Category: Funk/Soul/R&B

Lettuce Blaze Buffalo Native Rick James’ ‘Mary Jane’ At Town Ballroom

Lettuce blazed back to Buffalo during their Fall run of their 2021 Bring Back The Love Tour. This past July they crushed Lake George and Western New York’s Art Park. The group played the fully renovated historic Buffalo Town Ballroom on Main Street. The three floor club is an infamous hometown venue to funk artists Rick James and Soulive.

Lettuce founding member Sam Kininger joined for one just gig this summer at the Lake George Adirondack stage. This fall, he has been on tour with Lettuce for every club date and has helped fill out a three-piece brass section with Benny Bloom and Ryan Zoidis. Like Drummer Adam Deitch told NYS music, “Sam’s the godfather of Lettuce”

The November 11 performance went from 8:15 till 10:15 with Lettuce crushing all the way through without leaving the stage for the encore. The current Lettuce hybrid batch is also made up of Erick “Jesus” Coombs on bass, Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff on guitar and Nigel Hall on keyboards and vocals.

They treated the Buffalo audience to “Break Out” from their infamous 2004 Live in Tokyo Album. Legendary artist Steve Gadd told NYS music the secret to any live gig. “When you get it musically to a level where everyone on the bandstand is having fun and can hear each other and you can trust the audience is hearing it the way you are, it gets to a spiritual level. In Japan or wherever you are. That’s the goal.”

The spirit of Buffalo legend Rick James could be felt in the house on Wednesday. To pay homage to the city of Buffalo’s funk artist, Lettuce burnt “Mary Jane” from his debut album Come Get It. Like Buffalo native Alan Evans told NYS Music about James’ music, “Its hard to choose…Bustin out of L Seven on vinyl, you kinda can’t go wrong with. That’s a dope record.”

Come catch Lettuce bust out more funk on the road in America with dates leading up to a New Years Eve show at Miami’s North Beach Band Shell. The first week of the new year Lettuce Drummer Adam Deitch will join DJ Logic & a world-class line-up of Friends including Karl Denson on saxophone and MonoNeon on bass at New York’s Blue Note. Lettuce kicks off 2022 with a European tour starting 2/22 for two months.

Lettuce – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY, November 11, 2021

Setlist: Purple Highness, Dump, Breakout, Suppit, Mary Jane, Sly>Silence is Golden-> Mr Yancey, Central Nyack, Pep n Step, Move on Up, Don’t Change for Me

November 16, 2021
Blue Note Jazz Club Announces DJ Logic & Friends January Run

New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club announces the return of DJ Logic, the first DJ to ever headline the historic venue back in 2003. From January 6-9, DJ Logic & Friends is set to perform two shows a night at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm ET.

Special guests have just been announced for January 8 – Fred Wesley & Marcus Machado – and January 9 – Angie Swan From David Byrne’s American Utopia. Read Relix’s review of the first night of the run.

DJ Logic will be joined by a world-class line-up of Friends including Karl Denson on saxophone, MonoNeon on bass and Adam Deitch on drums. One of the world’s most accomplished musicians, DJ Logic is known for using turntables in a live band setting, guiding listeners through groove-laden journeys rooted in jazz, hip-hop and electronic sounds. The Bronx-born musician frequently works with a phenomenal roster of invited guests, and he knows how to pick his collaborators as well as his samples. DJ Logic’s Blue Note headline shows are always highly anticipated and his 2022 run promises a joyful start to the new year.

“It’s going to be an electric ray of music with some amazing eclectic players, exploring funk, grooves, and patterns,”DJ Logic states. “This group of insanely talented, important and virtuosic artists is a dream team of funk,” says Alex Kurland, Director of Programming at Blue Note. “Independently, each artist has a deep history and roots at Blue Note. As one collective joining forces under the direction of the great and powerful DJ Logic, these guys are musical acrobats. The project is truly next level and bound to funk up audiences. Fasten your seatbelt!”

