NYS Music 20​16

Category: World/Reggae

  • The Human Experience/Gone Gone Beyond Thrive at House Of Yes

    From his recent performance at House of Yes in Bushwick, David Block (The Human Experience) brought a night full of heartfelt, new music with his live endeavor, Gone Gone Beyond. The event opened with the artists asking all in attendance to momentarily pause, hold the hand of the person closest to you and have a moment of gratitude; this task was quite easy as House of Yes seems to engender a feeling thankfulness any time I find myself there.

    The combination of The Human Experience and House of Yes is essentially a no-brainer; a musical artist that combines ethereal, tribal sounds with heavy, grooving bass and an amazing venue that feels as if a Burning Man camp was transplanted to Bushwick makes for a wonderful experience. The name of the event was “The Vibe” which was quite fitting as there certainly was an understanding and sharing of similar emotional and musical platitudes amongst all in attendance.

    Opening with “Ain’t Giving up on Love” from their self-titled album Gone Gone Beyond, Danny Musengo’s gratifying vocals and Block’s melodic piano chords had the crowd swaying and singing along to the chorus. Horns were brought out for “Back Swing” whilst an aerialist performed on some silks in the middle of the venue and I felt like I was in a circus tent in New Orleans, certainly a sight to behold. Closing with “Carnival” was proper as it got the crowd moving, dancing, and smiling as an entire aerial performance was occurring above the band on stage invoking carnival vibes tenfold. Following Gone Gone Beyond, was David Block himself as The Human Experience. Block’s ethereal, world sound were in full effect as many patrons were moving intently with their eyes closed as if to truly feel the music. As mentioned, the blend of The Human Experience and House of Yes is like no other; Block’s celestial sounds with HOY’s vibe and performers is an unparalleled experience.

  • Rochester’s Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad Returning To Buffalo

    Since forming in 2001, Rochester’s  Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (GPGDS) has been a steady force in the reggae and jam scene. The five piece band includes James Searl on bass and vocals, Chris O’Brian on drums and vocals, Dylan Savage on guitar and vocals, Dan Keller on guitar and vocals and Tony Gallicchi on keys.

    GPGDS notes some of its musical influences as Burning Spear, Sublime, Phish and Bob Marley and the Wailers. The band has been playing at least 100 shows a year recently and have toured through many countries. They have played at music festivals like the Peach, All Good, Mountain Jam and Gathering Of The Vibes. Their current Where There’s Smoke Tour rolls into Buffalo this Saturday April 16 at the Tralf Music Hall.

    Their latest album was released May 15 last year. It has a heavy bluegrass and country influence and features G. Love and his harmonica on the track “Humbolt County Gold.” It’s a welcome change hearing the addition of a banjo on a few tracks. Bright Days goes a long way to show how far the band has come and breaks down any barriers labeling the band in just the jam or reggae genres.

    Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s unique sounds and melodies will surely have your feet moving from the first beat. If any of their previous performances at the Tralf Music Hall are evidence of what is to come on April 16, you are not going to want to miss this show. Doors at 8:00 P.M.  The show begins around 9:00 P.M.

    If unable to catch GPGDS in Buffalo, the band is taking part in the MOVE Music Festival in Albany April 23.

  • Thursdays at Funk n Waffles, Presented by NYS Music

    NYS Music is once again proud to host Thursday nights at Funk n Waffles in April. A stellar lineup of music is on tap across multiple genres.

    Thursday April 7 MISTER F and THE HEAVY PETS

    Formed in 2013 from members of Northeast regional acts Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, Mister F is an eclectic, high-energy 4-piece band that takes a no-holds-barred approach to blending genres while keeping your feet moving. The members of Mister F are no strangers to the music community.  Their first show on March 1, 2013 was so well-received that they’ve taken their show on the road to cities as far as Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA and are even performing with their previous bands at festivals such as Mountain Jam, Summer Camp, Camp Bisco, moe.down, and snoe.down.

