Monkey
House is a band consisting of the core members singer,
songwriter, keyboardist Don Breithaupt, drummer Mark Kelso,
bassist Pat Kilbride, and guitarist Justin Abedin.
This core crew is joined on their new album Remember The Audio (2022) by Peter Cardinali (bass), William Sperandei (trumpet), William Carne (trombone), John Johnson (tenor sax), Vern Dorge (alto sax), Tony Carlucci (trumpet), Lucy Woodward (background vocals), David Blamires (background vocals), Drew Jurecka (violin, viola) and Blair Lofgren (cello).
Designated soloists are Randy Brecker (trumpet), Drew Zingg (guitar), Michael Leonhart (trumpet), Guido Basso (flugelhorn), Chris Butcher (trombone) and in addition some solos of the above mentioned musicians.For stylistic classification, similarities with bands like 10CC, Godley & Creme or Steely Dan are intentional and aimed.
The album opens with a bittersweet message: The Future Is Almost Gone. In keeping with the times, Don serves us the prospects of the near future in the style of Steely Dan.
Remember The Audio on the other hand, reminisces about the old days of the Am Radio format with the groups of the past like Maggy May, Marvi Gaye, Stagger Lee and Booker T.
New York Owes You Nothing is a wistful farewell to the city that gave you everything but asked for nothing in return. With We Will Meet Again Don speaks about that precious irretrievable moment that one believes will be repeated, when the repetition is so uncertain.
Skin in the Game deals with the familiar problem of being abandoned by the woman you love. She took your heart but not your soul, so get back on track.
Before You and After mourns the lost relationship that still haunts the soul. Beautiful and bad memories share the longing back to intensity. Major Minor once again flirts with the mystical, which can develop into a threat.
Last Days of Pompeii is by no means a historical retrospective of the fall of the Roman city located on Mount Vesuvius, but rather refers figuratively to the present, of which Dan paints a bleak picture.
Do Whatcha Gonna Do is a bitter elegy about an unsteady woman who lives only for the present and leads an erratic life. On Let Jenny Be Jenny Don lets loose about a growing self-confident teenager who is ready to go her own way.
The album finds a finale with Ever Since the World Ended, a cover of late Mose Allison's prophetic song, whose gloominess has gained a lot of authenticity in the current world situation.
With Monkey House's new album Remember The Audio Don Breithaupt approaches more and more the great role model Steely Dan, stylistically as well as in the poignant manner. If you are a fan of this group, you will also have a delicious delectation of this album.
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Album Information
Title: Remember The Audio
Artist: Monkey House
Year: 2022
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label:
ALMA Records
1) The Future Is Almost Gone (6:21)
2) Remember the Audio
(4:24)
3) New York Owes You Nothing (5:30)
4) We Will Meet
Again (4:52)
5) Skin in the Game (3:35)
6) Before You and
After (4:43)
7) Major Minor (4:48)
8) Last Days of Pompeii
(4:11)
9) Do Whatcha Gonna Do (4:04)
10) Let Jenny Be Jenny
(4:08)
11) Ever Since the World Ended (5:04)