Earliest Known Footage of Joe Russo Resurfaces With Fat Mama In 1996

I remember when, as a senior in high school in Cherry Hill, NJ, my older pal Ross Kaufman brought Fat Mama’s debut CD Mammatus back from CU Boulder, over a holiday break. Within a few spins, our squad was transfixed! Much as we found Grant Green by way of The Greyboy Allstars, I would navigate my way to Agharta, On the Corner, and Sextant through Fat Mama. Mammatus was our introduction to the band and the man himself, Sir Joe Russo. The fearless conglomerate evolved over time, from a Herbie Hancock-influenced style to a very textural, shoegaze electro-rage that incorporated much of what was to come, from contemporary behemoths like Radiohead, to the most niche, indie, avant-garde artists imaginable. Their musical fabric was sewn with exploratory sonic adventuring from Kendrick’s then-revolutionary turntablism, vibes and electronics, amid Miles-esque brass leads from the duo of Brett Joseph (tenor saxophone) and Jon Gray (trumpet and trombone). The focused team told mystical and melodic tales atop Russo’s lyrical, jazzy, breakbeat drumming and freewheeling bass gymnastics. For five years, Fat Mama redefined what was possible for our burgeoning scene, purveyors and surveyors on the never-ending search for new land.

Former Relix Magazine Assistant Editor Wayan Zoey, who went to high school in Potomac, MD with Deutsch and bassist Jonti Siman, had this to say in reflection of the mighty Fat Mama: