B-Side Guys

Who would have thought a theremin could funk? On “Hall of Giants,” Hot Mustard’s latest instrumental excursion, Via Mardot’s ethereal waves don’t just coexist with boom-bap rhythms – they dance with them. This unlikely pairing sets the tone for a track that treats genre conventions like a suggestion rather than a rulebook.

The production reveals layers of careful consideration beneath its loose-limbed groove. AJ Hall’s drums (of John Cleary and the Monster Gentlemen fame) provide more than just backbone – they create conversation with the Marxophone’s struck-string decay. Each tubular bell hit arrives like punctuation in this instrumental dialogue, while Jordan McLean’s horn arrangements add chapters of storytelling without needing a single word.

What’s particularly striking is how the track balances its vintage soul foundation with forward-thinking sound design. Ross Bogan’s organ work might nod to classic funk, but the way it interweaves with Powell and Carusos’ guitar and synth elements creates something distinctly contemporary. The result feels both familiar and unexplored, like discovering a new room in a house you’ve lived in for years.

Dave “Smoota” Smith’s Brooklyn recording of the horn section deserves special mention. The production positions these brass voices perfectly in the mix, allowing them to punch through when needed while never overwhelming the more delicate elements like Mardot’s theremin textures. Even Wes Powers’ drums, recorded while he was teaching Powell’s kids, fit seamlessly into this carefully constructed sonic landscape.

As the opening statement for their upcoming album “Monster Season,” “Hall of Giants” suggests Hot Mustard has found that rare sweet spot where experimentation serves groove rather than obscuring it. They’ve created something that works both as sophisticated headphone listening and straight-up body moving music – no small feat for a track that prominently features an instrument known more for sci-fi soundtracks than funk.