NEW RELEASES: HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE – BROTHERS HYPNOTIC; AS IS - ALAN SCHULMAN / STACEY SCHULMAN - HERE’S TO LIFE; GOGO PENGIUN – A HUMDRUM STAR

HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE – BROTHERS HYPNOTIC:  A Film By Reuben Atlas About The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (with DVD)

A fantastic little package – one that not only features music by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, but also a DVD that tells the story of the group's unique legacy too! The story of the ensemble has been told before – they are all sons of the legendary Phil Cohran, of Artistic Heritage Ensemble fame – and growing up together, they not only absorbed their father's sense of spiritual jazz, but also his individuality as well! There's few groups we could imagine making a set of brass instruments sound this great – and the accompanying film shows just how much thought and dedication go into their music. The album features some live tracks – "Balicky Bon", "Jupiter", "Indigo", and "Mars" – and studio tracks "Navigator", "Touch The Sky", and "Kryptonite" – plus "Black Boy", which also features Phil Cohran. DVD features performances by the group, plus appearances by Mos Def, Damon Albarn, and Prince! (DVD is NTSC, Region 0.)  ~ Dusty Groove

AS IS - ALAN SCHULMAN / STACEY SCHULMAN - HERE’S TO LIFE

Here’s To Life, the newest CD by As Is, featuring jazz guitarist Alan Schulman and jazz vocalist Stacey Schulman, is an eclectic mix of tunes that showcases Alan’s soulful acoustic and electric jazz guitar playing and Stacey’s versatile vocal stylings. The CD is a testament to the creativity and exploratory resilience of artists who refuse to settle for hackneyed tropes. Surprises abound on this CD. Whether the duo tackles pop tunes like “Save Your Love for Me,” Janis Ian’s “Some People’s Lives,” Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” or music by Gershwin or Dizzy Gillespie, Stacey and Alan imbue each song with their own highly original musical perspectives

GOGO PENGIUN – A HUMDRUM STAR

Different sonic worlds have always collided in the sound of GoGo Penguin. The UK trio conjures richly atmospheric music that draws from their shared love of electronica, their grounding in classical conservatories & jazz ensembles alongside indie bands. Over the past few years, it has earned them rapturous responses all over the world and proved that they're just as at home playing to muddy festival goers as jazz fans. GoGo Penguin's vivid new album A Humdrum Star comes out Feb. 9. Hear the single "Bardo" now.