    The Heavy Pets are an American rock band that blends rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, disco and reggae with rock & roll. Called “A living, breathing force of nature,” by Relix Magazine, the Pets are known for their soulful songcraft and powerhouse live performances. Riding high on the success of their most recent studio effort, Two Horses, look out for The Heavy Pets as they continue to hit the road hard.

    Thursday April 14 ROOT SHOCK and THE CORNERSTONE

    Formed in the winter of 2012 by regional veteran musicians, Root SHOCK blends roots reggae, dancehall, heavy drum & bass, and soulful vocals with conscious lyrics into positive dance music that will make you want to move!  Spearheaded by the stunning vocals of Jessica Brown, the band has been surprising and delighting crowds across the Central New York region and beyond with their unique high-energy style. Root SHOCK’s love of reggae music flows deep.  The band’s dedication to spreading music with a positive message has paid off in entertaining, elevating, and energizing music lovers of all walks of life in a wide range of settings!

    Root SHOCK will be anchoring a monthly Syracuse reggae night designed to bring the best and most diverse acts that modern reggae has to offer to the area. They’re not stopping there, though; Root SHOCK recording their first studio album and are set to hit the road to spread their uplifting message and vibes and take their renowned live performances to the masses!

    Fronted by lead singer, songwriter, rhythm guitarist Jackson Wetherbee, The Cornerstone is a Reggae, Rock, Funk band hailing from the South Shore of Boston, Massachusetts. The band also features musicians formerly of The Aldous Collins Band and Last Call, two New England Music Award winning bands. Their sound is similar to that of Spiritual Rez, UB40, The Police, Sublime and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They put on a fun, energetic show where crowds dance, groove, and sing along to their tunes.

    Thursday April 21 SPIRITUAL REZ and GRAYAK

    With their latest release, Apocalypse Whenever, Boston’s beloved reggae-rock funkateers Spiritual Rez deliver their most triumphant musical offering yet. Produced by lead singer Toft Willingham, co-produced by bassist Jesse Shaternick, and mastered by legendary engineer Howie Weinberg (Ramones, Beastie Boys, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers), the 14-track collection of infectious anthems is chock-full of rollicking guitar riffs, ocean-bathed melodies, swagger-centric basslines, crisp soaring horns, and ska-infused jam sections that have come to define Rez’s progressive signature sound. While their groove is primarily rooted in rock, reggae, and funk traditions, the septet draws stylistic influence from nearly every musical movement of the 20th century. Over the past nine years, Rez has tirelessly toured the country ten times over, cemented their status as a consistent festival favorite, and honed their exhilarating live show into an incomparable, unabashed musical extravaganza. They have shared the stage with artistic visionaries including Toots and the Maytals, Rubblebucket, Gogol Bordello, the Dirty Heads, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Jimmy Buffett, and Bernie Worrell. Evoking their personal power animals, they fearlessly forge into a bold new chapter of their epic musical journey and prepare to hit the road for a nationwide tour once more….

    Thursday April 28 JERRY JOSEPH AND THE JACKMORMONS

    Joseph is a prolific and accomplished songwriter who has written hits for Widespread Panic. He has released 30 albums in his more than 30 year career, not only as a solo artist, but also with the Jackmormons, supergroup Stockholm Syndrome, his burning two-piece The Denmark Veseys, and with his beloved 80s cult band, Little Women.  Playing over 150 shows around the globe a year, Joseph is a relentless live performer.  He has toured with Vic Chesnutt, Chris Whitley and Walter Salas-Humara, just to name a few. Not only has he toured Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast with the Jackmormons, but also solo through Nicaragua, Mexico, south-east Asia, Israel, Nepal, Lebanon, and the bulk of Europe.  Most recently he volunteered as a rock school music teacher in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the years, Joseph and his Jackmormons have shown a penchant for picking a spot on a map, taking over a town, and putting on a festival. Last year, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons released a live concert DVD, Nicaragua, recorded over three nights just outside of Rivas, Nicaragua. Joseph was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in October 2015. He will be touring in Mexico, Australia and New Zealand this Winter and Spring in addition to the States. Check the Jackmormons’ web site for tour dates.

