "Blackbird Special," the groove-saturated cover of "It's All Over Now," the should-be classic Rebirth original "Don't Start No Shit!" and the "The Main Event," a 30 minute-plus medley of tunes, all document Rebirth at their jubilant best. The energetic symbiosis between band and audience, a characteristic central to Rebirth performances, is evoked in the chants, yells, and call-and-response segments littered throughout. Though the sound quality is somewhat raw and ragged, it seems only appropriate, given the loose, wild aesthetic of these kings of original, wholly irresistible party music. If you can't see Rebirth live, THE MAIN EVENT is the next best thing.