This is the 12th full-blown instrumental album by UK based Redtenbacher's Funkestra. 'Big Funk Band' is a collection of eight original and expertly crafted Jazz Funk album with a stellar line up of Jazz and Funk heavies alongside the battle hardened core of the Funkestra's inner core. Some of the guests are Cory Wong (gtr), Stanton Moore (drs), Keith Carlock (drs), Benny Greb (drs), Francesco Mendiola (drs), Tucker Antell (saxophone), Bruce Gertz (double bass) and Mike Outram (UK).

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credits
released April 30, 2021

For performer credits please see each individual track.

Produced and arranged by Stefan Redtenbacher (except where indicated)
All songs written by Stefan Redtenbacher
Mixed and mastered by Rupert Christie
Artwork by Angus McKinnon
Graphic design by Stefan Redtenbacher
RSB Records RSB 73700

London based Redtenbacher’s Funkestra are probably best known for their original ‘wall-to-wall’ instrumental Jazz Funk.

The band is the creation of bassist and Austrian expat Stefan Redtenbacher who is the writer, principal arranger and producer of this large ensemble opus – long-play number #12 to be exact.

This offering – as the name implies – certainly does their reputation justice.

Like the opening track ‘Crescent City’ which is an homage to the musical melting pot and birthplace of Jazz (New Orleans) this album is drawing from a wide range of influences performed with nearly 50 musicians from Austria, Cuba, Germany, Ghana, Italy, UK, USA and Venezuela.

The multi-nationality of the players is an important factor to Stefan Redtenbacher who views music as a unifying force during seemingly fragmented times and world events.

The album certainly follows in the footsteps of their previous records like ‘The Cooker’ (ft. Eric Krasno from Lettuce/Soulive, Lenny Pickett from TOP and the NPG Hornz, the long-standing Prince horn section lead by master trombonist Michael B Nelson [Cory Wong/Fearless Flyers]) and ‘The Time Thief’ which heavily featured saxophonists like Pee Wee Ellis from James Brown/Van Morrison, Rick Margitza (Miles Davis), Andy Snitzer (Rolling Stones/Paul Simon/Sting) and Charlie Hunter (Gil Evans/Michel Camilo) and yet again the Hornheads (AKA the NPG Hornz).

The concept of the ‘Big Funk Band’ was to feature different drummers and instrument combinations not heard before on a Funkestra record – like ‘Funkberater’ recorded with two drummers and ‘Go East’ recorded with double bass and electric bass.

The star guest drummers are German drum virtuoso Benny Greb, Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Wayne Kranz, Mike Stern), Francesco Mendolia (Incognito), Stanton Moore (Galactic) alongside long-standing Funkestra drummer Mike Sturgis (Bob James, Randy Brecker).

Other well known guests from the international Jazz and Funk circles are Cory Wong (Vulfpeck/Fearless Flyers), the NPG Hornz and Bruce Gertz (Jerry Bergonzi) and many of the finest Jazz Funk players that the vibrant London scene has on offer.

The Redtenbacher’s Funkestra have clocked up an impressive 2.5 million streams on Spotify and are proud to present their 12th fully blown album alongside their work as the studio house band for the ‘Masterlink Sessions’ which has led to numerous recordings with a range of artists across a broad range of styles (Grammy winner Mike Farris, Hamish Stuart – original member of the Average White Band now in the Ringo Starr All Stars, Jo Harman and a plethora of young and upcoming artists).