Three London audiophiles with a penchant for hyper angular funk and analogue atmospherics, Brothers Rasputin release their supreme new EP, ‘Get Over It’, on 28 August. Featuring prestigious guest appearances from film composer Patrick Jonsson (the Oscar-nominated Virunga), jazz musician Mike McEvoy (Soul to Soul, Steve Winwood) plus backing vocal duties performed by the likes of Kelli-Leigh (Duke Dumont/Second City) and Bridgette Amofah (Rudimental), this new set of recordings embellishes the Brothers with a slick widescreen sheen to their intuitive groove.
The first three taster tracks from the EP are the Philly-style funky sizzler ‘Get Over It’, where singer Mitch’s unmistakable voice is enhanced by backing harmonies from chart-topping vocalist Kelli-Leigh (who sang on number one hits by Duke Dumont and Second City) and acclaimed session singer Victoria Beaumont. Ambient indie ballad ‘Eyes Won’t Leave You’ has an orchestral beauty encapsulated in the heart-rending string coda, arranged by Patrick Jonsson and performed live by one of London’s finest young string quartets. The song is lent a vague menace by its ambiguous lyrics, doubled up once more by luxuriant female harmonies. ‘In Your Body’ is all pealing guitar, woozy bass and inspired Hammond organ swells by renowned jazz player and composer Mike McEvoy underpinning an upper-register vocal earworm – “Don’t Want This In My Body” – characteristic of Mitch’s unique schtick.
About Brothers Rasputin
It’s fair to say that anyone who has witnessed Brothers Rasputin live is unlikely to forget the experience. In fact, they may have even briefly found themselves part of the show. For singer and guitarist Mitch utilises live looping techniques while prowling the stage and its surroundings, collaring, confronting and conversing with members of the audience as he delivers his spiky soprano vocals and choppy lead licks. He’s even been known to leap from the stage and wander into the gents while
still soloing – quite the surprise for anyone at the urinals. It all engenders a Brothers Rasputin gig with a heightened sense of tension and excitement that is grounded by the band’s ability to knock out steely psychedelic funk and ethereal sonic pop that calls to mind A Certain Ratio, Cake or Franz Ferdinand, as Nick Taylor (bass) and Rommy Turtev (drums) cement Mitch’s chops with a groovy fluidity. And this is why Rasputin offer so much more than shock value. They’ve the expertise and the ear for hooky, sturdy songcraft that has now been adroitly captured on their debut EP. Embellished and expanded by a host of musicians who the Brothers have admired for years, the band’s sound on ‘Get Over It’ has taken on a soulful quality that is set to lure a whole new audience, and thus provide mustachioed Mitch with plenty more human props to incorporate into his stage theatrics.
See Brothers Rasputin live
Monday 24 August: Servant Jazz Quarters, London N16 (official EP launch)
