Thank Al. Will do. And Al? Thanks again for this thread.
Isn’t this hobby, the end, all about the MUSIC?
Chazro, great stuff. Gotta get me soma dat Honeydrippin new (old) music!
Gotta run, it’s off to the Fox Theater to hear the most outrageous Oakland soul/funk band of all!!!
Funk the Dumb Stuff !! |
I just discovered this band YESTERDAY! They been around for yrs but I never heard of them. Here's the thing, while we all love the Funk and the bands that play it, the truth is the Funk is just a part of what they do. TOP, EW&F, you name the artist/band, and they all incorporate ballads, shuffles, and a slew of other styles during a concert. Whether it's Funk, R&B, whatever, it's SOUL music, 1st & foremost! Ladies & gents, straight outta Oakland, I give you the California Honeydrops! Man, I luv hearin' new music!;)
https://youtu.be/BWINgViKj-c |
Frank, have fun tonight. And please post a review when you return.
Peace
Al |
Thanks for reminding me about the Headhunters LP Frogman. I have not dusted that LP off and played it in quite a while so it was great hearing it again.
I bought that LP in 1973 and the funk band I was in back in the day played the opening track in our first set in the club days (during my brief but wonderful career as a musician cut short by an accident).
Well, tonight is the night I get to see and hear Tower of Power’s Offical 50th Anniversary concert in Oakland CA with many of the alumni. Lenny Pickett and Chester Thompson will be there and it will be amazing when they all play together. Music so fresh and exciting after half a century - and it never grows old or stale to me.
Cheers,
Frank
|
|
Cool .I am glad that you liked it .
Try also
Galactic-Vintage Reserve 2003
Galactic -Late For The Future -2000
Soulive- Steady Groovin
Galactic -Coolin Off |
@grey9hound The final album I listened to last night was your recommended "Renewable Energy" by The New Mastersounds. Compared to the other recommendations I have listened to thus far, this felt like a smoother funk record. I enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know about this band. |
@flynnyrd Thanks for posting the link. Yep, my boys told me this was on the way.
|
|
As I mentioned earlier (I think), one of my boys plays drum kit. He told me today that his band buddies all picked songs to feed into a group music stream to listen to together. He picked this one, from a a new LP he bought on record day--It is from the Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and Friends--"Cool Down" album (2018). The song is called "Elevate"--I think BP was 78 years old when this record came out. IMO this album is very uneven, but BP is still at it and "Elevate" is one of the better numbers on the record. If you haven't heard BP's record "Soul Drums" (1968) it is a beat machine, phenomenal drumming, but the sonics leave quite a bit to be desired. "Elevate" is below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWN73WfFUQU |
@acman3 and @shadorne Just listened to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band album entitled, "Twenty Dozen". Nawlins' Music!. Wah wah trumpets, swinging tuba, foot tapping--this is dance in a Southern Louisiana street music,--but then there's "Git Up" a slowed down groove--horns harmonized--smooth with the organ holding chords while the sax slides over the top of a chunky walking bass lines. I like the relaxed pace of this band. They can slow down without sounding tired--that is hard to do. They rev up without losing the groove. The album is clearly New Orleans flavored but the tracks are all different from one another. Wow, so far all these recommendations are impressive.
Keep 'em coming--and if you can add a story--all the better.
