Arkive

Released today (24 Sept) is the Brassy live session, the ninth session taken from BBC Radio Sessions Volume 2, curated and released by Beggars Arkive. Spanning decades from 1978 to 2000, each session has been remastered at Abbey Road and pressed to its own 12” clear vinyl record. These sessions capture the raw energy and unique spirit of BBC Radio's Peel Sessions, featuring exclusive recordings from bands on Beggars Banquet, Wiiija & Too Pure.

Formed in Manchester in the mid 1990s, Brassy brought together Muffin Spencer, Stefan Gordon, Karen Frost and Jonny Barrington to create a sound that mixed funk, punk and hip hop into something wholly their own. Their records were released on Wiiija, the Beggars Banquet imprint known for supporting bold, innovative acts. Wiija provided the platform for Brassy’s debut album Got It Made and its follow-up Gettin Wise, both of which showcased the group’s distinctive groove-driven approach. The 2001 BBC session stands as a striking example of Brassy’s originality and the important role the Beggars family of labels played in amplifying their uncompromising voice.

In June 2001, Brassy recorded a BBC session that captured the band’s vibrant collision of hip hop rhythms and alternative rock energy. The set included “Parkside,” “Bcos We Rock,” “I Gotta Beef / Who Stole the Show,” “All New” and “Extra Juice,” each performance bristling with sharp beats, taut guitars and Muffin Spencer’s commanding vocals. The session distilled Brassy’s irreverent style into a live studio setting, underlining their reputation for infectious energy and boundary-pushing creativity.