Odd Family - Minor Element (Album Review)
Large ensembles have always been a part of music history. From communal music making in rural villages to royally-funded chamber orchestras to hybrid/fusion projects, the well runs deep and the cross section of collaborative musicians can yield some amazing music. If you were to pick a group that has influenced the world of instrumental music-making in recent years, many can point directly to Snarky Puppy’s widespread influence on the global music scene, with their inventive compositions utilizing all sorts of sounds and styles on records like Family Dinner, GroundUp, and the infamous We Like It Here. Michigan audiences are treated to stellar groups building on this type of sound like Minor Element, a collective of highly talented artists based in Battle Creek, MI that has grown from a trio in 2012 to a full 9-piece band in 2021. Currently, the lineup includes bandleader and keyboardist/synth player Brandon Fitzpatrick, keyboardist Tom Ryberg, drummer Anthony Tyler, percussionist Colin Wilson, bassist Troy Roberston III, guitarist/sound engineer Braulio Green, guitarist Ben Crino, trumpeter Brent Proseus, and saxophonist Quinn Blakeney. For their latest record, Odd Family, it feels like the product of years of work behind the scenes, around the Michigan music scenes, and the gathering of a family strengthened in the featuring of Michigan artistry and digging deep to explore the range of their influences.
The record kicks off with “Double Speak,” the perfect way introduce this family gathering to listeners. An afrobeat groove immediately gets you moving, with horns and keys creating a winding melody overtop as the energy slowly builds to some hits, opening up for Tom Ryberg to take a warm, gospel/jazz infused Rhodes solo. The energy builds once again, only to shift moods to an exposed bass/keys bass line while Brandon Fitzpatrick on synth and Ben Crino on guitar trade solos around a new horn section melody. The final stretch of the tune features a funk-fueled, driving groove that let’s drummer Anthony Tyler really open up and sink into the pocket, all while saxophonist Quinn Blakeney soars confidently overtop for one final solo feature. For track two, “Finster” starts off with a hypnotic blend of guitars, percussion, and keys around an odd-metered groove, with piano quoting a melody line that is the perfect earworm for the horns to echo. As the harmony shifts, Brandon trades solos on piano with trumpeter Brent Proseus until the melody is reintroduced in different keys, allowing Brandon to then take time on his Moog Voyager to perform a blazing solo packed with emotional bends. The groove’s foundation shifts, allowing for some wonderful interplay between the ensemble while Anthony Tyler lays down a powerful drum solo.
“5-D” starts with Anthony’s drumming and opens up to a flurry of notes from the horn melody, with dotting textures and harmonies from the various keyboard layers, leading into a winding synth solo from Brandon. The added layer of percussion throughout from Colin Wilson adds a great texture to the robust rhythm section, a definite strength throughout this record. Anthony opens up for an extended drum solo, with the energy building around a new set of interweaving melodies and textures right before a new accompaniment is set for Ben Crino’s guitar solo. One last groove and melody wraps up this nearly 15 minute opus, locking into a heavy, rock-driven fusion vibe complimented with some almost comedically placed hits from the rhythm section (seriously, listen to the execution of those moments!).
The title track, “Odd Family,” begins with a lilting mixed-meter backbeat that highlights an infectious horn hook, quickly shifting to a mysterious, moody groove that segues into an almost carnival-style waltz with Brent Proseus laying down a trumpet solo full of chops, attitude, and theatrics abound with his use of a plunger mute. The horn hook returns in the new key and mood before all is stripped away, aside from guitar swells and minimal drums, to let bassist Troy Robertson solo with all sorts of spirit, tonal variety (gritty overdrive, octave layers, etc), and meaty, heavy phrasing that stands out among the featured solos on this record. The track fades away to bass, percussion, and hand claps, allowing the energy to settle before the next number.
At just over 8 minutes, “Prospero” is the shortest track on this epic record, and it makes use of every minute to vibe hard on a heavier, more laid back groove sprinkled with moments of calm and space. It is also a tune without any soloists featured, opting instead to highlight the power of a collective sound around this instrumental arrangement. To close out the record, “Steep” soaks the senses in a warm bed of keyboard sounds, an undercurrent of percussion, and a soulful horn melody. Ben Crino is featured one last time on guitar, with the latter half of the tune ebbing and flowing between intimate keyboard-focused expressions and a full, celebratory final statement from the full crew.
Odd Family is a perfect summation of this band’s dynamic, one filling every corner of sonic space with something to enjoy and remember long after the record stops. The multiple years of this group taking shape, the hours of writing and crafting, the pre- and current pandemic scheduling hurdles for sessions and rehearsals, and the dozens of shows around the Midwest solidifying the unit and repertoire all culminates into this singular expression of artistry. Each track feels like a moment of a big family gathering: pulling out all of the style, keeping the vibes rolling, and letting everybody pull up and have their say at the table. It’s as much a celebration of Southwest Michigan musicianship and artistry as it is a celebration of life, community, and the creative spirit of collaboration, and it begs to be experienced live. Hears to 2022, when Minor Element will no doubt be bringing their family to stages all year long!
Support Minor Element:
Website: https://www.blvcksheepmusic.com/abt-minor-element
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minorelement/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minorelementofficial/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/minorelement
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/47vCiE0QuZQtClpuB7myjq?si=uYcD9TZNTYO7YFgBEeVLqg
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/minor-element/1385758059
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/minor-element/ARXV455tr4xZrdX
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVnAvy9TiFpvpa10NizXXUw
Album Credits:
Brandon Fitzpatrick - Piano & Synth
Tom Ryberg - Rhodes & Synth
Anthony Tyler - Drums
Colin Wilson - Percussion
Troy Robertson III - Bass
Braulio Green - Guitar
Ben Crino - Guitar
Brent Proseus - Trumpet
Quinn Blakeney - Saxophone
Mixed by Sam Peters and Nick Pasquino
Mastered by Ian Gorman
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at La Luna Recording & Sound
Album Artwork by Maxim Schleicher
See them perform with The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra for their holiday concert during the 2021-2022 season! Check this link for details on the event and tickets!
https://yourmusiccenter.org/?s=minor+element
Click the image to listen to the album!
Minor Element Live at The Flint Public Library
“Odd Family” Live at River City Studios
“Steep” Live at River City Studios
“Finster” Live at River City Studios
Interview with Bandleader/Keys/Synth Player Brandon Fitzpatrick on my podcast, “Life is a Piano!”