Menahan Street Band – The Crossing
Not sure how I stumbled upon this release – it came out last fall. I assume I read a review. I listened to it a few times and then forgot about it. Found it in my iTunes last night. It was a pleasant discovery, like finding a $20 bill in suit coat pocket.
A very cool contemporary instrumental soul-jazz album. Menahan Street Band are a Brooklyn-based group connected to the Daptone scene. Members have or do serve in The Dap-Kings, Antibalas, The Budos Band, etc. Their 2008 debut album, Make The Road By Walking, was sampled by Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, Curren$y to name the heavy hitters.
The music is kind of slow, spooky, and cinematic. Slurring horns, cheesy (and that is good thing) keyboards, guitars and even some harp. Think of a funkified spaghetti western. This makes great background music, but it is also rich enough to enjoy in an active listening mode. The overall vibe is late night with bourbon and good cigar.
Check out the video below to get a sense of the band.
Axl's Catch Groove 
He learned about the band from me, his extremely hip son.
I discovered them via a Jay-Z sample flip and my old radio co-host Quinn – whom had the album on his list of favorite albums of 2012.
extremely hip son – ok the apple does not fall far from the tree
It sounds like something from a Quentin Tarantino movie. Nice!
I like this!