★★★★★
The jazz element of Black Sabbath in its initial years was undeniable. Bill Ward and Geezer Butler swung as much as they bashed for a hard rock rhythm section, and Tony Iommi's guitar playing could have heavied up an extended jam with Miles' electric band. It's shocking given just how well their music lends itself to more creative representations beyond the cliched metal and punk tributes, which makes this infinitely fun set by Austin, TX psych-funk ensemble Brownout such a blast...
- www.jambands.com
2014-12-11
★★★★★
In 2000, a German producer under the guise of Señor Coconut y Su Conjunto released
- www.austinchronicle.com
2014-07-10
★★★★★
Austin's gritty 8-piece jazz-funk-psych band Brownout (which also shares members with Grupo Fantasma) offers up a strong Latin-tinged tribute to heavy metal gods Black Sabbath, seamlessly combining pummeling rock grooves and heavy psych-guitar riffs with Latin percussion and fiery horns. 6/12/2014
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- kexp.org
2014-06-14
★★★★★
Side projects live in danger of becoming a dumping ground for unfinished and tangential ideas. Brownout has masterfully averted the pitfall thus far, dishing out after-hours funk that perfectly counters Grupo Fantasma's big-band fervor. The local octet's 2007 debut, Homenaje, hit like a Texas heat wave, stretching sweaty Latin instrumentals for miles, while 2009's retro-futuristic Aguilas and Cobras delved deep into Chicano soul...
- www.austinchronicle.com
2012-05-21
★★★★★
The third album from this Austin band featuring members of Grupo Fantasma is another first-rate set of gritty Latin jazz-funk spiked with psych-rock, Afro-beat and more, with bright horn riffs, funky acid-rock guitars, hot rhythms and occasional group vocals.
- kexp.org
2012-04-09
★★★★★
Track Listing: Con El Cuete; Ayer Y Hoy; Aguilas and Cobras; Tell Her She's Lovely;Framed by Death; Another Fire; Olvidalo; The Flea (Interlude); Slinky;Pole Position; C 130; Family Show; Chanclas de Ninja; Nawlins; SemiFuturistic Love Affair / Con el Cuete (Reprise). Personnel: Adrian Quesda: guitars; Greg Gonzalez: bass; Johnny Lopez: drums; BetoMartinez: guitars; Mark V...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2009-12-24
★★★★★
Brownout comes out guns blazing on "Con el Cuete," the opening shot from sophomore album Aguilas and Cobras. Its crushing Mandrill-inspired rock guitars signal a break from instrumental debut Homenaje, as do the chanting group vocals, led by James Petralli of White Denim. The sweaty Latin funk workouts that made this Grupo Fantasma offshoot famoso are still present; that they get lost in the shuffle is a testament to the set's intrepidness...
- www.austinchronicle.com
2009-10-31
★★★★★
The cover of Brownout's debut, Homenaje - Spanish for "homage" - preserves a traditional Mexican shrine with many of the group's inspirations, among them old vinyl LPs, a wrestling action figure, and a bottle of Buchanan's Scotch whisky. The musical output from Grupo Fantasma's funky alter ego also pays tribute...
- www.austinchronicle.com
2009-07-21
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