  • Wyclef Jean Takes on the Brooklyn Bowl, NY

    Grammy winning artist Wyclef Jean brought the house down Tuesday night during his second performance at the Brooklyn Bowl.  His DJ bumped the beats as Wyclef freestyled his way onto the stage mic in hand rhyming about Brooklyn, Haiti, politics and music…and even gave a shout out to the girl with the camera in the front row (that would be me!)  He wowed the crowd with eccentric dance moves, multiple costume changes, instrument maneuvers, and guitar rifts with his teeth.

    wyclef jean brooklyn bowlThe Bowl was energized from the moment Wyclef set foot on the stage. Cell phone cameras were in the air the entire night and fans were dancing in the bowling lanes as he weaved his way through tracks like “911” and “Hips Don’t Lie.”  During his new single “My Girl” with Sasha Mari, over 100 multi-colored flashing foam glow sticks were thrown into the crowd and fans from the front row were pulled onto the stage to dance with Clef and his backup dancers from Studio L Dance Co.  A fan favorite, “Killing Me Softly” was performed by Canadian jazz, pop, and soul singer Nikki Yanofsky, whose big voice filled the room over the sound of the crowd belting out of the lyrics with her.  Another special moment of the evening came when Wyclef welcomed his sister Melky onto the stage to perform a super soulful version of Leela James’ song “A Change is Gonna Come.”

    wyclef jean brooklyn bowlIt is evident why the Brooklyn Bowl added a second Wyclef show to their schedule.  He is a passionate performer who lights up a room with his talents.  He remains relevant to his fans and is always looking for the next big thing.  Be sure to keep your eyes out for his new album Carnival III which is expected to release mid-September.

  • Bearsville Theater Announces Spring Schedule

    It’s no surprise that the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock released an exciting schedule for the spring.

    This unique venue draws a variety of world-class artists throughout the year. This April and May will feature familiar names from several genres including folk, jam bands, reggae, funk and DJ sets.

    Bearsville Theater sits in a wooded area about one minute outside of Woodstock. Guests can enjoy the Bear Café next door while checking out the Sawkill Creek. Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST FM also shares the property. Fans of the venue return time and again for both the music and the incredible atmosphere.

    Next week features rising stars Pink Talking Fish on April 7 followed by a funky treat a few days later on April 10: Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett of Little Feat with special guest the New Orleans Suspects featuring members of Neville Bros., Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Radiators, James Brown and the Meter Men.

    Grateful Dead fans can get their fix on April 15 with the Garcia Project and April 16 with Skeleton Keys featuring Todd Stoops of RAQ (formerly Kung Fu) and Alex Mazur of Gratefully Yours.

    Folk group Elephant Revival from Colorado will play on April 30 and rising jam band stars Formula 5 take the stage on May 13.

    A full schedule is available below. Please visit www.bearsvilletheater.com for details and tickets.

    April 1 – The Mountain Goats

    April 7 – Pink Talking Fish

    April 10 – Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett of Little Feat with special guest the New Orleans Suspects featuring members of Neville Bros., Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Radiators, James Brown, and The Meter Men

    April 15 – The Garcia Project

    April 16 – Skeleton Keys with Todd Stoops (Kung Fu) & Alex Mazur (Gratefully Yours)

    April 23 – Ladies Night with DJ Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite and DJ Lady Verse

    April 30 – Elephant Revival

    May 6 –  Feast of Friends (Doors Tribute)

    May 7 – Tangoman & The Latin All Star World Beat Dance Band

    May 13 –  Formula 5 with Hayley Jane and Justin Hancock of Hayley Jane and the Primates

    May 14 – Gary Nest Pine (former lead singer of The Wailers) & The Big Takeover

  • Big Mean Sound Machine Shakes B-Side Ballroom

    On March 11, Big Mean Sound Machine blew multiple minds away on a groovy Friday night at B-Side Ballroom in Oneonta, NY. A collection of nine talented souls graced the little nook of a stage that night, and gave it their all. It was evident that this group loves what they do, and are extremely cheerful about it. Throughout the night, they brought funkadelic afro-dance madness, with hints of worldly, succulent, jammy beats full of jazz and wonder. It can really get the best of someone in the best possible way, and I know it got the best of me.

    big mean sound machine B-Side BallroomHaving been the first time seeing Big Mean perform, my breath journeyed its way up through my esophagus and exited only to create electrical gasps. Smiles filled the air as each musical build up was brought to the attention of the B-Side audience; it was impossible to look away. It channeled energies and was not only mesmerizing, but jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.

