Music / Premieres
Track by Track:
The CB3 - Bunny Hop
The CB3 - Bunny Hop
Alongside the release of their brand new EP Bunny Hop, we got in touch with local groove-masters The CB3 to dig into their latest collection of evocative and addictive instrumental R&B.
No strangers to the Melbourne live scene, Christian Barbieri and the members of his group The CB3 have spent the past decade sharing stages and playing alongside many of Australia’s best names in neo-soul and jazz-funk circles. And while between them, the three (Barbieri, plus bassist Caleb Shand and drummer Chris Farace) have a long list of individual accolades, it’s when they come together as a band that their musicianship really shines. Across Bunny Hop, The CB3’s first long-form release in nearly five years, the trio are in fine form, showcasing their undeniable chemistry that simultaneously taps into listeners emotions while making them want to move.
From the get-go, we’re dunked into the band’s world of relentless grooves, as the title track immediately takes a joyride through a kaleidoscope of bouncing beats, ear-worming guitar leads and crusty, vintage production. If getting the party started is what The CB3 do best, moments later they one up themselves with the unstoppable ‘October’, a bass-heavy stomper that struts, squelches and swaggers in all the right places for a glorious five minutes.
However, Bunny Hop truly shines in the band’s ability to play with atmosphere. The EP is broken up by two interludes of sort that give the listen an immersive ebb and flow, and even when the band are moving at full tilt, they leave the perfect amount of space for each track’s intangible emotion to shine through; like on the whimsical outro of ‘Teacups & Candy’ or as ’40/40 Home’ unravels giddily like a long walk home at the end of a night out.
It’s an impressive return, and one that makes us all the more enticed to get down to a CB3 live show. To delve into the new EP a little further, Christian kindly walked us through each moment that makes up Bunny Hop.
From the get-go, we’re dunked into the band’s world of relentless grooves, as the title track immediately takes a joyride through a kaleidoscope of bouncing beats, ear-worming guitar leads and crusty, vintage production. If getting the party started is what The CB3 do best, moments later they one up themselves with the unstoppable ‘October’, a bass-heavy stomper that struts, squelches and swaggers in all the right places for a glorious five minutes.
However, Bunny Hop truly shines in the band’s ability to play with atmosphere. The EP is broken up by two interludes of sort that give the listen an immersive ebb and flow, and even when the band are moving at full tilt, they leave the perfect amount of space for each track’s intangible emotion to shine through; like on the whimsical outro of ‘Teacups & Candy’ or as ’40/40 Home’ unravels giddily like a long walk home at the end of a night out.
It’s an impressive return, and one that makes us all the more enticed to get down to a CB3 live show. To delve into the new EP a little further, Christian kindly walked us through each moment that makes up Bunny Hop.
Bunny Hop
A lot of people dis 80’s era Miles Davis. I love him. So much so, that I wrote this track as a tip of the hat to ‘U’N’I’, one of my favourite songs of his from that period. ‘Bunny Hop’ has a quirky melody with a bouncy groove, both of which I’m a sucker for. It moves to a catchy “chorus” section and sneakily transitions into a funky guitar solo, because why not?
A lot of people dis 80’s era Miles Davis. I love him. So much so, that I wrote this track as a tip of the hat to ‘U’N’I’, one of my favourite songs of his from that period. ‘Bunny Hop’ has a quirky melody with a bouncy groove, both of which I’m a sucker for. It moves to a catchy “chorus” section and sneakily transitions into a funky guitar solo, because why not?
Mother Duck Says
A duck and her ducklings momentarily delay your journey from ‘Bunny Hop’ to ‘October’; please give way as they cross the road.
October
Remember that Earth, Wind & Fire track? “Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September” Who hasn’t boogied to that? (rhetorical). Well this is October, a straight up funk track that’s bound to get your feet moving. Check the video clip for some non-professional, unhinged dancing fun. Oh and did I mention the multi-layered guitar textures and “mad dolphin” guitar solo? Listen and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
A duck and her ducklings momentarily delay your journey from ‘Bunny Hop’ to ‘October’; please give way as they cross the road.
October
Remember that Earth, Wind & Fire track? “Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September” Who hasn’t boogied to that? (rhetorical). Well this is October, a straight up funk track that’s bound to get your feet moving. Check the video clip for some non-professional, unhinged dancing fun. Oh and did I mention the multi-layered guitar textures and “mad dolphin” guitar solo? Listen and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Teacups & Candy
I wrote this when playing around with the melody from ‘Pure Imagination’ from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. I’ve always loved that tune, it’s dreamy and haunting at the same time. I flipped the melody and gave it some of that bouncing groove that’s on ‘Bunny Hop’. The song features contemporary violinist XANI, whose musicianship knows no bounds. She gives us some dreamy and haunting string layers before launching into a fiery solo and leading into the jilted, psychedelic outro.
I wrote this when playing around with the melody from ‘Pure Imagination’ from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. I’ve always loved that tune, it’s dreamy and haunting at the same time. I flipped the melody and gave it some of that bouncing groove that’s on ‘Bunny Hop’. The song features contemporary violinist XANI, whose musicianship knows no bounds. She gives us some dreamy and haunting string layers before launching into a fiery solo and leading into the jilted, psychedelic outro.
Still Lost, Still Looking
As a guitarist, I’m always searching for new ways of evoking emotion, whether via a new set of chords, new sounds (or combinations of sounds) or both. The first documentation of these explorations is a tune called ‘Lost & Looking’ off our first EP. ‘Still Lost, Still Looking’ is the culmination of the most recent discoveries. What does it make you feel?
40/40 Home
The soundtrack to a short film that only exists in my brain. It’s set in a utopian, tropical paradise where sunrays melt into a psychedelic orange and purple sky, like something from a Dali piece. It feels free, safe and playful. You take a wrong turn into a heaving, overwhelming city. Skyscrapers tower above, peering down at you. Overcrowded, people bumping into you, staring you down, you feel paranoid, scared, and anxious. Finally, a return to your safe haven. Relax. Exhale. Everything's ok.
As a guitarist, I’m always searching for new ways of evoking emotion, whether via a new set of chords, new sounds (or combinations of sounds) or both. The first documentation of these explorations is a tune called ‘Lost & Looking’ off our first EP. ‘Still Lost, Still Looking’ is the culmination of the most recent discoveries. What does it make you feel?
40/40 Home
The soundtrack to a short film that only exists in my brain. It’s set in a utopian, tropical paradise where sunrays melt into a psychedelic orange and purple sky, like something from a Dali piece. It feels free, safe and playful. You take a wrong turn into a heaving, overwhelming city. Skyscrapers tower above, peering down at you. Overcrowded, people bumping into you, staring you down, you feel paranoid, scared, and anxious. Finally, a return to your safe haven. Relax. Exhale. Everything's ok.
Bunny Hop is out everywhere today - head to thecb3.bandcamp.com to grab a copy on limited vinyl. The CB3 will be launching the new EP next Friday March 4th at The Nightcat alongside Billy Davis - grab a ticket here.
