Menahan Street Band, an instrumental funk and soul ensemble from Brooklyn, captivates audiences with their eclectic blend of genres, drawing inspiration from classic soul, afrobeat, and hip-hop. Founded by guitarist Thomas Brenneck, the band is renowned for its rich, vintage sound and notable collaborations, particularly with soul icon Charles Bradley.
Menahan Street Band is an instrumental funk/soul ensemble hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2007 by guitarist and producer Thomas Brenneck, the band's inception took place in an apartment located on Menahan Street in the Bushwick neighborhood, contributing to their distinctive name.
The band consists of a remarkable lineup of musicians associated with other significant Brooklyn-based groups including:
Key members include Thomas Brenneck on guitar, along with Dave Guy (trumpet), Homer Steinweiss (drums), Nick Movshon (bass), Leon Michels (saxophone), and Mike Deller (organ/keys).
Menahan Street Band is adept at blending multiple musical genres, particularly instrumental funk, soul, and afrobeat. Their eclectic sound is inspired by:
Influences from iconic artists such as Curtis Mayfield, Mulatu Astatke, and Ennio Morricone, alongside the sounds of Neil Young, The Beatles, Wu-Tang Clan, and classic Motown/Stax recordings, can be discerned in their music. Their work is acclaimed for bridging jazz and soul genres through a combination of improvisation and structured grooves.
Menahan Street Band's discography boasts three studio albums, appreciated for their rich, vintage instrumental soul sound:
The band has also released various singles and EPs throughout the years.
Primarily recognized for backing soul singer Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band contributed to several of his albums:
Their instrumental work has been frequently sampled by prominent hip-hop artists. Notable samplings include:
This sampling success has notably supported the establishment of Dunham Sound Studios in Brooklyn by Brenneck and Steinweiss.
Despite primarily being a studio band, Menahan Street Band occasionally performs live, delivering polished and professional shows. They serve as the house band for Dunham Records, a Daptone Records sublabel dedicated to instrumental soul music.
Members of the band are also esteemed session musicians, having lent their talents to artists including:
After a hiatus nearing a decade, the band released their third studio album, The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band, in February 2021. In 2024, they collaborated with Brazilian singer Rogê on an EP titled Tropical Man.
Menahan Street Band continues to play a pivotal role in the renaissance of classic soul and funk in modern music. Their backing of Charles Bradley notably contributed to his recognition as a soul music icon later in his career. The band's music, extensively sampled within the hip-hop realm, is instrumental in shaping modern hip-hop production by tying in vintage soul sounds.
