We Speak Music
Street Beat Brass Releases New Single “Out West” from Their Album Down The Block
NYC-based brass sensation Street Beat Brass unveils their new single “Out West,” the first taste of their album Down The Block, which was released on May 1, 2026 via Big Sky Press.
Inspired by a cross-country family road trip through the American Southwest, “Out West” captures the raw beauty and vastness of desert landscapes. Bandleader and composer Jeff Fairbanks drew from his 2023 journey through the Rocky Mountains and the red rock canyons of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico to shape the track’s vivid sonic identity.
“I wanted to depict the rough, rugged desert, open sky, and red rock,” says Fairbanks. “You can hear that in the textures—the sand shaker throughout, and even a tambourine in the intro mimicking a rattlesnake.”
The track not only paints a cinematic soundscape but also spotlights a special guest: Fairbanks’ son, Teo Fairbanks, whose dynamic drumming brings both energy and emotional depth to the recording.
“Out West” blends the band’s signature New Orleans brass foundation with Latin grooves and expansive arrangements, offering a fresh, immersive listening experience that reflects both movement and storytelling.
Street Beat Brass is widely recognized for its genre-defying approach, fusing jazz, gospel, soul, funk, Caribbean, Latin, and global influences into a uniquely American sound. Known for their fully mobile, acoustic setup, the band can perform seamlessly in motion—whether leading a parade or commanding a stage—creating what many describe as a “roving musical party.”
Formed in 2012, the group has built an impressive résumé, including opening for the New York Philharmonic, performing at major events like the Kentucky Derby, and appearing on national and international television broadcasts across ABC, NBC, Fox, and beyond. Their members—seasoned, conservatory-trained musicians—have collectively toured and performed with icons such as Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and Frankie Valli.
“Out West” offers a compelling preview of Down The Block, an all-original album that expands the band’s sound while staying rooted in the infectious energy and musical diversity that define Street Beat Brass.
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
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