The Rumble - Stories from the Battlefield (2024) [Hi-Res]

On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you'll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as "the rumble". Featuring seven GRAMMY-nominated musicians, The Rumble is more than just a band—it's an opportunity to be immersed in a wholly unique facet of New Orleans culture. Composed of Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles, trumpeter Aurélien Barnes, trombonist José Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, guitarist Ari Teitel, keyboardist Andriu Yanovski, and drummer Trenton O’Neal, the group fuses iconic New Orleans funk in the vein of The Meters and The Neville Brothers—but updated, modern and vibrant befitting the next generation—with electrifying brass and the singular visual splendor of the Black Masking carnival tradition.

On their debut studio effort, Stories from the Battlefield, The Rumble boldly stake their claim as the torch bearers for where New Orleans music is going– a progressive, propulsive sound that packs venues across America, while keeping a firm grasp on the unique tradition that informs it. The musicians here don’t just have world class chops, they live this tradition every single day. Throughout the music, it’s evident– from the exaltation to “do it for your people” on “Take It Back” to the reminder that it takes a “heart of steel” to survive on the album’s title track– these Stories aren’t fiction.