Common Decency by Hackney Colliery Band (CD, 2013)

Vinyl Castle

If you're looking for a band that's as cheeky as they are talented, look no further than Hackney Colliery Band. "Common Decency" is their latest offering, and it's a celebration of all things brass with a healthy dose of attitude. From the get-go, this album hits you like a double-decker bus speeding through the streets of London. The opening track "Reawake" is a full-throttle blast of horns and drums that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It's loud, brash, and unapologetically in your face - just like a good old-fashioned pub brawl. But don't be fooled by the bravado, there's some serious musicianship on display here. Tracks like "Crushed On You" and "Heart of Gold" showcase the band's ability to blend genres with ease, fusing jazz, funk, and hip-hop into a sonic stew that's as satisfying as a full English breakfast. Of course, it wouldn't be a Hackney Colliery Band album without a healthy dose of wit and humour. The cheeky lyrics on tracks like "Brass Ages" and "Tally Ho!" are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, even as your hips start involuntarily shaking to the infectious grooves. In conclusion, "Common Decency" is a raucous, riotous romp through the streets of Hackney - a love letter to the band's East London roots. So grab a pint, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to party like it's 1999 (or 2019, for that matter). Cheers!