Dear listeners and readers of Soundville, jump into my TARDIS! Today we head to 1974, a moment shaped by a different version of ourselves and a landscape of parking lots, shopping malls, cassette players, and that signature sparkling funk. Pull the time-travel lever with me. One, two, three! Forward!

1974. Morning.
Breakfast finished – eggs with bacon, orange juice, family talk that slipped past my attention. All my thoughts stayed with my bike and the meeting with my friends. We spent a full week preparing for our first session of the new tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons, a release that arrived only recently yet gained momentum instantly.

Bursting out of the house, I pushed the pedals with a drive I had never reached before. Houses streamed past, familiar figures slid by, yet my focus stayed elsewhere. And there it was – the room where stories take shape. My anticipation for the first Dungeons & Dragons session filled every thought, when suddenly my friend, always absorbed in her player, handed me a cassette by Brassroots District with their new track ‘Aim High’, released via For The People Records.

And everything changed.
Bright funk erupted in my headphones, with a subtle hint of disco-pop, instantly illuminating the space around me and pulling me entirely into its world. I felt a surge of energy and the touch of Brassroots District’s soul on my own. My friend told me that Brassroots District formed in early 1972 and had already opened the parking-lot tailgate for Sly & the Family Stone, and later appeared on the front page of LA Weekly in what was dubbed “the Funky Flameout” after Copper Jones, one of the vocalists, triggered an explosive confrontation between Epic Records and manager Nancy Parker. And this was only the beginning.

Oh, I couldn’t resist and rewound the tape to hear ‘Aim High’ again. Even thoughts of D&D faded before its brightness, style, and energy, the flawless saxophone, and the cascading instruments, all driven by the electrifying vocals of Copper Jones and Ursa Major. I loved how ‘Aim High’ created a danceable, cinematic atmosphere, adding shimmering new colors to my day.

Of course, I took the cassette home to replay ‘Aim High’ over and over. From that day on, I became a true fan of the band. The driving horns, unique vocals, and elusive groove made Brassroots District one of my favorite groups. Later, I learned that Brassroots District, an integral part of the Los Angeles underground scene, consists of nine members. The lineup is a multiracial, multigender ensemble, and every beat and word carries a message. Troubles will pass, keep moving forward, and the best way to do it is on the dance floor to ‘Aim High’! Flawless!

Hey Brassroots District! Thank you for making such incredible music. I truly disconnected from all worries and simply enjoyed the amazing concept of “a band existing in 1974” and, of course, the flawless funk. Your music is unlike anything I’ve heard before. It’s a new world created by you, incredible musicians. I will definitely track down your cassettes so your music can always play in my headphones and set the perfect mood, even for D&D sessions! I love it and want more. I’m your fan!

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