Where are today’s groovy horn bands? Growing up listening to Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Tower of Power, I’ve noticed a gap in today’s music for a funky, hard-hitting horn section. Well, tonight the horns are back with a vengeance at Bell’s as they host two up-and-coming bands: Flexadecibel and Desmond Jones.

Flexadecibel hails from Muskegon, and it’s been a while since I last caught this hip-funk outfit. They’ve always been consummate showmen, with a razor-tight horn section, but in recent years they’ve raised the bar even higher. Tonight, they’re unleashing a powerhouse set to promote their newest release, Flex Appeal.

The band has refined a sound that rides the line between funky jazz and hard rock. Lead singer Marshall Todd not only has that classic rock voice but also brings a flashy visual vibe as he dances and sings without stopping, while William Juno holds down the keys right beside him. Bobby Rop commands center stage with his guitar, shredding at will and driving the rock punch. Ryan Carpenter on bass and Mike Schertenlieb on drums deliver a solid bottom end and infectious groove, giving the band its unmistakable funky feel. Brandon Proch (alto sax), Jacob Lubbers (trumpet), and Brad Hastings (trombone) add the color, funk, and flair that make this outfit truly unique.

Tonight’s set blends fan favorites with fresh cuts from their album, released just last week. They open with the new track “Spanko,” a funky, rollicking number punctuated by signature brass accents that set the tone for the evening. Next come “Thug Mrs.” and “Lithonia,” before they ease into the laid-back “8th Sunrise,” which features a cool groove and thoughtful lyrics. Two more selections from the new record—“Pathogram” and “Bridge 4”—showcase the band’s range: “Pathogram” is a dark ballad with weighty lyrics (feel the emotion in every word), while “Bridge 4” is a lighter, introspective song that builds gradually. They close with “Sirens Call,” a fitting finale and the perfect start to a night of music.

Desmond Jones takes the stage next, and it’s a tour de force: both bands have new releases out, and both know how to make feet move. Set two kicks off with “Major Burbank,” “Bunker,” and “Annie, Oh” in rapid succession. Isaac Berkowitz (guitar, vocals) and Chris Bota (guitar, keyboards, vocals) front the band with hard-hitting riffs and soaring harmonies. They follow with two new cuts—“Mt. Meesha” and “Step on Me”—powered by John Nowak (drums, guitar, vocals) and Taylor Watson (bass, vocals), before easing back into “Giant Eye.”

A suite of new tracks—“Quantify,” “Puree of Scorched Tomatoes,” “Dedicated (To This Feeling),” and a reprise of “Puree of Scorched Tomatoes”—spotlights multi-instrumentalist George Falk (saxophone, keyboards, vocals). While most would say the hardest-working member is the drummer, John Nowak remains cool and collected—perhaps because he has a front-row seat to watch George juggle instruments. With a tambourine in one hand, a sax around his neck, and fingers on the keys, George blurs the line between musician and whirlwind as he tackles bari- and tenor sax, keyboards, and a phalanx of percussion—all without missing a cue.

For a special treat, Desmond Jones covers Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat,” with Flexadecibel’s Marshall Todd on vocals, Brad Hastings on trombone, and Jacob Lubbers on trumpet. It’s great to have friends join in for the big numbers, and “Canned Heat” fills the hall with joyful, danceable sounds.

They wrap up their set with “Note from Dad” and “Poor Sylvester,” then close out the night with another round of “Giant Eye.” The band didn’t disappoint, and they were kind enough to share their upcoming tour dates:

5/3 Grand Rapids, MI • The Pyramid Scheme

5/15 Columbus, OH • Natalie’s Grandview

5/16 Hazleton, PA • Tap at Humboldt

5/17 Floyd, VA • Dogtown Roadhouse

5/18 Youngstown, OH • Westside Bowl

5/21 Buffalo, NY • Nietzsche’s

5/22 Rochester, NY • Abilene

5/23–24 Greenfield, MA • Strange Creek Campout

6/28 Trufant, MI • Smiling Acres Music Festival

Both bands’ new releases are available on Bandcamp and all major streaming services. Expect top-notch sound quality and crystal-clear reproduction—pick up some fresh tunes for your summer playlist, and catch these two funktastic acts wherever they play next. They never fail to entertain.