Here at Bluesbunny we have often said that we're fond of a good horn section. So you can imagine our delight when we discovered Japanese band Pistol Valve. A ten piece band comprising entirely of hot babes … err sorry gifted musicians, and featuring an eight strong horn section. They can play a bit as well. Actually, they can play a lot. Now we know what it feels like to be in seventh heaven and on cloud nine at the same time!
They mix vocal performances (in English and Japanese) with the occasional instrumental and prove themselves to be equally proficient at both. They also show a commendable degree of versatility. Ranging from the opening instrumental "Western Girls", a song that fuses ska beats to a big band sound; to the soulful funk of "Tube Time", and the rap influenced "Pull The TRIGGER!", where they prove what we've always suspected, rap does actually improve with the addition of horn section.
Two tracks however standout over all others. The driving rock sound of "Fo-Fo", with its thudding bass line and drum beat that provide the solidest of backbones for the horns to do their stuff over the top of. And the best cover version of "My Generation" we've ever heard, honestly you haven't fully experienced this classic song until you've heard it delivered by a full blown horn section - truly astounding.
This is the best music to come out of Japan since the glory days of the Sadistic Mika Band, Yellow Magic Orchestra and Ryuichi Sakamoto. And like those illustrious artists, the music of Pistol Valve deserves to be heard beyond its home shores. So, whether you think of them as a small brass band or a large horn section, we recommended you give this talented group the attention they richly deserve. Available from CD Baby.