PREMIERE: Ghost Funk Orchestra, "Brownout" (digital single)
Ghost Funk Orchestra’s last effort The Haunt (11/2014) was a lo-fi DIY project, attempting to capture a series of jazz-inflected instrumental vignettes using only the four tracks of a Tascam analog tape recorder. The result was twelve minutes of raw, reverb-heavy soul, where the ends achieved a far greater depth than their simple means.
The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum, Ghost Funk has expanded considerably with their latest single, “Brownout,” from the upcoming full-length Night Walker (due to be released digitally on August 1). “Brownout” is brighter, dancier, and features the effortlessly sexy vocals of newcomer Adrii Muñiz. Applebaum has incorporated elements of Latin soul into his sound this time around, where shakers and pummeled hand drums drive hip-shaking verses into hard funk breaks.
Though the funk guitar and delay-laden trumpet outro say 1970s, “Brownout” belongs as much to the free thought and free love revolutions of 1968. There’s a riot goin’ on. Haven’t you heard? Incorporo a revolta. Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
Listen here:
