CD Reviews

The Boston Horns

Shibuya Gumbo | bostonhorns.com

By TED DROZDOWSKI | April 9, 2008

3.0 Stars

The Boston Horns

These primal-funk black belts led by former Heavy Metal Horns leaders Henley Douglas Jr. (sax) and Garret Savluk (trumpet) spare no grease on their sixth studio album. Things kick in with the Average White Band–style groover “Ask Me Later” and end with “It’s a . . . Vocal,” an update of the J.B.s’ sound with fellow Boston R&B sparkplug Barrence Whitfield filling in for the Hardest Working Man in Show Business. And if you don’t know who that was, maybe this booty-rockin’ disc can help you plug that hole in yo’ soul. In between there’s pumping originals, a throbbing recast of blues giant Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love to You” (also featuring Whitfield’s honking vocalise), Mr. Brown’s own “Givin’ Up Food for Funk,” and Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s working man’s anthem “A Real Mother for Ya.” Don’t let their provincial name fool you: this sextet are a world-class outfit.

Boston Horns with Barrence Whitfield | Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St, Somerville | April 19 | 617.776.2004

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Topics: CD Reviews , Barrence Whitfield , Henley Douglas , Entertainment , More

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