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In: BLOG POSTS, Snarky Puppy, Terminal West

This show will go down as one of the most surprising, great shows of the year! Having seen Jimmy only a few times with Widespread Panic, KDTU and Colonel Bruce Hampton, I was expected a full on jam band vibe.  I certainly know Kevin Scott and Matt Slocum from the ATL scene and have seen them play multiple styles from jazz improv to soul to exceptional funk to straight up rock and roll. But Jimmy Herring and the Invisible Whip — well, they tore the Terminal West house down.  The sound blended the best of new space age trance andContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, City Winery

Nice interview with Jeff Watkins of The New Orleans Suspects. Definitely an under the radar supergroup that you need to check out if you haven’t already got the word. We set out to New Orleans to talk to saxophone player Jeff Watkins, who after years of touring with greats like James Brown and Joss Stone, have pulled together a supergroup of musicians called … Source: JAMES BROWN CALLED THIS MAN “THE NINTH WONDER OF THE WORLD” — AM FM Studios MagazineContinue Reading

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In: BLOG POSTS, Terminal West

Thundercat put on a great show at Terminal West on March 7th.  Here’s coverage of his latest album as well as other members of the West Coast Get Down that you might want to check outContinue Reading

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In: Terminal West

Naughty Professor is one of the great ‘new’ New Orleans funk bands.  Last time they were in Atlanta they blew the roof off of the venue with their super tight funky horn licks and overall slick arrangements. Of course they were co-winners of the 1st annual Funky award for Funkiest new artist.  A friend of mine suggested they sound like a cross between Galactic and Snarky Puppy, fine company for sure, but NP has a sound all their own.  You don’t want to miss their upcoming show at Terminal West on March 18th.  You know all the residents of FunkContinue 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, 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, 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: Variety Playhouse

Galactic took their NOLA jam funk to Variety Playhouse last night and delighted the packed house with their extremely talented crew. Erica Falls commands the stage on vocals, not an easy feat in front of a powerhouse band like Galactic. House favorites included Hey Na Na, Dollar Diva, and Higher and Higher and she slays every song she performs. As always, the band is propelled by Stanton Moore, master of the skins and Ben Ellman wailing on tenor and bari sax and harmonica. My personal instrumental favorite of the nite was Balkan Wedding featuring great horn licks and a terrificContinue 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