Regards
Al |
I agree with chazro about TOP’s peak record. Back To Oakland is a great record; but I think that peak record status needs to be shared with Urban Renewal. Maybe putting too fine a point on things since they were both recorded the same year (1974), but if forced to choose, I might choose UR as the one...maybe. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UrxRJ9HlfZkLenny Picket is a very unusual musician and very erudite individual. Aside from his obvious talents as a great funk tenor player, one much lesser known creative side of his is that he is also a very accomplished modern composer who has written many chamber and orchestral works including an opera. Great story, chazro, btw. |
@chazro Awesome backstory! My son plays the bass and Marcus Miller is one of his idols. I bought him "Afrodeeza" on LP for Christmas a few years back. At the time I could only find it for sale outside the US. That, I thought, was tragic. Pretty cool album though. There is a guy who should have more vinyl in his catalog. |
….for giggles you should check out bass virtuoso, and a true Fonk Monsta in his own right, Marcus Miller’s version of What Is Hip from his record; Marcus. It’s an amazing performance but it also slams the point home about what a groundbreaking bassist/musician Francis Rocco Prestia is as thru most of the tune, Marcus is simply playing Rocco’s amazing licks! |
Glad you enjoy Cleary's Go-Go Juice, when yr ready for more of the same, chk out Occapella! As far as Santa Fe & FCH goes, I also felt The Answer to be uneven. The one before that; When The Curtain Goes Up, is a better record IMO. You can hear tunes from this (and probably the majority of what's being recommended!) on YouTube! As far as TOP goes, Back To Oakland is their peak record. I was so into the band at this time, I saw them a bunch of times with the original line up! Too bad there isn't a live record from these days featuring Lenny Williams, the band was truly on fire in every way! In the mid 70's during their 'Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now' tour, me and a gal pal went to see them at My Fathers Place, a club in NY. Between sets the band came out to the bar and my friend met trumpeter Greg Adams. Long story short, they've been happily married ever since! Adams has been playing with his band; East Bay Soul, for yrs now. I'll admit to not really digging this band, a little too soft & commercial for my tastes, and I think the bar being set SO high might have something to do with it. But you might wanna chk 'em out! |
I recommend Soul Vaccination Live By TOP as their best live album to own. A bit compressed dynamically (the heavy hand of Vlado Meller in Mastering) but very punchy and a great performance by Brent Carter (vocals) with just incredible energy from the entire crew. You are in row 5 with this recording. Live and in Living Colour is second best live - not as energetic perhaps a bit wistful or more “soul” leaning - only 5 tracks - though it has an amazing 23 minute Knock yourself out jam - a legendary performance - where Chester Thompson literally goes nuts! - not so close miked (1976) - row 20.
|
@chazro Per your recommendation I listened to Jon Cleary's "Go-Go Juice" to end out my evening last night. I already was a bit familiar with Cleary from his work with Scofield on "Piety Street". So, my take on "Go-Go Juice" is that it feels like you walked into a New Orleans club and this sound meets you at the door. It is terrific because it is accessible. It is not the big sound of TOP, or Sante Fe and the Fat City Horns or Five Alarm Funk. That is not a knock on it at all. I like it--a lot. I bought the CD. This thread is starting to cost me money :-) New music is always a good thing! |
@fmpnd Thanks for the heads up on the new TOP CD. I'm going to get based on your recommendation. Also, please post a report after the 50th Anniversary concert. That should be cool.
|
Al
I am so glad to be able to share some music with you and others here and glad your boys may like Five Alarm Funk. I see others have echoed a few from my list and that makes me so happy others are listening to these great groups.
i was fortunate today to have received Tower of Power’s first new CD (of original new music not a compilation) in nine years. I got it two days before it comes out on Friday (their label Mack Avenue Records is in Detroit right by my office) and it is truly fabulous! It’s called “Soul Side of Town”
FIFTY YEARS together and they haven’t lost a beat. Check it out and it comes on vinyl too for us LP guys!
Truly enjoyed and appreciated your post and this thread Al.
Frank
|
@fmpnd recommended Five Alarm Funk. I listened to "Anything Is Possible." This is the most eclectic group I have listened to from the "funk" groups listed above. This album is from 2010. Maybe the singer has changed (I hope so), I'm not into the singing numbers--the singer has no range--but there are only a few singing numbers. This group's sound is a mashup of big horns, a lot of guitar with the distortion and gain pushed up and a bass/drum combo that stays in sync pretty effectively. The song "UK 47" has a very cool bass groove and "Face Riot" is infectious. The shout-outs are super cool to close out the album..."ladies and gentlemen remember anything is possible!"...this song (Face Riot) is a winner. Thanks Frank. I can predict that this album is going to be a hit with my boys and their band buddies.
Regards
Al |
@grey9hound BTW I enjoyed the "ranting and raving." Glad you laid out your system for us too.
