Butcher Brown delivered an expansive cover of Brandy‘s “Best Friend” in a video shared to its YouTube page on Monday. This latest installment of the Mothership Mondays video series saw Alex Isley join the group on vocals.
Butcher Brown launches into the R&B hit, originally released on Brandy’s 1994 self-titled debut LP, with all the poise expected of the Virginia-based jazz/fusion quintet. The cohesive instrumentation stays true to the original, deviating only slightly for some short lines on the saxophone by Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney or the occasional interjection of a guitar lick from Morgan Burrs.
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Isley truly channels the essence of Brandy for the vocal components, breathing life into the 2:31 telling. Isley’s poignant vocals offer a calming sound that transports the listener to the height of ’90s R&B while still showcasing her own unique vocal qualities. All in all, this cover of “Best Friend” highlights Butcher Brown’s ability to blend its various musical inspirations, such as jazz, hip hop, rock, and soul, and churn out classic covers in a highly-listenable manner. Watch Butcher Brown cover Brandy’s “Best Friend” with Alex Isley via the video player below.
The only tour date on Butcher Brown’s calendar for 2022 is a stop at SweetWater 420 Festival in Atlanta, GA on April 29th–May 1st. Head here for tickets and stay tuned to the band’s website for the latest tour information.
Butcher Brown ft. Alex Isley – “Best Friend” (Brandy)