    To put the night into perspective, envision a tiny stage within a restaurant/bar, packed with assorted instruments and intense skill. Everyone was hanging out at first, but the next thing you know, the floor was filled with dedicated dancers who yearned to experience the largest and meanest sounds that this machine created. ‘Twas a machine indeed, and it lit up the floor and crowd, as if fanciful fireworks were exploding into thin air.

    The show commenced, and the performers wooed the audience with a song called “Whoa Gosh,” one of many various fresh tracks from Big Mean’s most recent album, Contraband (2014). The Ithaca, NY, band has the power to gather the vibes that instruments generate and transform sound waves into jiggy, psychedelic beauty. With their unique sense of musical style, Big Mean raises the bar with their originality and feel-good atmosphere.

    Angelo Peters rocked out on the bass, whileto his right Bobby Spellman owned the trumpet. Andrew Klein beat the drums to death, as Lucas Ashby brought the congas to life. Dan Barker and Ray McNamara created rhythm and movement with every jam from their guitars. Rob Tate hit up the audience with some electric rhythms, as Tyler Burchfield soothed souls with his baritone saxophone and Alicia Aubin danced the night away with her trombone.

    big mean sound machine B-Side BallroomThe fans handled every sound the band threw at them; the rhythms made each soul move and each body shake that night, bringing a sense of euphoria and enlightenment. Throughout the show, Big Mean rocked the stage with even more hits from their newest album, some of which included “In the Name of What,” “Contraband,” “Sweet Tooth” and “Wolfpack.” They also threw in “Marauders,” a classic from 2012, that brought a different sense of style and flair to the set.

    Big Mean Sound Machine is more than just a group; they are a beautiful arrangement and outstanding collective that brings life to every stage they perform on. Their jiggy style makes you want to move all night and it will resonate with you, as it is quite contagious my friends.

    big mean sound machine B-Side Ballroom

  • Rock n Roll Resort Releases Schedule, Announces Artists at Large

    Rock n Roll Resort v6 “Low Key” has released their schedule for this weekend’s festivities and with hardly any overlapping sets, there’s no excuse to not get down with your friends this weekend in the Catskills!

    On Friday night, things get started in the Acoustic Lounge with some Phish via Uncle Ebenezer, along with Cousin Earth’s funky earth sounds, and Outer Style. The Empire Lounge heats up with Fat Bradley in the Empire Lounge and some funk shortly after via Formula 5. Hayley Jane and the Primates kick off the night in the Manhattan Theatre, followed by the first of three Max Creek sets this weekend. The music doesn’t stop until dawn with Roxy Roca, Teddy Midnight and Funkadelic Astronaut stretchin the night until day.

    Saturday has music starting at 11am for the early risers! Don’t miss Goose, Black Mountain Symphony and Mister F as they start your day off right. New England favorites The Kind Buds start their set promptly at 4:20, right before Master of Ceremonies Honeycomb demonstrates some of the best beatboxing in the Northeast. Two more sets of Max Creek and a pair from West End Blend span the night in the Theater, while Clevland’s Broccoli Samuari hits the Lounge at 10pm, followed by Chromatropic and Space Bacon. Don’t miss psychedelic duo The Balkun Brothers or The Other Brothers (no relation), the latter hailing from nearby New Paltz and ready to fill your ears with soul.