The theorem of turntablist as musician has been long proven in the capable hands of DJ Logic, whom with jazz as his foundation has become a wax innovator by crossing genres and mixing his sound across the map. As one of the world’s most accomplished turntablists, DJ Logic is widely credited for introducing jazz into the hip–hop realms and is considered by most as a highly-respected session musician and an innovative bandleader. Since his emergence in the early nineties amidst the Bronx hip-hop scene, the New York City based deejay has been amassing a veritable mountain of collaborations, including a full-fledged band with members of Blues Traveler (The John Popper Project ft. DJ Logic), a trio with Steve Molitz & Freekbass (Headtronics), a jazz project with Georgian prodigy Beka Gochiasvili, and as a member of Grammy-winning Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s The Offense of the Drum album. He also has a long list of other collaborations with artists ranging from the likes of Bob Weir, John Mayer, Medeski Martin and Wood, Christian McBride, O.A.R., Carly Simon, Marcus Miller, Jack Johnson, Vernon Reid, Warren Haynes, Charlie Hunter, Jack DeJohnette, Ben Harper, Mos Def, The Roots, Bernie Worrell, Bill Laswell, Melvin Gibbs, Fred Wesley, Sean Kuti and many more.

Since 1981, Blue Note Jazz Club has been a cultural institution in New York City and one of the premiere jazz clubs in the world. Blue Note strives to preserve the history of jazz, and the club is a place where progression and innovation – the foundations of jazz – are encouraged and practiced on a nightly basis. In addition to the main acts that feature the likes of Robert Glasper, Pat Metheny, Christain McBride, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter and Chris Botti, Blue Note regularly showcases up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B and funk artists. After 40 years of success, Blue Note continues to carry the torch for jazz into the 21st century in the cultural heart of New York, Greenwich Village.

Tickets for the shows can be purchased at https://www.bluenotejazz.com

November 15, 2021
Kate Gratson Uses her Unique Background to Create “The Girl You Knew”

Like many of us, Kate Gratson used the pandemic to channel her inner-self. Consequently, her latest album, The Girl You Knew, does most of her speaking for her. Gratson’s process of self-reflection is something that her fans are all too familiar with and on this latest project, she found a way to perfectly encapture all the intimate feelings we’re afraid to share out loud. A veteran of writing on self-actualization and acceptance, it’s apparent that the she has developed an even deeper understanding of herself and lets it all out in her music.

While growing as a person and artist, Gratson has gotten a hold creatively as well, revealing a new sense of control.

Musically and lyrically, “Watch and Wonder,” is all about tension and release, and my main goal was to highlight this when creating the music video. “Watch and Wonder” is my second music video with Isaac Rosenthal on cinematography, and Grant Sorth on editing, but it is the first time I had a distinct, artistic vision in mind
Kate Granson

When listening to Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, producer and cellist, it isn’t always apparent that she has a firm foundation in both jazz and classical techniques. Her knowledge of both genres almost silently seeps into her music layered with R&B, folk/indie and electronic elements. Combining both contemporary and aged sounds, she often find herself almost painting a picture of timelessness. Her various identities, paired with the layering of samples, mixed with velvety vocals, gritty drums and melodic synths are surely to catapult her career.

Following her formal music education, Gratson would go on to receive a BM in music composition and vocal performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia. It was during this time that her sound and voice as an artist began to take shape. She then returned to New York City to focus on refining her distinctly eclectic feel, attempting to harness the layers that made up her voice. Later returning to her initial mentors, as she began to write and hone her craft, while steadily releasing singles.

At last, she released her debut album, The Girl You Knew. With a growing fanbase and unique sound, it might not be long before Kate Gratson once again becomes the girl we once knew.

November 14, 2021
Brother Maker Marks New Beginnings with Deltaphonic and Dodongo at Brooklyn Bowl
As New York Marathoners raced down Bedford Avenue, runners may have heard the buzz stirring at Brooklyn Bowl a few blocks away. Just days after shocking news that eight out of ten Turkuaz members departed the band, five of them took to the familiar stage in Williamsburg as Brother Maker.

