I always tell people I’m a writer with a camera– not the other way around. Although I love taking photos and getting the perfect shot (although none of them are as perfect as the shots that @fantailmedia gets– shout out to him for being such an amazing photographer and great human in general), my passion is in writing. This came into play on Saturday night at the completely sold-out Turf Club in Saint Paul. I got some good shots of the opener but forfeited my spot by the stage to grab a couple of drinks between bands downstairs at the Clown Lounge, the basement bar of this famed venue. By the time I got back upstairs to catch the headliner, the room was packed, and I just didn’t feel right pushing my way to the front when, at the end of the day, this was one of those shows that my photos would never do justice for because the feeling in the room could not be captivated by just a couple of pictures.
I was super excited for the opening act room3. This group is innovative and exceptional, to say the least, and even though I’ve caught them a couple of times now, I still get overly excited when their name is on a bill that I’m going to see, with Saturday being no exception. Let’s go ahead and get this out there– I dislike jazz music. It’s what my dad lives and breathes and what I woke up to every morning when growing up. Maybe that’s the teenage angst that I never quite got through coming out, but jazz just has never done it for me– until this band. I wouldn’t say that they make jazz more accessible, but, in a way, they make it cool. Their complicated rhythms, mixed with the sheer genius musicianship of the players in this band, make it a set that I will never miss and one that you should absolutely go out of your way to check out.
Everyone in room3 is insanely talented and clearly devoted to their craft. Keyboardist Eli Awada always brings a sense of charisma and almost carefree whimsy to the stage, while sax player Jobon Williams brings a sense of virtuosity that just can not be put into words. Bassist Beck Madson seems to always be smiling in a way that can only come from “nailing it,” and percussionist Evan Espinoza does every little intricate percussion part with an undeniable sense of precision. Then you have drummer RATWHYLAH (aka Colin Mithcell). I honestly don’t even know where to start with this man, and I had to single him out but what a freaking beast. I said it the first time I saw this group live and will continue to preach it every time I see them; RATWHYLAH is the best drummer in the cities, and to see his genius unfold on a stage right in front of you will leave you absolutely speechless. Long story short, whether you like jazz music or not, give room3 a chance. They will either change your mind and make you fall in love with a genre you’ve all but written off or will be the reminder that jazz is still out there. It’s still innovative and continuously morphing with bands like room3, and we are insanely lucky to call them a local band.
There were a lot of shows happening on Saturday night including some once-in-a-lifetime type shows. Now, I’m not saying that the performances at The Turf Club weren’t once in a lifetime or anything like that, but it wasn’t quite the celebration happening at the 7th Street Entry with P.O.S. or the controversial Kid Rock show happening at The Target Center. That being said, I had made my decision on what show to go to on Saturday night a long time ago. Not only was it Black Market Brass, but it was Obi Original. On top of that, it wasn’t two separate sets; it was a collaborative set and a celebration for the new 45, “Battle Ready.” Yeah, a lot was happening throughout the Twin Cities on Saturday night, but if you were smart (which an entire sold-out crowd was), you were at The Turf Club.
Let’s start with Black Market Brass. This local brass band isn’t your typical brass band. It’s more fusion than that, and the way the band brings in afropsych thoughts and ideas to their unique blend of sounds makes them a stunning star in the local music scene. Don’t get me wrong, this group has bombastic horns, giving them the “brass band” name, but I feel like it’s so much more than just those blaring horns. The focus for me when it comes to this group is the percussion section. They bring an exotic flavor to the already unique sound. I could go into the theory of what the players in the particular section do, but unless you are a musician, it would go a bit over your head (no offense). I will say that watching the feeling that the musicians in this section bring to a Black Market Brass will make even the most rigid dancer turn into an interpretive dancing ballerina in such a beautiful way.
Now, let’s talk about Obi Original. The “Original” part of his name is so perfect because, like Black Market Brass and room3, Obi is one of a kind with what he brings to the stage. Although I was hoping for a set from just Obi and his band, Obi came as a solo act, only there to add vocals to the sounds of Black Market Brass. At first, I was a bit bummed that I wouldn’t have the booty-shaking explosion of electrified fun that I got last time I saw Obi Original and The Black Atlantics, but I quickly settled into the sound that would round out my night and, somehow, Obi had done it again. He had my rigid self feeling this uncontrollable sense of wanting to dance, which, eventually, I gave into. Although it wasn’t with his usual band, there was no mistaking Obi’s distinct vocals. They were presented in his dark and smoky tone but also with an undeniable sense of fervor that quickly spread like wildfire throughout the room.
So what do Black Market Brass and Obi Original have in common, and why were they sharing the stage on Saturday night? As mentioned, this show was a release party of “Battle Ready”- the new 45 from Black Market Brass that features Obi Original. This is the first time Black Market Brass has ever had vocals attached to their music, and although the band is great on their own, I have to wonder why it took so long for them to bring someone in like Obi Original to add that extra razzle-dazzle to their sound. It just felt “right,” like this partnership had been happening for years, which, unfortunately, took away a bit of the surprise that it worked so well together but, instead, added this sense of, “Yeah, this is perfect– all is right in the world!”
The sold-out audience danced their way late into the night. The merch table was swarmed for most of the night with people snatching up everything they could to commemorate this fantastic night. I didn’t get my hands on a t-shirt as they were out of my size by the time I got up to the table, and I didn’t get the photos of Black Market Brass that I wanted because I felt so guilty trying to push my way through such a packed and excited crowd but what I did get was a hell of a Saturday that will absolutely be one that I look back to at any point when my week gets a bit rough.
Line Up:
Venue: The Turf Club
Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable
Average Age of the Crowd: 42
Crowd Surfers- 0
Stage Divers- 0
Dance-ability- 11 out of 10
Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0
Broken Bones- None Noticed
Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing
Fights- None Witnessed
Pukers- 0
Passed Out People- 0
Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0
How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-
room3 – 2
Black Market Brass – 2
Obi Original – 3
Celebrity Sightings – None
Overall Score – 8.8 out of 10
Show on Deck —Stock Market Cinema / 1947 / Glitterpit
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