Arthur Verocai features on new Menahan Street Band album, Illusions

Illusions will be the band's first album in over a decade, and sees them reuniting at guitarist Tommy Brenneck's label home of Diamond West Records. Brenneck also produced the album, and chose to expand on their sound of drums, horns and guitar by inviting Verocai to contribute strings for "Palace of Illusions".

"The combination of Verocai's arrangements with Menahan Street Band horn melodies was a total dream for me," Brenneck says. "I think it took the music to another level of sophistication that we've never had before."

The band's members have been busy in the years since their last album. Dave Guy plays trumpet with The Roots and in the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Homer Steinweiss has released a solo record, Nick Movshon remains one of the most in-demand bassists around, and Leon Michels continues as El Michels Affair while running Big Crown Records.

"This time the energy was incredible," Brenneck reflects. "These songs were written and recorded very fast, without any time for second guessing, and something about it brought out the best in the band."

"Instrumental music can really let the mind wander because there are no lyrics to tell the story," he continues. "Homer kept saying while making this record that the energy felt like the first time. Like we tapped into the excitement of playing together and the chemistry we all had."

Illusions artwork

Illusions tracklist

"Palace of Illusions"
"Aurora Was Her Name"
"Gentleman's Getaway"
"El-Onta's Dance"
"Sound of Distant Thunder"
"The Emerald Courtyard"
"Crystal Crown"
"Another Magic Morning"
"There Before the Sun"
"City After City"