Local instrumental recording duo Hot Mustard released a new single, “Jerkwater Strut,” on June 4. The song displays the signature funk-inspired style of producer/guitarist Jack Powell and bassist Nick Carusos, but with a twist — it features Grammy-nominated trumpeter Jordan McLean of Antibalas and TV on the Radio trombonist Dave “Smoota” Smith. Known as Big Brass Beats, the two guest stars hold down all of the horn duties on Hot Mustard’s upcoming album, Mother Sauce.
While the collaboration resulted in a hyper-captivating amalgam of sounds, it might never have come to pass had it not been for the COVID-19 shutdown.
“I’m not sure the collaboration with Jordan and Smoota would have happened without the pandemic,” Powell said. “The whole thing created a sense of urgency and motivation to put the music out there and forge relationships with musicians who could collaborate remotely. We are very fortunate to have linked up with that crew; they bring a lot of personality to the table.”
While most of the songs on Mother Sauce were in more finished state when Hot Mustard began collaborating with Smith and Mclean, “Jerkwater Strut” was still a work in progress.
“‘Jerkwater Strut’ was actually the least-complete track we sent off for brass treatment,” Carusos said. “The opening bass chord sequence and all of the soul/jazz/B-bender leads weren’t added until after we received the horn tracks. The brass really inspired all of that. It went from almost being cut to the lead single.”
The finished track melds a rhythmic hip-hop beat with a cinematic brass line and Motown-esque guitar licks. Paired with the single in perfect artistic harmony is an animated music video, which was created by Powell under the moniker Opus Thimble.
Mother Sauce will be released September 3. In the meantime, Powell and Carusos are brainstorming ways to bring Hot Mustard to the stage for a live show.
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