The Budos Band - VII

A sinister, swaggering dose of Staten Island’s signature cinematic funk, blending Afro-soul grit with occult-tinged metal vibes that’ll rattle your speakers and your spine. Born two decades ago, the nine-piece Budos Band crew—led by Dan Foder’s rumbling bass, Thomas Brenneck’s fuzzed-out guitar, and Jared Tankel’s commanding baritone sax—has evolved from Fela Kuti-inspired grooves to a darker, heavier sound since 2014’s Burnt Offering. VII delivers 11 tight tracks, each a short, sharp spell of instrumental wizardry. “Thrice Crowned” kicks things off with a car-whoosh and wailing trumpets over gritty bass, setting a moody, film-noir tone. “Overlander” struts like a superhero’s entrance, with Mike Deller’s spooky organ and Tankel’s ominous sax weaving through stereo fuzz. “Kudzu Vine” chugs on a relentless four-note bassline, horns soaring like a warning cry, while “Behind the Black Curtain” channels Ennio Morricone with echoey guitar and a low, growling sax that moans like a wounded beast.

Recorded with analog warmth by producer Thomas Brenneck, VII feels like a lost ‘70s soundtrack for a gritty spy flick or vampire western. It’s a must-have for fans of raw, genre-defying funk, cementing The Budos Band’s legacy as alchemists of groove who turn menace into magic.

Note: All orders ship from France. VAT not charged (TVA non applicable, article 293 B du CGI). Worldwide shipping available. Images shown are mock-ups — actual vinyl may differ slightly.