Funk You

Reuben Wilson, Grant Green, Jr. & Clyde Stubblefield

Thought I'd post a shot I took at The Elbo Room, San Francisco, CA (11/12/2005).  A friend of mine took me to see this concert for my soon to be birthday.  What a solid night.  These guys jammed late into the evening, with clyde providing the funky beats.  Grant Green Jr. laid out some great riffs on his guitar and Reuben, the B3 master, rounded it all out.  Amazing to see this trio at a time when soul jazz is so out of favor.  Heres a photo from the night. Click on it for a large photo

Wes Montgomery - Full House - Jazz 625

Wes Montgomery was perhaps one of the best jazz guitarists of the sixties. Amazing that he was able to have created such a unique style with the picking of the guitar with just one thumb. Gotta love the way the black & white filming creates such a mood. Subtle use of depth of field, focus on the hands, and unique angles make this filming a true gem. If only concerts were filmed with such detail today. Enjoy this one...it gets really kickin' around 4:55. Feel the groove.

James Brown Video Week - Vid #1

As everybody knows, YouTube is a goldmine. I thought I'd take some time to post some of the gems I've found.

Song of the Day - FRANCINE KING (featuring Sax Kari) / Two Fools

This one is off of the "Sax Kari & Others -- Fumigate Funky Broadway - The New Orleans Sessions".

According to Dusty Groove, this is "A great batch of rough New Orleans soul -- recorded by Crescent City impresario Sax Kari and a host of other acts that he handled during the mid and late 60s! Sax is a lesser-known name in the annals of New Orleans soul ..."

I dig it cuz the drums are funky and the bass line is deep.  On top of this the lyrics are spot on.  Francine sings about hard headed women and 2 faced men.  We've all met them before, maybe you've dated one, but hey, at least you ain't alone.  Heck I even met a 3 handed woman once.  She was left  handed, right handed and underhanded.  Doah! 

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Song of the Day - Bobby Byrd / I'm On the Move

Bpbby Byrd was James Brown's wingman and backup singer in his Famous Flames backup vocal group

His solo career was short lived at best. However his contribution is not to be overlooked as he may have been the one to set James Brown on the right path by getting him a place to sleep and a job so he could get out of doing time in a juvenile detention center. In addition to being his bandleader and arranger until 1970, he also wrote more than 40 of his biggest hits.

This particular song came off a 1994 album with roughly the same name, "On the Move", which was many years since the brilliance of 1970's soul had faded.

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Song of the Day - Groove Collective / The Great Escape

This acid jazz outfit from downtown New York City was formed in 1990 by flutist Richard Worth.  Groove Collective has had 5 or so albums since then.  They're best seen live as their studio albums do not capture their raw live essence.

This particular song is off the out of print "Live and Hard To Find" album.  If you can find it I suggest picking it up as it really contains some great material.  "The Great Escape" is a wonderful track with keyboard licks that will knock your socks off.  Groovy!  This track sounds like it easily could have come out in the very early 70's.   

They just played this last weekend so it seems as they are still together in some shape or another.  Keep an eye on the radar to see if they're coming to your town.

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Song of the Day - Sam & Dave / Can't You Find Another Way

Samuel Moore and David Prater spent their childhood singing in church in the South. Their chance meeting took place in Miami at the at the "King of Hearts Club" in Miami in 1961. Their chance meeting lead to many highs and lows. The highs were the creation of some incredibly soulful songs. The lows, were creative indifferences, drug use and David's untimely death.

Their best years, albeit short occurred between 1966 and 1968. They released such greats as "Hold On! I'm Comin", "Soul Man" and "I Thank You". It's a shame that two guys who produced such quality work hated each other behind the scenes.

Enjoy this one off their "Soul Man" album. The drums and horns keep this one funky.

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Funk Night @ Sublounge

If you live near San Francisco then come on down to Sublounge this Friday 03/25 for a little soul clappin' and booty shakin'...Heck you may even get a chance to meet me.  I'll be wearing my Speed Racer T-shirt so feel free to introduce yourself.

>> DJ Ryan Polk will be spinning rare grooves and funk 45's
>> D.J.P. will be bustin' out with classic funk tracks from back in the day

That's not all...  how about:
Happy hour drink specials all night long: $2 beers and $3 well drinks!
... AND ...
No cover charge!

for directions and more info visit:
http://www.sublounge.com

Song of the Day - Parlet / Help From My Friends

Parlet was essentially comprised of back-up singers from P-Funk. George Clinton was their producer on each of their 3 albums. "Play Me or Trade Me", "Pleasure Principal", and "Invasion of the Booty Snatchers" have roots in Funk, R&B, Soul and Disco.

This particular song doesn't stray from the established vibe that the Mothership always brought. It's basically more of the same under the guise of female singers who in this case take center stage. This being said there is just something here that works. Maybe it's the keyboard riff or funk laiden backstage. The women of Parlet can also belt it out when not singing the reprise.

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Song of the Day - Roy Ayers / He's A Superstar

Roy Ayers, one of the great jazz vibraphonists of the 1960s and funk fusion greats of the 70's could take any subject and make it soulful and funky.

Let me start by saying that I'm not all that religious.  I am spiritual however.  This particular song praises Jesus Christ, the Superstar.  This song is so funk laiden and catchy it just makes you want to meet him, praise him and hang with him even if you're not religious.

Roy starts out with a diatribe, on corruption, destruction, and our fate.  The song then builds, and builds like a preacher firing up his congregation. 

Everything just works on this track.  The BPMs on this song are outta control as the drummer's beat is relentless.  The wah wah of the guitar never stops and keyboard baptises the rest of the song with it's groove.  Enjoy.

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