Get Busy With BNB
by Dr. Owl
As BNB (Baby's Nickel Bag) approaches its first birthday, this unique Burlington-based band continues to draw dance-crazy party-goers in the mood for love. BNB plays heavy hitting dance music ranging from house influence beats to traditional Trinidadian rhythms with everything from soul to disco and whatever's in between. BNB achieves this mix through the diversity of its members and their varying backgrounds.
I spoke with Skylark about the band's name. " How did you come up with the name Baby's Nickel Bag? ", I asked. " Well, when the band was first forming, there were only five of us. Inspired by Digable Planets' lyrics, ' we're just babies, man' and 'a nickel bag of funk.,' I came up with the idea that we- the band- were just babies and they were five of us, therefore, a nickel bag. Then the band grew to six, so I figured the lead singer was the baby and we were her nickel bag, the five of us plus her, the baby. Then the band grew to seven and sometimes as many as ten when including guests, so now I don't know what the hell the name means. I prefer to go by the initials BNB, as in 'to be is to be' or 'live and let live' kind of thing. Sometimes people get the name confused with a drug message, but that's not what it's about at all. As a matter of fact, our slogan is, "BNB is a natural high."
Over the past year, BNB has played to enthusiastic audiences in New York and throughout the state of vermont. People say they enjoy the music because of its uplifting and optimistic quality. With songs like stability, rise above, I feel fine, say it like I like it, make a change, Just The Two Of Us, and sex jazz, it's hard not to walk away not feeling good. The members of BNB co-write songs which create the diversity as well as the unity of the music. On a weeknight the band can be found juggling melody lines, rhythms and lyrics, forming abstract ideas into solid songs. This creative process is possible because of the respect for each other the band members hold.
BNB is backed by a solid rhythm section. Veteran dance music drummer Phil Carr specializes in reggae, latin, and seventies funk drumming. Phil, who is notorious in the Burlington scene, can always be counted on to lay down a solid, booming beat with the grace and agility of a hummingbird and the smile of a man doing what he loves most. Papa Twa T, Trinidadian percussionist, runs intricate irresistible Conga lines alongside Phil's steady beats. Twa brings the same fever in which he plays percussion to the microphone in dancehall style lyrics he charms all the ladies with. Jay Asbury, the thundering bass of BNB, gets his deep grooves from a six-string bass with a low B. Looping lines like a rubber band and singing in a Bee Gees' falsetto, Jay I guaranteed to wind your waste to the sound of the bass. Stephanie Menner, equipped with a Fender Rhodes 88 and a funky clarinet, bubbles keyboard lines and lays thick beds of vintage '70s sounds. Chris Bell brings sweet melody lines to the Forefront with his Gibson hollow body jazz guitar, taking Inspirations from Ronny Jordan. Levin Pfeufer, AKA Papa Skylark, adds bird song flute lines over the top of the heavy BNB groove. Clad in 70's pimp and player fashion and carrying an assortment of percussion instruments, whistles and chimes alongside his flute and dancehall style lyrics, he keeps the crowds smiling. The final component of the BNB sound is Robin Washington, Detroit born Motown vocalist extraordinaire. With a sweet, yet tough vocal style, she is able to deliver the messages of romance and consciousness that BNB is all about.
BNB has a six-song tape, entitled Uncork the Disco Soul, which sounds from disco to funk, house to acid jazz, soul to Caribbean. They are currently working on a new release for The Good Citizen Soundtrack to the Zine Volume Two. BNB is seriously committed to bringing their unique sound to Burlington and beyond. BNB is a good time every time-- look for them in the months to come.
Dr. Owl is a freelance writer in NYC and is a respected critic on the acid jazz scene.