The Brooks. This name evokes hot, humid, and memorable evenings at the Dièse Onze club in Montreal. Musically sweltering Wednesdays, and this regularly for a few years, about a decade ago. Le Dièse Onze vibrated to the guitar riffs, the pumping bass, the melodies of the brass, the power of the drums, the irresistible syncopations of the ensemble, and of course the fiery presence of the absolute leader Alan Prater. Ah, what we would give to relive that experience, even just once! Trust me: The Brooks at Dièse Onze – The Return, you would have to book months in advance! Well…
In the absence of the perfect vintage, we will fully appreciate the electric atmosphere of one of their (very numerous) shows elsewhere in the world. Because The Brooks is currently THE brand of classic funk all over the planet! Proof of this is their performance at the Rio das Ostras Jazz Festival (near Rio), where the band is proudly associated with the Montreal brand. We thank them for it! It’s pure The Brooks: inflexible beats but impeccably smooth, perfect wah wahs on the guitar, enticing swagger, and Prater’s charismatic presence. The brass gleams, the rhythm section pulses, and the guitars convert even the most reluctant (whoever they may be!).
Other good funk bands currently exist: Dumpstaphunk, Ghost-Note (more jazz), Vulfpeck (more disco), and several others. The Brooks certainly belongs to this international elite.
THE BROOKS :
Alan Prater: Lead Vocals, Trombone
Alexandre Lapointe: Bass
Philippe Look: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Philippe Beaudin: Percussion, Backing Vocals
JOINED ON STAGE FOR ‘LIVE IN BRAZIL’ BY:
Masimo Sansalone: Drums
Daniel Thouin: Keyboards
Philippe Brochu-Pelletier: Saxophone, Backing Vocals
Andy King: Trumpet, Backing Vocals