    Artists at Large include members of Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, Danny “Soul Train” Meyer and Mary Corso.  Danny is a founding member of On The Spot Trio, and is currently with Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan & formerly of Alan Evans’ Playonbrother (2012-2015). Mary Corso, the lead vocalist for Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan & founding member of her own band Broca’s Area. Mary and Danny have recently worked together in a new project called Danny Mayer Trio featuring members of Turkuaz & Nth Power.

  • Hearing Aide: Record New Highs Debut EP

    RNH EP Front CoverIn the years 1998 and 2003 a collaboration of musicians assembled to record 3 songs.  Lead by David “Solid” Gould, formerly of John Brown’s Body, Record New Highs features artists such as Brian Wilson (Anna Koogan, Johnny Dowd), Nate “Silas” Richardson (10 Ft Ganja Plant, Black Castle, Sim Redmond Band), Mark Berney (Itzhak Perlman, formerly of the Skatalites), Jhakeem Haltom (Thousands of One), and Craig Akira Fujita (Pressure Cooker, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant).

    The EP’s 3 songs, “Unity,” “Duva Duva,” and “Rebirth” are explored inside and out; they are first displayed in their original form and then represented with slight variation with either a dub style or with a DJ to give a subtly different tone.  When these songs were created and recorded Gould didn’t feel that it was the right time to bring them to bear.  Instead, he waited 13 years to finally give the public a taste of his and Record New Highs’ eclectic and jazzy ambient tones.  According to the collaborative’s website, Gould had “been patiently waiting for the right time to release this debut EP.”  He decided that in January the time had finally come. Keep an ear out for more innovative sounds from Record New Highs, as there are plans of fresh releases in the near future featuring the melodic and percussive sounds of the West African inspired tongue drum.

    This EP is available on Bandcamp to listen to and purchase, and is available for streaming on Spotify.  To get a taste of these “new” eclectic recordings check out both “Unity” and “Unity DJ Style” below.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2k7gJi7VM[/embedyt]

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzSDOxxjTqI[/embedyt]

  • Craic Is Had By All at The Wescott Theater with Enter The Haggis

    The Irish word “craic” refers to fun, music, and enjoyment. It is always great “craic” for all when Enter the Haggis plays the Westcott Theater, as they did this past weekend.

    Two Hour Delay opened to a near empty venue prior to the main act, Enter the Haggis. As the audience began arriving, those present were unfortunately not truly engaged in the original music of this band. One song with its Jerry Garcia folksy feel, although really good, wasn’t enough to demand the full attention of the crowd.  As the night progressed, and the crowd filled, it was the last song with Brian Buchanan, that definitely roused the attention of the otherwise distracted audience.  It was a shame, but this band’s musical style was clearly not matched with the proper audience and unfortunately was lost in translation. Seeing this often, it reaffirms the importance of venues when booking acts to pair opening acts to the main act.  This not only readies the crowd for the headliner, but also introduces them to another band in the same genre.

    craic enter the haggisThe Westcott is the perfect venue to showcase the relationship of Enter The Haggis shares with their fans. Concert goers get the sense that they are family and friends as band members Brian Buchanan, Craig Downie, Trevor Lewington, Mark Abraham and Bruce McCarthy take to the stage to play for their loyal following. Changing their name from Enter The Haggis to Jubilee Riots, back to Enter The Haggis, their fans didn’t skip a beat but instead skipped all the way to the next venue they were playing.  Their fans truly have a love affair with them and honestly could care less of their name.  Well, except for those die hard fans that already had the Enter The Haggis tattoos.

    craic enter the haggisThe band opened with the lyrical and soulful “Aerials” which incorporated the vocals, guitars, bagpipes and fiddle of this cohesive group of entertainers. They continued with fan favorites including “Lanigans Ball”. At this point, everyone in the theatre was dancing. “Gasoline” was also a crowd favorite featuring Brian Buchanan on the fiddle and vocals. The audience joined him in an enthusiastic sing along. “C Section” featured multi-talented Craig Downie on the bagpipes. “One Last Drink” featured Trevor Lewington on the guitar and vocals. A concert attendee yelled “We love you, Trevor!” and he responded “I love you too, man!”

    craic enter the haggisBecause the band is just a whole bunch of great guys, the entire audience was invited to the Enter the Haggis concert on Saint Patrick’s Day in Portland, Maine, and they would be remiss to not take a selfie of the evening for of those nearest and dearest to them to commemorate the evening, telling them “We are going to tag everyone in this room!”

