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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy

Ethos is a Greek word meaning “character” that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence emotions, behaviours, and even morals. Snarky Puppy is a multi-talented musical family for sure but their people, starting with Michael League, show such leadership in the way that they connect with the world.  As I started to get into the band, I saw many videos where the band was recording live in front of students.  I  learned that the group often givesContinue Reading

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In: Aisle 5, BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy, Terminal West, The New Mastersounds, Variety Playhouse

Since there’s currently no funk category in the Grammys, it’s time to step up with the ‘Funkys’ – FunkCity’s annual awards for funk in and out of Atlanta. Funkiest Album – Snarky Puppy Culcha Vulcha Culcha Vulcha is a continuation in the evolution of Snarky Puppy and a killer album from end to end. Tarova, opens with a drum role and Big Ugly ends with a crescendo.  Not to mention the bonus track Jefe which doesn’t appear on the physical CD.  The pups meld multiple musical styles, as usual, ranging from South American melodies on Semente to down tempo grooves likeContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy

More than once I’ve been asked what kind of music Snarky Puppy plays?  A natural response would be jazz-funk-fusion but with recent albums We Like It Here, Family Dinner- Volume 2, Sylva and Culcha Vulcha, you’d have to add ‘world’ into the mix.  And why not classical since Sylva, which I consider a jazz symphony, was recorded with the 52-piece Metropole Orkest from the Netherlands.  Mostly instrumental, yes, but they’ve also cut two Family Dinner albums with vocals.  So ultimately, the band is the most unique, evolving, and growing band I’ve ever seen. Their unpredictability makes each album and eachContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy, Terminal West

This is the first in a multi-part blog about my favorite band, Snarky Puppy.  I was first encouraged to see the band by a young fan while attending a Lettuce rager at Terminal West (Atlanta). A quick check on the venue website revealed that the Pups were scheduled to hit the same venue three weeks later, which turned out to be my first show. Upon entering Terminal West for that first show, I noticed the crowd was noticeably urban and was buzzing.  I could literally feel the excitement and asked one fan why the group was apparently hip and relevantContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Terminal West, The New Mastersounds

The New Mastersounds are one of my perennial favorites both live and recorded and this year’s The Nashville Session brings the best of both together.  It’s a fresh spin on some old (and new) tunes and that is one that defines their sound which I call retro funk.  The Nashville Session last year and was released on vinyl only in April and then digitally in October 2016. The album was recorded live in studio and mixed down to quarter-inch stereo tape and then cut direct to vinyl lacquers with no overdubs (Jambase). The album is a compilation of 9 retakes onContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy

Mark Lettieri (guitar) and Shaun Martin (keys) are two long-time members of the world’s greatest funk-jazz-world band Snarky Puppy and they brought their individual and collective magic to Fountaine Lewis’ Jazz and Jokes Atlanta at Venkman’s in the Old Fourth Ward. Mark was featuring cuts from his 2016 release Spark and Echo and showed his versatility and dexterity — he can move stylistically from near-metal shredding to jamtronica to funk to jazz all with equal.  Check out this clip from early in his set – Mark Lettieri Live.   Spark and Echo is a fine 10 track set.  I particularly likeContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, The New Mastersounds

  Nice representation of NMS — one of the best in the business! 1. Way Out West 2. Miracles 3. Sitting on my Knees* 4. Idris (feat. Anders Beck) 5. This Ain’t Work 6. Pure 7. Afro Metropolis* 8. Made For Pleasure 9. In The Middle* 10. Ode to Bobbie Gentry 11. Dusty Groove 12. San Frantico 13. Cigar Time 14. Surfin’* 15. Burnt Back 16. Spooky* / Idle Time 17. Baby Bouncer / Goodfoot* / Baby Bouncer 18. The Vandenburg Suite 19. Make Me Proud! 20. One Note BrownContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Terminal West, The New Mastersounds

Flashback to CTI Records 1970? No, it’s 2016 and The New Mastersounds recorded The Nashville Session live, direct to vinyl.  The results are a spectacular collection of 11 tunes, 9 retakes of earlier material and 2 new ones (as far as I can tell) including this cut In the Middle.  These guys play what I consider retro funk and each are amazing in their own rite.  Eddie always is remarkable in his precision picking reminding me of George Benson or Wes Montgomery but on speed.  Pete’s persistent bass is as hard driving as you’ll ever hear and links with bothContinue Reading

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In: Album of the Week, ALBUMS, BANDS, BLOG POSTS

The biggest musical surprise for me at Hulaween this past weekend was Ajeva (a-jay-vuh) and therefore they merit Album of the Week.  I was approached by chance by Reed Skahill (lead vox/guitar/keys) walking around Spirit Lake and we naturally started talking about music.  When I mentioned groups that I appreciate, Reed gave me sticker and mentioned that I should check them out on Friday night.  They performed a kickass set (shown in the picture) which was a mix of funk, jazz and progressive rock — all rolled into prog funk according to their website.   One of their finest, most fun,Continue Reading

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In: Album of the Week, ALBUMS, BANDS, BLOG POSTS

I only know Fort Knox Five from their albums, including their release Pressurize The Cabin (2015) which was just recently remixed and reissued.  Check out Pressurize the Cabin as Album of the Week. You can stream the album from the list on the right. Here’s what FK5’s website says about the remix of this album which is now available for purchase: “You only turn 100 once, so you better go big! To celebrate Fort Knox Recordings 100th release Fort Knox Five have compiled 20 of the biggest remixes from their latest full-length album “Pressurize the Cabin.” Ranging from Glitch Hop and HouseContinue Reading