Dodongo

Bowlers packed the edges of an excited crowd as NYC-based band Dodongo took to the stage. The six-piece funk/rock band launched into their five song, hour-long set with two debuts, including a twangy, “Change My Mind,” and a progressive-rock, “Sweet Biter.” Dodongo’s third song was a shoutout to the venue as guitarist Dean Hicks joked that the owners had forced the band (to their dismay) to perform the funk song, “Brooklyn Bowl Theme.” To finish out the set, Dodongo brought the funky crowd favorite, “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” sandwiched between high-energy jams in their song, “Chase Sequence.”

Dodongo Setlist: Change My Mind*, Sweet Biter*, Brooklyn Bowl Theme*, Chase Sequence -> Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley *% -> Chase Sequence

* debut
% cover, Robert Palmer

Craig Brodhead of Brother Maker with special guest Brittany Beckett

Hailing from New Orleans, Deltaphonic’s return to Brooklyn Bowl two years since their first performance there marks a notable transformation for the group. During the pandemic, Deltaphonic grew from a three piece band to five piece with the addition of Elmo Price on bass and Logan Sellers, which has given the band a more versatile and classic sound, and allowed them to blend more genres and styles. Deltaphonic’s set at Brooklyn Bowl showcased a mix of some of their best new and old material with special focus on some of their newer, unreleased soul songs including, “Angels,” and, “Casablanca.” Deltaphonic hopes to return to NYC in the spring of 2022 to promote their upcoming full album.

Brother Maker, an amalgamation of now-former Turkuaz members, including Craig Brodhead (guitar), Michelangelo Carubba (drums), Chris Brouwers (trumpet, keys), Greg Sanderson (tenor sax), and Taylor Shell (bass), made their debut. As Brodhead noted, with Shell taking a break in San Francisco, West End Blend’s Paulie Phillipone (keyboards, synth bass) filled in for Taylor.

Brooklyn debut of Brother Maker this Sunday at @brooklynbowl joining Deltaphonic and Dodongo. Taylor Shell – our brother – is home in SF getting much needed rest. He IS the bass player of the band, but in the meantime, our homie Paulie Philippone from West End Blend is gonna party with us on stage at the bowl. We will also be featuring some other fantastic special guests. Never miss a Sunday show!
Craig Brodhead, Facebook post

Brother Maker hit the stage with a bluesy funk sound that had the crowd immediately dancing. They played a set full of jazzy funk and psychedelic interludes, playing an instrumental mix of originals and covers before inviting Brittany Beckett on stage to sing Black Sabbath’s, “Sweet Leaf.”

To close out the show, Brother Maker invited Sammi Garett (vocals, also formerly of Turkuaz) and Paul Provesty (guitar, Deltaphonic) on stage to rock the house with a cover of “Magic Man,” by Heart.
November 12, 2021
Main Street Music Series Is Back at Rose Hall in Cortland
Here we are, returning back to normal. The Main Street Music Series is back in person returning to Rose Hall this month and December. Catch them with a series of four Friday night concerts with audiences, with the next show on November 19 featuring Rochester’s Dirty Blanket, James Vandeuson and the Rollin’ Rust, and Roger Decker.

Main Street Series is committed to enriching Cortland’s culture and showing a good time in Downtown. American Vintage Productions returns as the production company, providing sound, live streaming and promotional services for the series.

We’re excited to return to live audience performances after being virtual only last year. This year our concert format will return to normal with three bands at each concert. The openers will perform in Studio AV on the first floor at Rose Hall and the headlining band will be in the concert hall upstairs.
Chris Merkley, MSMS Board President

Rose Hall doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Donations to support the series can be made at the door or online. Not to worry for those wishing to watch from home, the concerts will also be streamed through the AV Live Network.