Regards
Al |
I have now listened to Sante Fe and the Fat City Horns' "The Answer"; the band was recommended by both @fmpnd and @chazro
I like the band overall, although I found this album a bit uneven. It seemed to lose its focus at times. I should note that I'm a big proponent of albums, so that is generally how I listen to artists and bands. Anyway, I like the band enough to give it another go with a different album after I work my way through the other recommended bands above. |
@kacomess Thanks for the recommendations. I will put them on the listen list. |
Some 1960s funk bands from the obscure realm:
-->"Cold Blood": well worth a listen. They were occasionally performing, at least as of 4-5 years ago.
-->"Sons of Champlin" also worth your time (Bill C. occasionally played with Tower of Power). Dated lyrics but excellent tripping and funk tunes (some very long tracks, e.g., "You Can Fly" and "Get High")
-->"The Loading Zone" was the funk house band of the Fillmore. Forgotten and underappreciated, especially Linda Tillary, the lead singer. Many cover tracks. "The Bells" is interesting and bizarre. She is now an occasional gospel singer.
|
@grey9hound Thank you. I will check them out. |
"Funky Destination" is a cool group
"Resolution is Only Solution " is the album that get from Pandora .
I am using
"Nightmares On Wax" as the Station name .
I am getting a lot of Cool stuff this way .
BTW .. I am using a Roku Ultra with HDMI out to the 4K HDR capable HDMI in of the Freaking Awesome Oppo -UDP-203.
The Oppo has 2 HDMI ouputs .
#1HDMI out is Audio Only (I am sending it to an HDMI Input on My McIntosh MX151) the Other 4K HDR . #2 HDMI output is going to My Sony 70 inch 4K TV.
It is Unreal how good the sound is ... Better than my JRiver into the Mx151 , with HDMI also.
All of my HDMI cables are all Purist Audio Design... except one .
The one HDMI cable that goes from The Roku out to the Oppo-203 in , is the Wireworld HDMI Starlight 6.
I Know this is a lot to Digest, But I have never heard anything sound this good.
Amps are McIntosh MC30s (restored by Yves Beauvais at Vintage Vacuum Audio)
Pre-Amp is McIntosh MX151 (with Lyngdorf Room Correction)
Interconnects are the AWESOME Purist Audio Design- Dominus-Fluid .
Power Cable for the MX151 is Purist Audio Dominus -Fluid
Speakers are the Tekton Double Impact.
Speaker cables are The Sonoran Desert Plateau by Star Sound Technologies
Speakers are the Tekton Double Impact..
The speakers are also sitting on the Sistrum Apprentice Platforms .
I am sorry about ranting and raving , BUT, I have never heard a system sound this GOOD.
Very Natural Unforced Sound with KILLER BASS , imaging..etc .
IT HAS IT ALL.
I cannot believe it myself. For the first time in Many many years , I am completely satisfied with this setup
|
@shadorne @fmpd TOP "Back to Oakland" is there a preferred CD pressing? |
I just finished listening to Tower of Power's "Back to Oakland." The first word that came to mind is "complete"--It has everything. Great horns, beautiful harmonies, driving beat, upbeat funky, lush strings in some places, the sax player is GREAT and the main lead singer is feeling it. Oh and there is tremendous variety while remaining within the genre. This is a Full album--yet not overproduced. @shadorne can you please just send me complete playlists please?! :-) @fmpnd Squib Cakes is a very fun song. And I'm getting ready to listen to some of your recommendations next.
I will tell you what I think afterwards. |
|
Shadorne, I couldn’t agree more. Not only is Back to Oakland my favorite album of all time but I also I totally agree on Chester Thompson. His timing, ability to keep intensifying a groove, his foot pedal work and his ability to play off Rocco and Garibaldi was just sublime. Throw in Lenny Pickett and I am in soul/funk/music heaven.
