The Soul Rebels - Poetry In Motion (2019)

Eight men pick up shiny brass instruments, lock into an unspoken groove and rotate genres like your favorite playlist shifting from jazz and R&B to hip-hop, pop and beyond with fire, focus and fluidity. New Orleans-bred staple The Soul Rebels expand musical boundaries with an unwavering commitment to originality. Far more than augmentation and accompaniment, the octet Julian Gosin [trumpet, MC], Marcus Hubbard [trumpet], Lumar LeBlanc III [snare drum], Derrick Moss [bass drum], Corey Peyton [trombone, MC], Erion Williams [saxophone], Paul Robertson [trombone] and Manuel Perkins Jr. [sousaphone] pioneer the integration of their chosen instrumentation. For Poetry In Motion the group s first album for their new imprint, Rebelution Music Group, on Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group The Soul Rebels infused this handcrafted approach into a wider sonic palette than ever before. We re always thinking about pushing the envelope, says Marcus. We re willing to merge different worlds together you would be surprised by. This particular album made us dig deeper into the reservoir of feelings both artistically and emotionally, adds Lumar. Our band members brought out all kinds of thoughts. The record represents eight different individuals with a lot of soul, emotion and feeling. As early as 2016, the musicians commenced plotting their next move. This time around, they rallied around a shared willingness to experiment and devoted the longest period yet to writing, producing and recording between regular touring, of course. For the first time, they incorporated drum machines and experimental production techniques in addition to opening up the process to co-writers and co-producers. As a result, the twelve tracks comprising Poetry In Motion attain new levels of performance proficiency, sonic adventurousness and anthem-like songwriting acumen. We really opened the door to taking the brass ensemble and sound to a contemporary and very modernized musical place, explains Julian. In the past, we ve treated our albums like private and personal projects with no one involved in our process. Here, we opened the door for collaboration and innovation. Poetry In Motion was a long journey, because we utilized everything at our disposal. It s the most intricate as far as production and recording goes. It was an experience, adds Lumar. We wanted this album to have a focus. To focus on reflecting each band member s feelings, musical inspirations and influences while making the sound contemporary and hip, says Marcus. We wanted to give everything this time. It touches on hip-hop, jazz and brass within the context of a very modern sound. We wanted to reach more listeners and reflect upon the sound of music culture today. We did exactly what we planned to here, Julian leaves off. We didn t confine the sound to a perception of what New Orleans is or what a brass band is. You can have this sort of instrumentation and make it totally global, universal and modern. Poetry In Motion features a power packed line up of notable artists including: Tarriona Tank Ball of Tank and The Bangas, Big Freedia, Robert Glasper, Branford Marsalis, Matisyahu, PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty and KES.