Ray Davies’ Button Down Brass was a British instrumental orchestra known for its vibrant brass arrangements and stylish interpretations of popular hits. Led by Ray Davies (October 7, 1927 – July 20, 2017), a highly respected composer, arranger, and trumpeter (not to be confused with The Kinks’ Ray Davies), the ensemble became prominent in the 1960s and 1970s.
Formed in the mid-1960s following a Reader’s Digest session aiming to create a British counterpart to Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass, Button Down Brass specialized in creating big band-style adaptations of famous pop, jazz, and film themes.
Featuring Davies’ distinctive “funky trumpet,” the group blended jazz, pop, and orchestral elements, producing a series of popular albums. Their sound was characterized by bold brass sections, groovy rhythms, and a lighthearted yet sophisticated touch.
They released numerous albums featuring covers of James Bond themes, TV and film themes, such as Themes from The Exorcist & Flashpoint (1976) and Funk in Hell (1976) and funk-inspired arrangements of well-known hits.
Their music became a staple of the easy-listening and lounge genres, often featured on radio, television, and even production music libraries. Over the years, their recordings gained a cult following among fans of vintage instrumental music and library funk.
Though not as widely known today, Button Down Brass remains a respected name in British instrumental music, with their records still enjoyed by collectors and enthusiasts of the genre.
63 recordings by Ray Davies’ Button Down Brass you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
Adios Mariquita Linda • Bonnie And Clyde • By The Time I Get To Phoenix • Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You • Caravan • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang • Choo Choo Samba • Delilah • Do You Know The Way To San Jose • El Pato Loco • Everybody’s Talking • Fame • Fool On The Hill • Girl Talk • Green Grow The Rushes-O • Hadrian’s Wall • Heavy Water • Historia de un Amor • It’s Not Unusual • Kiss Kiss Jive • La Bamba • La Golondrina • Let The Heartaches Begin • Little Brown Jug • Love Is Blue (L’amour est bleu) • MacArthur Park • Mach 1 • Martinique • Moon River • My Love • Never On Sunday • On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) • Once I Loved • Our Man In Brazil • Over The Rainbow • Punta Prima • Raindrops Keep Faling On My Head • Singin’ In The Rain • Somethin’ Stupid • Streets Of Laredo • Superstar • Sway (Quien Sera) • Sweet And Gentle • Tengo un Amor • Tequila • The Good, The Bad And The Ugly • The Last Waltz • The Look Of Love • The More I See You • The Odd Couple • The Pink Panther Theme • The Right One – The Girl In The Green Dress • The Shadow Of Your Smile • The Shadow Of Your Smile • The Theme from ”Shaft” • They Say It’s Wonderful • This Guy’s In Love With You • Truckin’ • Up, Up And Away • What A Wonderful World • Would You • Young Girl • Zorba The Greek – Zorba’s Dance •