My all time favorite is Squib Cakes. |
|
+1 that video - I loved LP solo. Nothing better than that except perhaps the same track with Chester Thompson. Chester had a way and timing with the B-3 that used call and response at its best. I bought Back to Oakland back when I was 14 and been hooked ever since. I listen to everything but nothing amazes me more than TOP tight funky playing - best group of musicians on the planet. Back to Oakland album takes time to get used to but once you get it - heaven. Here is what I believe is the best live version of Knock yourself out - Chester Thompson is out of this world - his timing is just pure genius - the tension he builds is palpable - best of all he knows when NOT to overplay - choosing to keep the groove going much of the time with tasty licks here and there - not playing is the sign of a true genius as the space around the music is like the canvas in art - it can be used equally as part of the whole work. https://youtu.be/vamo6YOS-G0Note Santana is totally outclassed - he can’t begin to keep up with this group of musicians...Santana timing or groove feel is really awkward on this song - he just can’t seem to find the pocket! Of course Red Hot Chili Peppers deserves a mention especially their early stuff! Try early Red Hot Chili Peppers on your kids! And Huey Lewis and the News are awesome. Live at 25 (at Chico’s) is a great demonstration of their live performances. |
+1 Dirty Dozen brass band - one of my favourites! |
@fmpnd Thank you. You are not hijacking the thread. I asked for recommendations and you are delivering in spades with some history too. Perfect!
@chazro Thank you for the input! I will check it out.
@david_ten Thanks for the link.
@acman3 Thanks for your link too.
@shadorne I listened to the first three recommendations on your list. Tower of Power (I listened to the S/T album (with the terrific singer) with my boys--we all agree: that's a great album--I bought the CD on discogs); Strokeland Superband (first album: I listened to it with my wife. I learned the guy who put the concept together reunited Tower of Power and brought in some other folks too. At one point I said, "Man, that singer sounds just like Huey Lewis..." Of course, all the rest of you probably know--he actually sings on the album. I liked this album a lot. I bought the CD from the record label site.) Rastus--This one falls into the I can take it or leave it category: the album felt uneven to me. But, I'm glad I listened to it. I'm traveling so I can't tell y'all exactly the album. I will keep working through the recommendations everyone provides.
BTW IMO this is when Agon is at its best--opening the musical door for others.
I'm very grateful.
Regards
Al |
|
|
Love da Funk!!! An artist that's currently doin' it to it comes from New Orleans (of course!); Jon Cleary. All his records are solid but his last two; Occapella & Go Go Juice are real killas! Just downloaded the advance single from his upcoming record Dyna-mite...you ever hear a tune for the 1st time that immediately locks into a groove that puts a smile on yr face?
Warning; this ain't no bubble gum pop, they're truly great house party records, true 21st century Soul Music!;)
|
PSS. - first, I apologize to everyone on this thread if it looks like I am highjacking it as I am not wanting to. I am just such a huge TOP fan and so enamored with them even 50 years after first hearing them as a young teenager, and just found the clip I was looking for. I hope everyone will endure it and listen not just to how funky the band is but listen to Lenny Pickett’s solo - to me, his not not only the funkiest sax player on earth, it he is sick his range is so crazy and he circular breaths a note so high that when he ends the circular breath g he bites if off up in dog whist territory. asterwart8944 and everyone, sorry if I overplayed this but I thought people might reLly like this clip of the tightest band on the planet. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VylNyo_OOU8#fauxfullscreen |
PS - the funkier than all get out sax player in that clip of Tower of Power was Lenny Pickett who was only 19 years old at that time they recorded that album. He was just 17 when he joined Tower of Power and when they hit it big in 1971 and were playing stadiums in the early 70s. For the last 30 years or so he has been the leader of the Saturday Night Live Band. His range is not to be believed (has been since age 16) and he can play up in the stratosphere like no one I’ve heard. I think dogs coming running he gets up so high.
|
Astewart8944 Nice to see you taking an interest and interacting with your kids music and expanding both of your musical tastes. I love hearing new stuff. I too thought it was reminiscent of the Jackson Five and like your reference to the Brothers Johnson (Strawberry Letter 23 - still love that song). Shadorne has given you some great suggestions and he may be the only person I know who is close to me as far as being a funky horn band fan affocianado. First, you may want to introduce your kids to my all time favorite band and first on Shardone’s list, Tower of Power, BTW, flying to Oakland this weekend to see their 50th Anniversary show and it will be my 104th seeing them live. Have your kids listen to this: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=oakland+stroke&go=Search&qs=n&sp=-1&pq=oakland+...To add to Shadorne’s list: Five Alarm Funk Heavy Metal Horns Here Come The Mummies Jack Mack and the Heart Attack Phat Phunction Sante Fe and the Fat City Horns Trombone Shorty Sage Prime Time Funk Sons of Champlin Buddy Mile Boston Horns Mandrill Keep listening and keep sharing, Frank |
@thepigdog I respect that. Thanks for weighing in.
