"What would you get if you took the influences of James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Mark Ronson, and the Commodores and mixed them together in a big ole' ebullient soul stew? This track is what. From the catchy bass to start the track, to the wonderful breaks, to incredible musicianship this has it all, and like the best of Motown makes joyfulness seem effortless. Not sure how this group is a funk secret, but long may The Brooks flow. " - Norm (Earshot Distro Reviewer)
The Brooks
(From Label) Named the “best kept secret of Canadian funk” by La Presse, The Brooks are a band of accomplished musicians, well-known in the soul/funk scene across the Atlantic. The Brooks are fronted by the icon that is Alan Prater. the Florida-born musician who has toured with Michael Jackson and the band itself was born behind the walls of the legendary Motown Museum thanks to bassist Alexandre Lapointe, who has worked alongside such artists such as Joel Campbell (musical director for Tina Turner and Janet Jackson). Prater and Lapointe are joined by Maxime Bellavance (drums), Philippe Look (guitar & vocals), Daniel Thouin (keyboard), Sébastien Grenier (saxophone), Hichem Khalfa (French trumpet), and Philippe Beaudin (percussion). In their music you can hear James Brown’s meticulousness, D’Angelo’s delightfulness, Fela Kuti’s radiance, Herbie Hancock’s intergenerational openness, and J. Dilla’s innovative spirit. These heroes of music didn’t let rules and trends dictate their messages, and neither do The Brooks. Just like these history makers, they built their reputation with sweat and rigor, outside of conventional channels. Over 8 years and with an EP and two albums, they have already won many awards and nominations including GAMIQ, Independent Music Awards, and ADISQ. The Brooks’ philosophy is based on art in its rawest form, on perfectionism in musical practice. The choices they make and the directions they take are motivated mostly by instinctive feelings. Together they are united in a project where pleasure and complete artistic freedom are the only key words.