London’s thundering jazz-funk powerhouse The Boom Yeh release their third album ‘Near-Earth Objects’, featuring 8 tracks of instrumental grooves spanning jazz fusion, soul jazz, funk rock and jazz funk, and featuring musicians who have worked with Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Alice Russell and Leroy Hutson. Powered by the powerful rhythm section of bandleader Jon Speedy on guitar, Matteo Grassi on bass and Alessio Barelli on drums, the grooves are interspersed with the intricate brass arrangements of saxophonist Ian Bailey, with renowned trombonist Tom White and baritone saxophonist Paul Silver in the spotlight. The concept behind the album was to create a group of concise instrumentals, as opposed to the lengthy compositions the band have previously explored. It’s a small window into their live sets, stripping away all the excess and getting down to the basics of the songs. This gives them the freedom to improvise in their performance, which expands the listener’s expectations and gives them something fresh and new every time. Opener ‘Keep Right On’ is a blazing syncopated jazz-funk attack reminiscent of The Brecker Brothers and Tower Of Power. It was the first single and features horn solos from trombonist Tom White and saxophonist/horn arranger Ian Bailey, followed by a virtuoso drum solo from Alessio Barelli. ‘Chronic Tonic’ was the album’s second single and is smooth jazz-funk with hip-hop undertones, echoing early Prince with a George Duke-style boogie/disco outro. While ‘Hot Tamale’ is a grinding funk-rock stomper and imaginary score for a forgotten exploitation film, with a heavy guitar solo from guitarist and bandleader Jon Speedy. ‘Pocket Rocket’ is a deep pocket funk homage to George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic with bebop-infused horn riffs. Solos include Paul Silver on baritone sax and guest keyboardist Carl Hudson on Oberheim synth. The title track is energetic jazz fusion that explores the universe of Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters with an afro-beat inspired horn outro and guest keyboardist Carl Hudson on Fender Rhodes and synth. ‘Othership’ is another cosmic number, with big band jazz funk and a rare groove in the middle section, composed entirely by Jon Speedy as a nod to his father Dave Speedy – a jazz trumpeter and big band leader. ‘Mind’s Eye’ combines chill-out with Donald Byrd and the Mizell Brothers, with luscious Fender Rhodes and synth overdubs from guest keyboardist Carl Hudson. Closing track ‘Possibilities’ goes neo-soul in the vein of Roy Hargrove. A nice discovery!
		Website The Boom Yeh Tracks: Keep Right On Chronic Tonic Hot Tamale Pocket Rocket Near-Earth Objects Othership Mind’s Eye Possibilities