Minnesoda - Minnesoda (2021)

Minnesoda's little-known self-titled LP is pretty hot white funk jazz-rock, sounding a little like Chicago or Blood, Sweat & Tears might have had those stars decided to go less commercial rather than more commercial after their first albums. Actually, Minnesoda are rawer and more frenetic than Chicago or BS&T were even at their earthiest, though their material lacks the pop hooks of even the boldest Chicago/BS&T outings. A quartet of brassmen on tenor sax, flute, trumpet, and trombone augment the usual rock lineup in this octet, fronted by John Elms' credibly high-octane, lusty upper-register blue-eyed soul vocals. There's sometimes an almost big band-like dexterity to the horns, yet the more jagged, at times hyper, thrust of the guitars and drums give it a solid funk base. The melodies are often more ominous than they usually are in this kind of fare, frequently jetting off into unexpected, improvised-sounding horn interjections and key changes. Only the adventure film theme-like "Flexible Flyer," and the uncharacteristically reflective, jazzy ballad "Party" slow the tempo down much. Minnesoda might belatedly attract the interest of some collectors owing to the presence of the trumpeter Ed Shaw. That's the same Ed Shaw who played bass in the Monks, the 1960s band of ex-GIs who played in monks' costumes and did an album of weird proto-punk in Germany that attracted a devoted cult following decades later. If that's what perks your interest in Minnesoda, however, be cautioned that there's little stylistic overlap between them and the Monks, though the Minnesoda record isn't without its merits. ~ Richie Unterberger