The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown: “Repurpose Purpose Vol. 1” (2024) Vinyl Review

For folks like me who love jams, who love improvised music, who love it when musicians take off from whatever script might have existed in order to further explore a rhythm or a riff or an idea, who go to concerts in large part for those moments of magic, The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown is here to delight us with some delicious grooves. The idea for this band was to capture those great live moments in the studio, with accomplished musicians from various backgrounds. The band’s first album, aptly titled Volume 1, was released in 2012 (although some websites list the year as 2011 or 2015). By the way, that album kicks off with a song titled “The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown,” putting this band in that group of artists who have a song sharing the band’s name, along with folks like Bad Company, Black Sabbath, I See Hawks In L.A., They Might Be Giants and Trees Speak. Volume 2 was released several years later, and there have also been a couple of singles and EPs.

The band’s new release is an EP titled Repurpose Purpose Vol. 1, written as RepurposE Purpose Vol. 1, so that EP is in the title. But there are approximately thirty-one minutes of music on this record, and that, my friends, is enough to make it an LP. One thing that’s interesting about the music on this record is that each track features the same drum work, each track building on it in a different way, with different musicians. The drummer, by the way, is Jack Irons. Yes, of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and The Wallflowers, the same guy who released Dreamer’s Ball/Walnut last year. So his work is on every track. As for the rest of the folks, an incredible group of musicians has been gathered for this project, people like Leo Nocentelli, Bobby Easton, Matt Slocum, Eric McFadden and Larry LaLonde, among others. And for those who find the names familiar, but can’t quite place them, the liner notes are kind enough to include little reminders for us. The record itself is a clear sky blue vinyl with purple splatter, and it looks great.

Side A

The album opens with “All Together Now,” a glorious funk jam complete with a horn section, just the sort of thing to loosen you up, get you grooving, get you smiling. I’m especially digging that bass line by John Heintz. And check out that lead on guitar. Leo Nocentelli (of the Meters) plays guitar on this track. The horn section, by the way, is made up of Greg Hollowell on saxophone, Derrick Johnson on trombone, and Alex Bradley on trumpet. This track also features some cool stuff on keys. Frank Mapstone is on electric piano, and Rami Jaffee is on organ and clavinet. I like those smooth, slightly more laid-back moments placed at key points in the track, like the sun’s rays are warming us, and telling us, “Things are good.” This is the first track recorded for this album, so the drumming on this record originated with this instrumental track. If you needed another reason to love this track, Leon Mobley (of Innocent Criminals) contributes additional percussion work here.

RonKat Spearman (of P-Funk) joins the group on vocals for “Body Magic,” a fun number that has elements of funk and disco. So yes, something you want to dance to. “Baby, you got that stuff I like/You got that stuff I need.” Play this track, and your home will suddenly become the coolest dance club. The horn work here is done by Nic Chaffee. Bobby Easton (of Delta Nove) is on guitar, and Cody Wright is on bass. Matt Slocum (of Railroad Earth) is on keys, delivering some delicious work. “Give it to me, give it to me.” Well, these guys are giving it to us, no question, whatever it is we need. Then “420 Ocean Drive” comes on all heavy and strong, a powerful force, a steamroller of funk ready to smooth out any prickly cretins who dare stand in its path. And we can all ride atop this machine, so hop on board. Eric McFadden is on guitar, and the guitar is an important part of this track’s power. Philip Lassiter (who has worked with Prince, Ariana Grande and many other artists) is responsible for the horns on this one. Listen to the way those horns cut through to the heart of things, horns that will stand for no nonsense. This one builds into a tremendous beast, with a great energy. Chris Sherman (Freekbass) is on bass, and Jamar Woods is on keys. Again, this record features an outstanding group of musicians.

Side B

The second side opens with “Spirit Stain,” with Angelo Moore (of Fishbone) on vocals, and he gives us a seriously cool and commanding performance. The vocals are also part of the rhythm, the way the lyrics are delivered. “Remove yourself and take a step in the other direction.” Put this record on and have the best party, even if you’re alone. You’ll be dancing with such abandon that you might not even realize that no one else is there. Just give yourself over to that heavy, great bass line. That’s Roberto “Ra” Diaz (of Suicidal Tendencies and Korn) on bass. Justin Poree (of Ozomatli) joins on percussion, and this fantastic track also features the work of Jimi Hazel on guitar, and Peter “Keys” Pisarczyk on keys. The music takes us in another direction on “Ten Hits.” Larry LaLonde (of Primus) plays guitar on this one, and there is certainly something of a Primus vibe here, just one of the many tasty elements that make this track so enjoyable. This is a jam that seems to come from some intergalactic junk yard, with species from several planets playing whatever it is they find there, and getting the corpses of old massive mechanical marvels to rise up and dance. Oh yes, there’s life in it yet! John Norwood Fisher (founding member of Fishbone) plays bass, Mike Dillon (who has played with Les Claypool and Karl Denson, among others) is on vibraphone and tabla, and Bobby Easton (of Delta Nove) adds some work on percussion.

Then we get an instrumental rendition of “Body Magic.” So in this version we focus more on the horns, let them drive us forward, onward, upward. We climb Mount Funk, stopping at the different dance stations set up along the way. And the top? Well, that’s some kind of dance paradise. We’ll get there. This music has the power to lift us, at least a good deal of the way. I’m loving that work on keys. The album wraps up with an instrumental rendition of “Spirit Stain,” and now the beat commands us, takes control of our bodies, gets us moving. There might be moments when the music tosses us against walls, but don’t worry, for we bounce right back, not missing a downbeat. This track is capable of rocking us straight into next week.

Record Track List

Side A

1. All Together Now
2. Body Magic
3. 420 Ocean Drive

Side B

1. Spirit Stain
2. Ten Hits
3. Body Magic (Instrumental)
4. Spirit Stain (Instrumental)

Repurpose Purpose Vol. 1 was released digitally on September 6, 2024, and on vinyl on December 11, 2024. Now I’m wondering if Vol. 2 will continue with this drum work, or if it will feature a different beat. Either way, I’m looking forward to it.