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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

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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

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In: BLOG POSTS, Voodoo Visionary

Voodoo Visionary brought their feel good funk to Big Sky Buckhead Saturday night as their final in town gig before opening for Tauk at the Variety Playhouse on November 18th.    The group is on the verge of releasing their second album and they are fast developing a fan base across the Southeast. Many in crowd had seen them before and were coming back for more. For me, highlights of their show are always “Sticky Situation” along with “Harmony” which they nailed, as expected. Mike Wilson shreds guitar with the best of them. Dennis Dowd brings back memories of Rufus or SlyContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy

GroundUp Music Festival Three sets of Snarky Puppy and three days with some of the most talented musicians in the world on the beach in Miami Beach in February!.  What more encouragement do you need?Continue Reading

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In: Album of the Week, ALBUMS, BANDS, BLOG POSTS, Terminal West, The New Mastersounds

The New Mastersounds went to Nashville to record some of their classics live right to vinyl thus creating an album that has the groove and feel of one of their live shows.  For those of us who listen to digital music, we had to wait 6 months digital version of the album and, man it was worth it. Each of NMS members have virtuoso skills so putting them together melds intricate melodies with driving backbeats.  The album showcases both their collective, interactive teamwork but also their exceptional solo skills.  It’s a combination that’s hard to match. I’ll be adding trackContinue Reading

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Can’t wait to see two of my favorite funk bands together at Terminal West on December 15. This is an appetizer of things to come — from The New Mastersounds album Breaks from the Border, Turkuaz take “On the Border.”Continue Reading

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Pumped for the first Atlanta show (as far as I know) for Brass-A-Holics at Vinyl on Thursday, October 7th. Brass-A-Holics are a New Orleans go-go  funk, brass band that  I first heard a couple of years ago and was totally taken in by their driving horns and rhythym section. Then in NOLA back in February at Le Bon Temps Roulé I took in my first live show and I was blown away.  It was cold outside but pure heat and energy each size.  They do some great original stuff as well as some mean covers like Earth, Wind and Fire, In the Stone.Continue Reading

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This is the first in a series of many “Song of the Day” posts, hopefully.  The penultimate, altissimo tenor sax player, Lenny Pickett with the UMO Orchestra with his take on the Tower of Power classic What is Hip?  Of course, Lenny recorded and played this many times with TOP during his nearly 10 years with the band. “The Prescription”, only his second solo album was released in 2014 and showcases his funky talent. If you don’t know him, he’s also been in the SNL band since 1985 and its musical director since 1995.  If you dig the intro and outroContinue Reading

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/arts/music/stanley-dural-jr-founder-of-buckwheat-zydeco-dies-at-68.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-shareContinue Reading