Play That Saxy Music

It can be hard to quickly summarise taste in music, especially in an era where genres have exploded. Sure, my most recent Spotify wrapped has a reasonable summary of Alternative Rock, Indie Rock and Swing Music (which actually gives that good summary I was saying is hard to achieve). But the one before, has "Steampunk Funky Groove Electro swing" and "Goblinecore Alt Z Dark Pop". What the hell are those?

So lets keep it simple. I like rock music, typically 'alternative' or 'indie' but some classic stuff as well. And I like swing music - but usually a modern take on it like Electro-Swing.

What I felt like writing about today, was a few of my favourite bands that are more in that swing category but that focus purely on the instrumental. And most often, on the saxophone.

I think it's amazing how much the saxophone alone can carry a song. There may be a double meaning to Fleur East's Sax but I love that song for its literal meaning. Well, and for its sound. It's such a good upbeat fun song, but lets take the message as well and get some sax involved!

I've got a playlist just for "Pure Saxy" instrumentals. I actually have several playlists in my "Jazzy" folder and have put the thumbnails I drew for them into this blog. That was a nice mini-project, just to make sure that all the thumbnail art was something I created rather than the automatic ones or nabbed from somewhere else.

In terms of the bands that make my list, there's a whole mix but I do have my favourites. With perhaps the most appropriate name, 2Saxy are a funky, saxophone duo who's Dark Paradise and Bari Baddie stand out as top picks - but I love several of their pieces.

Too Many Zoos is a more intense, aggressive experience. A trio this time, they bring a wild energy to their songs. Tricerahops and Brasshouse Vol 7 No 68 never fail to get me hyped. Those are both from their Subway Gawdz album, which brings the intensity, but they do have a few songs with a lighter style as well. If you want something slightly less booming, check out Stand by Your Cats.

Moon Hooch are another duo and I love their album Moon Hooch in particular. It can be harder to pick out from their songs unless you listen to them all through, as many of them are simply numbered rather than named. But two that stand out for me are Number 9 and Number 10. Number 9 especially has an incredible hook, if hook still makes sense in an instrumental. Although maybe I should give more of their discography a listen, because I've just played Low 4 and love the thumbing beat to that piece.

And then we blur those together with Thundersmack, which is a collaboration by Leo P from Too Many Zoos and Michael W from Moon Hooch. So far, it's mainly Bad Molly that has stood out to me, with a slightly softer melody, but I am excited to see what else they create as well.

So there's some of the bands I love! Great instrumentals and great music for when you need to focus on something else like work or writing, because you get the motivational intensity without lyrics to distract you. Check some of them out!

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