Illusions CD

Illusions is Menahan Street Band's fourth album and first in more than a decade, cut for Diamond West Records, the label Tommy Brenneck started and produces out of. Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai dropped string parts onto the single "Palace of Illusions," stacking something new on top of the band's usual drums, horns, and guitar. Since then, trumpeter Dave Guy has played with The Roots and the Tonight Show band, Leon Michels runs both El Michels Affair and Big Crown Records, and Nick Movshon has turned into one of soul and funk's most called-upon bassists.