# Brass Construction – Help Yourself / Pick Yourself Up Review
Brass Construction emerged from Brooklyn in the mid-1970s as one of the most distinctive voices in funk and soul music, bringing a fresh energy to the disco era that was dominating the charts. By 1978, when this single was released on United Artists Records, the group had already established themselves as master musicians with their self-titled debut album and subsequent releases that showcased their tight horn arrangements and infectious grooves. This 12-inch single represents the band at a pivotal moment, capturing their ability to blend sophisticated funk instrumentation with the dance floor appeal that made them festival favorites and radio staples.
The Help Yourself / Pick Yourself Up single exemplifies Brass Construction's signature sound during this period. The A-side, "Help Yourself," clocks in at just over four minutes but packs considerable punch with its muscular bass lines and punchy horn section that was the group's calling card. The track pulses with a disco undertone while maintaining the funk foundation that separated Brass Construction from purely dance-oriented acts. The arrangement showcases the group's live musicianship, with layered horns creating a wall of sound that feels both polished and raw.
"Pick Yourself Up" on the B-side extends the groove to nearly five minutes, allowing more space for the rhythm section to breathe and establish the track's hypnotic quality. This song demonstrates the group's versatility, presenting a slightly more introspective take on their funk-soul template while never abandoning the danceability that made their records essential for DJs and club dancers alike. The horn work remains stellar, with crisp arrangements that never overshadow the groove.
For vinyl collectors, this 12-inch single represents an important document of late 1970s funk and disco, capturing Brass Construction at a point when they were balancing artistic integrity with commercial success. The extended format allows the songs to develop their grooves more fully than typical radio cuts, giving listeners the fuller picture of the band's live energy. Both tracks exemplify why Brass Construction remained influential figures in the era, and this single showcases their enduring ability to craft durable, engaging funk-soul records that have only improved with age.
