Brothers Hypnotic

Brothers Hypnotic, released in 2013, is an engaging and heartfelt documentary that explores not just the world of music but familial bonds, individuality, legacy, and the influence of cultural heritage on artistry.

Directed by Reuben Atlas, this film provides an in-depth look at the lives of the eight brothers from the South Side of Chicago known as the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Known for their unique blend of jazz, hip-hop, and soul, the brothers have enchanted crowds worldwide with their music that resonates with raw energy and authentic passion. The brothers have undoubtedly etched distinctive lines in the world of music, but the documentary explores much more than their musical genius. It delves into the narrative that influences their artistry — their upbringing, their relationship with their father, jazz musician Phil Cohran, and their strive to assert their individuality while upholding their family legacy.

Brothers Hypnotic takes you on a mesmerizing journey that begins from the brothers' early days as street performers. Being sons of the legendary Jazz musician Phil Cohran, music—and specifically brass music—has been a part of their lives since their infancy. Cohran, a Chicago jazz legend, is credited with being a part of the Sun Ra Arkestra in the late 1950s and later forming his ensemble, the Artistic Heritage Ensemble. The film showcases how the father imbues these eight young boys, his youngest sons out of a total of 23 children, with everything he knew about music and life.

Their highly disciplined, unorthodox upbringing is at the heart of the documentary. Cohran, a proponent of Afrocentric philosophy, not only taught them music but also home-schooled them, fostered self-reliance, and imparted his philosophies on black consciousness, the importance of family, mindfulness, and the power of music. He guided their early careers, had them rehearsing relentlessly, and instilled in them a sense of independence that saw them refusing to sign with major labels later on in their career.

As the film progresses, the viewers watch as the brothers grapple with the pressures and allure of the mainstream music industry. They find themselves at crossroads, having to choose between lucrative opportunities that may compromise their artistic integrity and their father’s teachings of autonomy and the value of their artistry.

Throughout the film, the brothers struggle with their musical identity, and we see them attempting to balance their father’s values with their ambitions. Director Reuben Atlas expertly reveals the complexities in their relationships, their early lives, and the paths they choose as they navigate the music industry.

Brothers Hypnotic is not just about the brothers' journey musically but is also about their ideological journey as they strive to maintain their father's vision, all while establishing their unique voice in the music industry. It's packed full of moving concert footage, family home videos, and personal interviews with the brothers and their father. Jazz greats such as Prince and Mos Def also make appearances, adding to the music and stories that make the film so engrossing.

The compelling narrative of Brothers Hypnotic is beautifully punctuated by stirring performances, bringing viewers face-to-face with the brothers' immense talent and their robust brand of soul-searching, self-derived, and intensely personal music.

The film also explores the rifts and relationships between the brothers, their personal ambitions, their decisions, and their deep familial ties that bring both, the challenges of navigating the realm of individual and collective identities, and the joys of creating something unforgettable while doing it together.

Atlas’ film is a passionate and prodigious mix of music, family, legacy, and the struggle of staying true to one’s roots in the face of commercial pressures. Brothers Hypnotic is not just a movie for fans of the brass band sound or jazz enthusiasts, but it’s a film for anyone interested in human relationships, the process of art-making, and the challenges and triumphs within family dynamics. It brings to light the behind-the-scenes reality of careers in the arts, the politics of the music industry, and the obstacles faced when attempting to protect artistic integrity in a commercial marketplace.

In literal terms, Brothers Hypnotic is a rich, rhythmic, and fascinating documentary offering a complex, entertaining, and thoughtful film experience that is as rhythmically entrancing as the hypnotic sounds of the ensemble itself.