Detroit’s The Sun Messengers, are the official house band of the Detroit Pistons, and will be getting the crowd fired up tonight for their first playoff game of 2007 against the Orlando Magic. What a gig-they get to do-it-up in front of 20,000+ cheering fans 41 times a year, and get court-side seats to see the best team in the world (that’s right-I am a huuuuge Pistons fan).

But what did they do before they scored this dream job at the Palace of Auburn Hills?  Well, they happen to be a damn fine band, on the Detroit jazz scene since the early 80s.

The LP pictured above is The Sun Messenger’s first, put out in 1984 on Sun Sounds records.  It shows off a variety of styles, but this is not put-you-to-sleep jazz, it’s booty-shaking jazz.  Especially Side One, with the Soweto inspired track Unidentified Exotic Dancer and the funk-break track Tubob Rock.  Side B begins with a great ska-jazz protest tune called No War, ala Rico with heavy trombone riffs.  It ends with Damn Slam, which sounds like a modern Louis Jordan big-band dance song.  Both songs on Side B feature old-time Detroiter Russell Green, whos trumpet wailing reminds me of New Orleans’s Kermit Ruffins.

We had another copy of this LP in our store, but it just sold recently.  Check The Sun Messenger’s website for info on how to buy their latest releases and check ‘em out the next time you’re at The Palace!

: Tobob Rock

: No War

(I apologize for the bad sound quality of these samples.  I’m working on it)