Crowd funding for independent artists is a relatively old concept that has applied itself to a shiny new concept called the Internet, something that Brian Culbertson has learned to utilize very well. For those of you who have no idea what were talking about here, it is Brian Culbertson’s video blog series that has led to his very masterful re-interpretations of his album Long Night Out. Re-mastered and re-mixed with a few new music legends Another Long Night Out expands on the original giving us a peak into what Culbertson truly wanted from his original recordings.
A beautiful and unrushed overture led by the very skillful ivory work of Brian Culbertson drops into a wild blast of funk delivered by Alex Al on bass in this rendition of ‘City Lights’. Soon the full spectrum of the horn section comes to life, complete with a flugelhorn, trombone, and trumpet, but not before the guest feature Lee Ritenor gives us an enigmatic solo to think about while weaving back and forth behind the horn section. Culbertson effortlessly pulls in to lead the arrangement again showing off his prowess as a pianist. The call is returned by the masterful Ritenour’s guitar work before cooling down into a duel between the two after the groove finds its way back to its original smooth feel.
‘Fullertone Ave.’ starts us off with a dark and misty feeling of a very moving funky jazz balled. Hopping between a build up and a break down the song cools off to let Culbertson take his leads before being accompanied by wild horn swells filled out by Eric Marienthal on the alto and tenor sax. With a foundation reminiscent of some tracks from the fantastic David Sandborn albums that both featured and were produced by Marcus Miller such as ‘Voyer’ or ‘Straight o the Heart’ this track hurdles into a wave of powerful guitar effects that build a lead line with an air of calm movement that signals the end.
‘Beyond The Frontier’ holds on to a euphoric feeling of ambience highlighted by the work of David Benoit’s string arrangement. Ultimately falling into a unique baled that highlights some of the lesser seen, Far East instruments, such as the Tabla and Sitar work that can be heard on this track courtesy of Brian Kilgore and Michael Thompson. This unique blend moves us out of space and time and leaves us feeling the euphoria brought on by this beautiful arrangement of Culbertson’s.
‘Heroes Of The Dawn’ very quickly sheds its slow intro for a more driving rhythm section. Filled with a question and answer horn section that quickly builds the theme of this song before diving headlong into a swirl of wild solos. Culbertson shows off his trombone skills in this song keeping up with the masters Eric Marienthal and Rick Braun on saxophone and flugelhorn respectfully.
‘Beautiful Liar’ boasts another stringed arrangement held down by David Benoit before it lends its ballad nature to none other than the great Steve Lukather on Guitar, throwing a tornado of guitar greatness in your face before fading away almost as instantaneously as it came in with a sudden blast of stringed greatness.
Another brilliant guitarist, Russ Freeman is brought into the fold in this very fast paced and ecstatic ‘Double Exposure’. A unique feature on this track highlights the fretted as well as the fretless bass work of Jimmy Haslip. This upbeat piece of urban jazz smears its strikingly edgy image on this album, leaving us with a fade out as if to wave goodbye to this track.
‘Twilight’ is a highlight that brings to light the exceptional work of Eric Marienthal as he very elegantly lays down the soprano sax lines that characterize this track. Overall this track brings about a tone of serene energy that is unmatched in this album.
‘Horizon’ shows off the very RnB roots in this contemporary jazz groove. Holding the edgy vibe with a strong and thumping bass line. The trumpet work of ‘Patches’ Stewart clearly outlines why the very capable player was chosen to feature on this track. Leaving us with a muted trumpet solo that fades into the distance, this track is definitely a staple of the album.
‘Along With You’ vaunts a very softly plucked jazz tune for all the lounge lizards. The very soft build up into dissonance is matched by whispers of funky guitar lines that expand the track into swells of sweet serenity.
‘Long Night Out’ definitely holds one of the longest lineups of fantastic musicians on this album. None of them however seem to pop out more than Candy Dulfer on Alto Sax during the songs sudden breakdown that immediately rises into a powerful solo held by a strong rhythm section let again by basest Alex Al. If you’ve ever had a long night out this song will definitely stir up some memories for you.
Standing out from the rest of the album ‘Changing Tides’ features some very interesting vocal work by Jonathan Butler who incidentally also fills out the dreamy nylon guitar lines throughout the track. A slowly building, chime filled, walk on the wetter side of things, this song brings out all the savory flavors that you were left wanting before the albums closure.
Overall Culbertson’s crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo was a great success and has left us with yet another golden masterpiece of an album created independently by a musician. Another Long Night Out is not only a peak into the mind of Brian Culbertson, it is an amazing jazz piece deserving of spot on your shelf.
Written by: C.J. El-Khazen
Edited by: NJ Bakr
– Check more info about the artist and his album through here.
