Busty and the Bass – The ET Suite EP

Montreal funk-jazz octet Busty and the Bass’s new EP ET Suite is, true to its title, as a spacey cosmic musical trip. Calling themselves a “genre-bending soul band”, the group combines conventional instrumentals like guitar and drums with strong vocals, a horn section and the use of eclectic musical styles. The record is a five-track collection reworking their original psychedelic funk excerpted from their 2020 record Eddie, transformed into original varying pieces.

Sultry, fun and cutting edge with a 1970s meets 2050 sound, this entire work is about a cosmic party, prompting visualisations of dancing in galactic night clubs. Each track is written in isolation, with one counterpointing the other with simultaneous diverse rhythms and the repeated “Gonna have a space f****in’ party tonight.”

Opening with ET, otherworldly sounds burst into a sizzling, passionate tempo with a hip-hop vibe and powerful beat, as falsetto voices croon, “If you want to get drunk on Mars girl…”  ET Part ll: Venus is smooth funk about a “rings of Saturn” space jam, featuring cool singing by Terrell Morris, followed by terrific female vocalists Kallitechnis and Tika the Creator. 

The warm, rich beat and potent brass, and sensational super dynamic jazz soul of ET Part lll: Jupiter (featuring Verdine White) are a prelude and seamless transition to a surprising, contrasting piece, ET Part lV: Neptune with eccentric high-pitched vocals and bursting, flowing piano. The unearthly falsetto voices created by Pierre Kwenders sound as if they could be of alien provenance, or American Indian chants. Words are in a foreign language – possibly French, or maybe Neptunian. Psychotic, fast-paced, orgiastic, ET Part V: Mars explodes with a 60s psychedelic frenzy, morphs into smooth big band brass, then abruptly fades to beeps, like a heart monitor.

A continuous space bash, ET Suite is like a modern Earth, Wind and Fire rocking among the stars. The narrative might be about seduction, climax and aftermath, as a couple meet and dance – planet hopping from Venus (a symbol of female beauty, desire and passion) to Jupiter (planet of expansion and good luck), Neptune (signifying liberation and receptivity) and finally Mars, which represents masculinity, vitality, action and new beginnings. 

With excellent composition, vocals and instrumentals this outstanding album is mysterious, celebratory, energising, and uplifting – a piece for dancing or driving to that won’t tire with replaying.

Catherine Sedgwick

The ET Suite is released on 17^th March 2021. For further information or to order the EP visit Busty and the Bass’s website here.