@frogman Thanks for the kind words.
@shadorne This list is terrific. I own every Snarky Puppy release (I think). Thank you for all the recommendations. I will be listening through it.
@grey9hound Thank you for your list too. And I'm right in your age bracket (54). I just bought the "Crazyhorse Mongoose" CD per @david_ten recommendation (BTW one son gave the Galactic track he heard a 7 out of 10--from a 17yr old this is pretty high praise. The other hasn't given it a listen yet.)
If anyone else has music recommendations, I highly encourage posting them. If someone recommends it, I will listen to it (at least once).
Regards
Al |
Crappy music I hope to never hear again. |
When it comes to Galactic ,some albums sound very "Rappish" and some do not . The ones that are Very Good IMO are We Love ’Em Tonight (Live at Tipitina’s) Ruckus Coolin’ Off Crazyhorse Mongoose Into The Deep Those and try doing a Pandora station with "The New Mastersounds" If you like FUNK, you will get some excellent funk doing that. Almost anything by "The New Mastersounds" is Excellent . The newest album by them is "Renewable Energy". It is Excellent. If you like Downbeat Stuff try : Nightmares on Wax - In a Space Outta Sound Or if you like Acid Jazz try some : Mushroom Jazz (8) (6) or (7) BTW I am 56 years old :) |
I have the Brothers Johnson original album bought when it came out. Love The Meters. Not sure what you will like as Vulfpeck is more pop (like Maroon Five) than funk but definitely rooted in funk and a fun listen.
If you haven’t heard these bands (see below) before then they all worth checking out (some are recent or still going and some disappeared the year after their only album release)....
Tower of Power
Strokeland Superband
Rastus
Lettuce
Cold Blood
Snarky Puppy
Cat Empire
Soulive
Mingo Fishtrap
Maceo Parker
Nils Landgren
Fred Wesley
Skull Snaps
Average White Band
Phat Phunktion
Rhinoceros
|
astewart, I like your attitude. I too think there is value in staying up to date on what the younger generation is listening to. Even if I don’t like the music (often) it puts it all in a better perspective for me, and I have discovered some things that I do like. |
Stanton Moore on drums.
I've been 100% streaming for quite some time now, so cannot help with CD selection. Maybe someone who knows the labels well, can direct you.
Glad you like it! |
@david_ten Do you have an opinion on which Galactic "Crazy Mongoose" CD is better? There is a Capricorn Records (1998), Volcano Records(1998), an Evangeline Recorded Works (HDCD) out of the UK(1998) and a Universal Int'l (HDCD) from Japan (2000). |
@david_ten +1 Galactic//"Crazy Mongoose" Very delightful! New to me: Who is that drummer?
I just sent the link to my boys.
Thank you
Al |
@astewart8944 Since you are reaching out to your sons, here is something from before their birth, that (in my opinion) remains current, especially since we are talking 'Funk.' This is a New Orleans group, another reason for sharing. : ) Galactic // 'Crazyhorse Mongoose' http://fogworld.com/galactic/chm.html |
@david_ten Thanks for commenting. I like the The Beautiful Game comment especially. I'm also really grateful for everyone who is weighing in. I'm trying to get our generation listening to and honestly commenting on the current generation's latest stuff. This helps my dialogue with my sons and also their friends. Believe it or not they really care about what our generation says about music. Generally speaking, they just don't think we will listen to it. I grew up in a house where my music needed to be kept low because my dad wasn't interested in hearing it. Now, I listen to almost anything--and I have found that saying that I like it or I don't (after listening to it) is the most important thing. Why I like it or don't, at least to me, is not the main point. BTW, I like Vulfpeck; I don't love them. I think the bass player is very good and will probably outlast this band. I also happen to like this Brothers Johnson number https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgsJLGQTfEE which Rolling Stone describes as a funk (R&B) band. After listening to more Vulfpeck, this is where I think they are trying to get, at least on some of their tracks--clearly not there yet IMO--and might not get there. |