    The show was a continuous hour of strong vocals and an entertaining performance that incorporated many different instruments. The band returned for an encore of three more songs including one of their new songs, “Rose of Tyrone”. Enter the Haggis tells us they have written seven new songs, they will be recording and making the videos for in the weeks to come.

    craic enter the haggisAll in all, good times “craic” was had by the audience which was a mix of devoted fans and those that were experiencing the band for the first time. This renowned Celtic rock band does not disappoint, and anyone who has the opportunity to experience their unique style of music should definitely attend a concert.

  • Funktional Flow Showcases ‘Time Will Tell’

    Buffalo fusion jam rockers Funktional Flow played to a packed house at Buffalo Iron Works in honor of their latest release Time Will Tell. The Roaring Twenties-themed evening saw fans dressed to the nines and enjoying the growing attitude of Funktional Flow’s sound.

    Flow CD RELEASE -7

    The opening band, Buffalo-based trio AjamajA, showcased extreme depth, especially for a three-piece. Guitarist Jason Staniszewski played with a distinct sound and mastered skill set.  Funktional Flow guitarist Jeffrey Kuebler briefly sat in with the band to help close out AjamajA’s set.

    Funktional Flow continues to impress.  They look and sound like a band ready to expand. And if given the right opportunities this summer, Funktional Flow could begin to make a name for themselves outside of the Buffalo music scene.

    The evening showcased several sit-ins, and well placed horns added another dimension to Flow’s sound.  There’s a growing showmanship to their stage presence, too. Ryan Acanfora sat in for the entire evening, giving a new element to percussion. These new elements created a more dimensional, layered sound, perhaps a reflection on their time together in the studio. And those simple elements, if only added for the evening, showed a band looking how to expand their studio sound to their live performance.

    Flow CD RELEASE -10

    The band’s first set weaved several new songs with some of the band’s more classic tunes. Crowd favorites like “Leaving Town” and “Mulligans” saw positive growth with the evening’s added elements.  The band selected clever covers for the night including songs by the Beatles, the Clash and A-ha.

    The night’s second set paid tribute to the band’s new album, as Time Will Tell was played in its entirety.  The album’s first single, “Back Door,” continues to impress; the crowd buzzed that the tune is felt to be this album’s showpiece by many fans. Other second set favorites included “New Haven” and “Moving On.”

    Watching Flow on stage, dressed in vintage attire, there was a glimpse of a bigger picture to their expanding and growing sound. Mixed among the funk-reggae-rock fusion, hints of swing and ragtime tributes shyly appeared. It’s a style that is most prominent in key-heavy tunes like “Back Door.”  If Flow could capitalize on this evolving sound, they could find that they have a unique and fresh perspective to their songwriting and performance. These sounds, when they appear in Funktional Flow’s music, present some of the band’s brightest moments.

    Although the band is looking to expand throughout the Northeast, Funktional Flow’s current show schedule has them staying close to home. They will hit up the King’s Rook Club in Erie, PA, on March 11.

    Set One: Dumber > Funk D, Walking Blind, Untitled, Leaving Town^ > Ambush, Shape, Baby, You’re a Rich Man*, Moonlight Tide#, Mulligans^, Rock the Cashbah**%,

    Set Two: Back door, Trouble^, Time Will Tell^, Gone, On the way, Let Me In, New Haven, Strong Feeling^,  Dreidel, Moving On, Ben’s Beach^, Take On Me***^

    ^ Horns – Matt Harris (sax), Joe Cheslak (trombone), Pat Allison (trumpet)
    *The Beatles
    **The Clash
    ***A-Ha (Reel Big Fish version)
    # Jason Staniszewski (AjamajA)
    % Jeff Lewis (vocals and harmonica)
    Ryan Acanfora (percussion)

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