Audio Review: Wake and Tape by Pressure Fit with Darius Christian

Wake and Tape (2021)
Independent
Reginald Chapman
Darius Christian

There is no question that this Pandemic has pushed artists – who have been confined to their rooms, apartments, and homes with no typical outlet of expression – to figure out a way to still create art and meaning. For low brass instrumentalists, Reginald Chapman (Pressure Fit) and Darius Christian (Miley Cyrus, Macklemore), their frequent virtual hangs have led to an electrifying collage of sounds, lyrics, and well…brass!

Wake and Tape is a 22-minute long EP of seven tracks featuring beats that combine melodic layering from brass instruments with electronic beats that can lead to anything – from dance, to love, to focus, to groove.

Starting with “Gurge” the shuffling of beats introduces lyrics that cause a swirling downward fall into beats that create a thunderous rhythmic clap that could shake the earth. The track “Clark,” elevates the sound of brass with the use of tenor horn, trombone, and bass trumpet, again, with a mixture of flowing melodies combined with crisp electronic and organic rhythmic attacks. The syncopated bass in the tuba rapidly brings the juice in a way that can only be replicated through the human performance of an instrument.

“Esoquince” continues in the same vein as the previous track with the syncopated bass; however, more layers are added through voice and brass. The sizzle in the long-held notes through multiple octaves allows for that added girth in sound that any low brassist would crave. With a chorale-like buildup from the brass, the track strikes a chord in its mesmerizing chant through vocals.

Leading into the pinnacle track of the EP, “Wide Eyes” gives words to the beloved with the brass holding down the lower octave of the vocals. Through an ocean-like flow from Christian’s hypnotic chorus line, the bridge of the tune beautifully crashes into an improvised solo from the brass that speaks non-verbal words to the listener. “Pow3r” begins with an emergency announcement of snowplows and the removal of cars that is then echoed by siren-like horn calls from the brass.

The penultimate track “Urge” is a mashup of chant-like baritone voicing with a beat that is rapidly driving into the final track “Gurge”, a reprise of the first track. Here in the reprise, we hear the underwater tones of brass all mixed together in a whirlwind of sound that brings the entire package to a resounding close.

Pressure Fit is pushing the envelope on what brass playing can do by combining many subgenres of electronic music with very, very hip brass playing. By Chapman tag-teaming with Christian to construct this short-but-dense EP, a stimulating collection of music has been created for any listener.

Tracklist:
1. Gurge
2. Wide Eyes
3. Esoquince
4. Pow3r
5. Clarke
6. Urge
7. Gurge (reprise)

Click here to purchase Wake and Tape on Bandcamp.

Click here to learn more about Reginald Chapman (Pressure Fit).

Click here to learn more about Darius Christian.