Barabass & The Happy Few - Tumba Rumba (Happy Few Records)

Barabass & The Happy Few was a musical collective from Bergen, Norway. Now defunct, the band consisted of a standard DJ-keyboard-drums-bass-guitar line-up, but they could easily be fronted by a bluegrass-guitarist one moment and a jazz trumpet player the next. Barabass & The Happy Few’s aim was to make instrumental music where humor goes along with improvisation, while keeping things funky and focused on the dance floor, especially in their wild live shows.

Happy Few Records has been reissuing the rare, original EPs, with Arizona and Madagascar delighting fans new and old over the last few months. Now Beatservice has released the third and final of the original EPs, Tumba Rumba. Originally released on vinyl in 2002, Tumba Rumba continues the eclectic approach and adds funkier elements. The title track showcases this with its wildly mesmerizing electric bass, cut-up beats, and stereo-swirling synth lines. “Fonk” is a mid-tempo excursion led by a pulsing synth bass and a theremin-like melody. “Luca Rossi,” which also appears on the band’s 2004 album Rali Rei, is another funk stomper, already receiving tons of play on streaming platforms. The EP closes with the breakbeat frenzy of “Dødt Nebb,” complete with cool vinyl scratching, spacey melodies, and another fantastic bass line.

Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Really strong release with plenty of funk.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Another lovely and bizarre offering. Very inventive and thoroughly enjoyable.”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings) – “All killer! I love ‘Dodt Nebb’.“
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Jazzin’ vibes 4 the floor.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio FM 90.3) – “I’m loving this superb downtempo funk!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “An inspired EP.”
Patrick Balzat (BXFM / Vibration) – “Very funky, how I love it. Perfect weapon for my radio show.”
Ulf Engelmayer (StadtRadio Göttingen) – “Funk the Fjord!”
Holger Menzel (The Funky Photographer Radio Show) – “Luca Rossi is a fantastic tune. I think it will be a massive dancefloor stomper!”
Crate Invader (Point Blank FM, London) – “All are great tracks, Tumba Rumba just edges it. Still sounding relevant which is a testament to the original production.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, And Google Play.

Barabass & The Happy Few - Madagascar (Happy Few Records)

Barabass & The Happy Few was a musical collective from Bergen, Norway. Now defunct, the band consisted of a standard DJ-keyboard-drums-bass-guitar line-up, but they could easily be fronted by a bluegrass-guitarist one moment and a jazz trumpet player the next. Barabass & The Happy Few’s aim was to make instrumental music where humor goes along with improvisation, while keeping things funky and focused on the dance floor, especially in their wild live shows.

The Madagascar EP was originally released on very limited vinyl in 2003 and has been unearthed and unleashed digitally for the ears of 2018. The tunes combine laid back instrumentation with cool breakbeat rhythms and heaps of melody. The title cut is a smooth downtempo jam featuring a righteous breakbeat, flute blurts, a snazzy percussion breakdown, and an unexpected detour into reggae territory. “Mumbai” opens with a beguiling vocal that leads to a laid back boom-bap beat and a menagerie of smooth instrumentation. Things get more upbeat and exotic with “Yalla,” as what might be a didgeridoo and hypnotic female vocal groove over bed of electronic funk. The worldly flavor continues with “Mantra,” evoking a morning after at the ashram rave, as curious sounds flutter in and out of earshot. This EP presents a diverse stack, ready to send any DJ set on a peculiar journey.

Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Sweet Indian flavors with standout tracks Mumbai and Mantra bringing the trippy Bristol vibe of the 90s together with the sounds of a Bollywood love story.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “I really like Madagascar and Mumbai … funky and very groovy.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A beautiful, eclectic blend of musical goodies … filled with the sound of the world!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Beatiful release, especially Mumbai!”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Dubby downbeats with a hypnotic vibe.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Smooth, dubby ethno vibes … just right for my summery early morning sets.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke / XLNT radio show) – “A thoroughly engaging selection. Very enjoyable.”
Roger Cowell (The Joint Sessions Berlin) – “I remember these guys from back in 90’s. They were great live. These tracks are great, and their album is awesome.”
Aroto (Aroto Hip Hop Radio) – “An interesting blend of sounds with good production.”
MisterG (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “Funky, funny and far out. Try this on for size and you will come away with a smiling groove.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Barabass & The Happy Few - Arizona (Happy Few Records)

Barabass & The Happy Few was a musical collective from Bergen, Norway. Now defunct, the band consisted of a standard DJ-keyboard-drums-bass-guitar line-up, but they could easily be fronted by a bluegrass-guitarist one moment and a jazz trumpet player the next. Barabass & The Happy Few’s aim was to make instrumental music where humor goes along with improvisation, while keeping things funky and focused on the dance floor, especially in their wild live shows.

The Arizona EP was originally released on very limited vinyl in 2002 and has been unearthed and unleashed digitally for the ears of 2018. The tunes combine laid back instrumentation with cool breakbeat rhythms and heaps of melody. The title track is jazzy and smooth, featuring falsetto vocal phrases and a spell of human beatboxing. “Hobbies” is more upbeat, containing sweet keys, cool drum programming, and stoner dialogue snippets. “Whole Lotta Beats” is a cheeky affair, made to instantly enliven the limpest of parties. And “Get U Gone” meshes big retro beats with fun synthesizer and organ riffs, imagining a lysergic roller rink escapade.

Murray Richardson (Electrica Salsa) – “Nice EP, perfect for my upcoming tour.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Anyone who loves the likes of Mr. Scruff will really dig this release - Highly recommended!”
DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos) – “Norway’s gone Funky!”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Get U Gone rocks.”
ALTZ (Altzmusica) – “I love the groove on Hobbies.”
DJ Wash (Funk The System) – “Great release, all of these tracks are tight!”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “Refreshing and Groovy.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio 90.3) – “These tracks show some serious creativity. Full support.”
Jeannie Hopper (WBAI FM, NYC) – “Funky bad ass vibes.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Well, this has certainly stood the test of time. Sounding unmistakably old school, but still current.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Spotify, And Apple Music.