Mopapod? Dopatet?  The double bill of Dopapod + The Motet at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on 11/18 promised to be a funk extravaganza as it was the last of the pairing of these two bands on the tour.  The pumped up crowd was stoked from Dopapod’s opening (Dopapod opening tune on YouTube) right to the superjam at the end (The Motet + Dopapod, This is How We Do It on YouTube). Dopapod  recently released their fifth studio album, Megagem and has been on tour with The Motet for a few weeks.  After a New Year’s Eve show in Boston, the groupContinue Reading

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

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