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Big
Tubba Mista
Knock One Back
 When
I was first handed Big Tubba Mista's CD, Knock One Back,
I thought to myself, "Ugh, another Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wannabe
band." I expected lots of enthusiasm and little musical follow-through.
Well, let's just say that I deserve a two-tone shoe in the butt
for such a close-minded assumption. This band is green, but it's
got pinache. Despite the unfortunate name and rather goofy inside
jacket photo, Big Tubba Mista has put together a wonderfully danceable
and enjoyable retro-swing album. In fact, it's the kind of rare
disk you can pop
in
for 45 minutes of Lindy practice without having to touch the stereo.
With the exception of "Quiet Whiskey," all of the songs
on this album are originals, and the band does some interesting
thinks with rhythm throughout the CD. In the opening number, "Killer
on 37th Street," the tempo shifts frmo a typical swing 4/4
to a funk feel, while "Backstreet Brawler" changes from
a would-be mambo into a heavy 4/4. Jonny Victor's energetic vocals
are well-perrered with instrumantal solos. With quality musicianship
and multi-instrumantalism, these cats acheive a full, rich sound
so rarely found among the neo-swing bands. Well done, boys.
-
Scott Friesen
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