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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/arts/music/sharon-jones-dap-kings-dies.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-shareContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, City Winery

The New Orleans Suspects are a an unsung, multi-talented, all-star band playing fantastic NOLA-style funk.  This was definitely my favorite City Winery show to-date as they brought the raucus, ruckus that they’re known for from the opening licks of Swampthang to the rousing finale of Big Chief. The City Winery venue is a great venue to see a show and get up front and personal with the artists.  It’s a kind of dinner theater atmosphere where you can get some nice grub coupled with wine made on premises, but it’s a traditional seated venue which is not the usual SuspectsContinue 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: BLOG POSTS, Terminal West

My review for Terminal West is simple – go there, you’ll have a great time. Here’s the link to their show schedule: http://www.terminalwestatl.com/ And, here’s the review I originally posted on Facebook and recently updated: 5 ·Starts My all-time favorite venue. The people who run it — magnificent crew that make everyone feel at home. I’m proud of them and to have them as friends. The music – unbelievable as I’ve seen bands there for the first time or discovered new ones that are now my favorites including Snarky Puppy, Jungle, Lotus, The New Mastersounds, Karl Denison, The Motet, TeaContinue Reading

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Big Sam Williams is a force of nature and an instant party wherever he goes.  I had the pleasure of seeing him twice in the last 6 months at Terminal West most recently on September 24.  In a word, he is a showman – talented trombone player, funky singer, energetic dancer and charismatic personality all in one. His shows are continuous kinetic energy and he always gets the crowd up, especially for one of his signature songs, Shake That Funky Donkey. On October 13th, 2016 Big Sam’s Funky Nation’s West Coast tour hit a snag after thieves broke into their van andContinue Reading