For True

iTunes Review

Trombone Shorty (a.k.a. Troy Andrews) and his smoking band, Orleans Avenue, tear through a gumbo of New Orleans funk, jazz, rock, R&B, and hip-hop on his second major-label release. Picking up where his 2010 smash Backatown left off, For True comes out swinging and never lets up. A child prodigy born into a well-known musical family from New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood, Andrews is a rare talent. Trombone is his main instrument, but he’s also highly skilled on trumpet, organ, and drums, all of which he plays here (for proof, check out his one-man-band effort on the sizzling “UNC”). He also provides soulful vocals on several tracks. There are cameos from big-time guests, including the Rebirth Brass Band (“Buckjump”), Warren Haynes (“Encore”), Jeff Beck (“Do to Me”), Kid Rock (“Mrs. Orleans”), and Cyril and Ivan Neville (“Nervis”), and they all add their piece without overshadowing the bandleader. In fact, the best cuts—“The Craziest Thing,” “Dumaine St.,” both parts of “Lagniappe,” and the title track—feature Andrews and Orleans Avenue alone. Energetic and funky, For True will get your party started.