The remaining concerts in the Main Street Music Series include:
- Nov. 19 – Featuring Dirty Blanket with James VanDeuson & The Rollin’ Rust and Roger Decker
- Dec. 3 – Featuring The Unknown Woodsmen with Bug Tussle and Dana Twigg
- Dec. 17 – Featuring Sophistafunk with People People and Gary Carpentier
November 12, 2021
8 Turkuaz Members Departing Group

8 members of Turkuaz have announced their “difficult decision” to leave the band. The Brooklyn funk group shared the announcement via their social media. Just days ago they released a new single “Shakin In My Sheets,” ahead of upcoming Fall Tour dates.

Greg Sanderson and Chris Brouwers perform at Resonance Festival in West Virginia. Photo by Em Walis.

In a jointly signed message addressed to “fans, family, and friends,” nearly the entire band announced their departure after over a decade. Craig Brodhead, Chris Brouwers, Michael Carubba, Shira Elias, Sammi Garett, Greg Sanderson, Josh Schwartz, and Zach Fichter all left. Only frontman/guitarist Dave Brandwein and bassist Taylor Shell did not sign the message. Sound engineer Zach Fichter is also departing. The band formed at Berklee College of Music in 2008, eventually moving to New York City together to pursue music.

pic.twitter.com/mGwAy1hpcz
— Turkuaz (@Turkuaz) November 2, 2021

“We have spent the last several years traveling the world together with the intention of spreading love and joy through our music,” the statement read. “During that time, we have grown together as a family, and we’ve learned how to love and support each other through the best and worst of times.”

The statement also thanked fans for their dedication and support. “We are eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to perform for all of you, and even more grateful to have become close friends with so many of you along the way,” it read.

Dave Brandwein shared this statement as well:

Dave here:
With a heavy heart, we regret to say that the future of Turkuaz is uncertain. Today’s news is probably a shock to many of you. And unfortunately, this means any upcoming Turkuaz dates will not be happening as planned.
Taylor and I respect the decision of our former bandmates to pursue their individual artistic endeavors.
We love and appreciate all of our fans so much. Because of the positive moments, we enjoyed many years on the road playing the music we love to our fans across the country, and even globally.
This is not the end of our artistic journeys. There is more to come. In the meantime, thank you for your support and the respect of our privacy as we navigate this new phase of our lives.

The reasoning behind the decision remains unclear, and the departing members requested their privacy be respected in this matter. However, their fall has been turbulent. Though last week Turkuaz performed two dates at NYC’s Webster Hall, they canceled much of their fall tour earlier this month, citing health and safety risks.

In response to the announcement, fans expressed sadness, especially over the cancellation of the remaining fall tour dates. The Brooklyn Bowl’s Instagram account wished them the best, commenting “Thank you for so many great nights.”

Turkuaz at the Brooklyn Bowl in 2016. Photo by Thomas McKenna

Though Turkuaz as we knew it may be over, the departing members said they are each hard at work on their own projects.

“There are some truly amazing things to come,” the message concluded. “We love you and thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”

November 2, 2021
Hearing Aide: ”Right Now” and “Psycho Summer” by Hunter Blair Ambrose

New-York based pop & alt R&B singer Hunter Blair Ambrose has shared two new singles ahead of her upcoming album Scorpio Season. After graduating from Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 2019, Ambrose released her debut EP, Scorpio Rising, in April 2020. Luxuriating in the melancholy approach of “cuffing season,” the latest singles “Right Now” and “Psycho Summer” fit the chilly moment perfectly.

Right Now

“Right Now,” released on October 22, 2021 is a true dance banger. The luxe percussion on “Right Now” may overpower another artist, but Ambrose’s powerful soul vocals anchor the music. Though at times the production on the vocals dims their shine, Ambrose’s raw vocal talent is clear. One can’t help but wonder how she’d sound on a less synthy track.

The lyrics find Ambrose looking for love; or maybe just a good time? Either way, she just wants to spend the present moment with her lover, no matter what tomorrow may look like. She sings: “Right now it’s just you and me/ No other place I’d rather be/ Maybe it’s not meant to be/ Hard to care with your hands on me.” Though the rhyme scheme begs for some variety, Ambrose’s emotion comes through. After all, sometimes love and lust take the words right out of your mouth.

