https://soundcloud.com/davewesleyrecordings/five-minutes-to-sundown
 
Here's the second in my suite of spy-themed tunes. I meant to make one long piece but I guess it shook out more like this. I like this one better! Comments and criticism well-received!
(hear the first here)

anything?

Full marks for creativity! Love the genre. 
 
Here's three observations. 1) the cymbal/hi hat in the first 30 seconds seemed a little extra sizzly to me, you might consider bringing it down a bit in the mix, or re-eq'ing some top end off.
 
2) Overall, the horns were nice, but they overwhelm the piano to a large degree. I'd back the horns off a bit, and in particular, you have one that is farting, I think it might be a bari sax or a low trombone? I'm a piano player so that's my disclaimer.
 
3) I thought the major chord ending didn't fit the darker, noir-ish tone of the rest of the piece. 
 
I did enjoy it and I look forward to where this one goes - waaay coooool of you to write in this vein!
 
cheers,
-Tom

Nice hooks and interesting use of pitch slides (pitch bend / glissando)  
 
Minor Criticisms: Mix is a bit lop-sided (Drums).  In some parts the very low brass notes have a little too much spit, the spit can be tamed in various ways such as, filter cut.  Crescendos (brass) is nice but could be a little more dynamic (dramatic), and at other times the brass is a bit low in the mix.  Piano at times i.e. earlier in the piece, is a little too far back in the mix.  Arrangement seems somewhat unfinished... i.e. what works exceptionally well with brass is a 'string ensemble' for subtle changes and build ups, or more dramatic if you wish. 
 
 
 

Realistic brass sounds...aside from the minor artistic differences. I like it!

Thanks a lot for the comments, guys! This is my second attempt at an energetic brass-powered piece like this and I think I'll keep writing things with similar instrumentation.
 
Tom, I'll keep your comments in mind for a future mix of this track. Humurously enough, the 4/4 at the end of the piece made me only think "Japanese Anime" theme song sound, and I felt that super-high trumpet made it work, but at the same time I arranged this in only about 2 hours so i didn't work everything out as perfectly as I could have/would have!
 
SongCraft, you're definitely right. I originally intended to write in a string section but I had trouble figuring out how to fit it in well. I'll have to be more aware of my arrangement choices as I go forward.
 
Starise, thanks for the comments here and there! All of this is actually like-recorded brass, albeit treated a bit to sound as good as a 2-hr mix will let it sound.
Thanks a lot for listening, guys! More soon :)
 

All comments above are well given I thought it had good sound overall, what did you use for the brass?
 
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for listening, John! I actually record all of my brass (except french horn). I prefer augmenting samples/synths with live instruments because I think of myself as more of a mix engineer rather than a composer/arranger; I like to hear finished products!

Cool stuff... good horn riffs.  Would like to have heard a bit more of the piano.

Dave, I like your eclectic style and arrangements.  As this was so short, I was left with wanting more.  I agree with others that you could tweak the mix a bit, but you have something good to work with.  BTW, I used to play in a brass band, so I like your brassy arrangements.