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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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Naughty Professor Release Video and First Listen of New Song “Stray” Featuring David Shaw of The Revivalists From Their Album Identity, Coming in 2017 New Orleans will forever hold a special musica… Source: David Shaw of The Revivalists & Naughty Professor Release Video and First Listen of New Song “Stray”Continue Reading

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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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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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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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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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  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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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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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