Psycho Summer

Ambrose sounds uncannily like The-Fame-Monster-era Lady Gaga on “Psycho Summer,” the standout of the two tracks. Gaga is a clear inspiration to Ambrose; on her track “November,” she even repurposed the hummed hook from Gaga’s 2010 single “Alejandro.”

Released on October 29, 2021, “Psycho Summer” could be the next chapter in the heady, lustful love story of “Right Now.” Now that summer’s over and her lover has disappeared, Ambrose feels crazy; was the passion they shared even real? A sparer, more streamlined beat allows her voice to stand out, and the eerie production evokes the end of summer perfectly.

With mainstream pop music growing more experimental each day, it can be hard for a more traditional track to gain traction. However, Ambrose’s tracks paired together reflect an emotional candor in her work that draws you in. She’s no stranger to lust, and no stranger to loneliness; the duality bridges the songs perfectly. Listeners can only hope her upcoming album, slated for release on November 5, 2021 will further dive into bad romance; if anything, she’d make Gaga proud.

Listen to “Right Now” and “Psycho Summer” below.

November 2, 2021
Frazey Ford Soothes The Soul at Baby’s All Right
Canadian singer-songwriter Frazey Ford brought her calming presence to a sold-out crowd at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on Oct. 28, 2021.

The folk-soul artist beautifully belted hits such as “One More Cup of Coffee” and “Blue Streak Mama” to the gleeful audience. While most of her setlist was relaxing and down-tempo, Ford made sure to intersperse some higher-tempo songs such as “Done” and “September Fields” to get the audience dancing.

In between songs, the mother of two shared stories, engaging with the crowd and making the performance even more intimate. Sharing her experiences from performing in L.A. the day prior and speaking on the cultural differences between Los Angeles and New York City. Most notably, she went on to divulge some information about her “hippie” parents, who named her Frazey Ford and allowed her brothers to choose her middle name. As she laughed off the memories, she continued, revealing that her brothers decided on the name Obadiah, who was their pet cat that had recently run away.

You can listen to Frazey Ford’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Check out Ana Medvedeva’s photo recap below.
October 31, 2021
Dumpstaphunk Grooves Brooklyn Bowl ahead of Madison Square Garden Debut

Dumpstaphunk last performed in the Empire State at the 2019 New York State Blues festival in downtown Syracuse. Later that evening, band members Tony Hall and Deven Trusclair kept the groove going at the Funk n Waffles club for a sit in on “Standing on Shaky Ground” by the Temptations that Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel co wrote. A month later they opened for the Rolling Stones to 40,000 people in their hometown at the New Orleans Superdome.

Dumpstaphunk kicked off 2021 by releasing their first record in seven years, Where Do We Go From Here, which was just nominated in four Grammy categories. The band has been on the road promoting its sound this summer leading them up to a Labor Day Weekend of shows with Dave Matthews Band at Heavens Amphitheatre, The Gorge. All members of Dumpstaphunk sat in with DMB for Sly Stone’s “Thank You (Falletinme be mice elf again) and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” to close the night.

Tony Hall sat in with the DMB as part of an alternate format the entire weekend on bass and vocals as well. He was reunited with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds on stage for the first time since their infamous Some Devil Tour in 2003. Dumpstaphunk will also be joining Dave Matthews Band at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, on November 12 and 13.

Dumpstaphunk @ Brooklyn Bowl, Photo by Russell Mangicaro III

All of this momentum could be felt on stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, October 23. Rotem Sivan Band opened the show as Dumpstaphunk hit the stage at 9:45 p.m., crushing their entire set for the Williamsburg crowd. Brooklyn Bowl founder, Peter Shapiro, appeared behind the curtain dressed as a pilot while the band took off on stage. Shapiro gave them a quick fist bump of delight after their tune “Itchy Boo.”

Come on lets get at it Brooklyn! Get up, Get down, Keep it stepping, keep it moving. Every band member was fully engaged with the Brooklyn Bowl crowd the whole set. Tim Reynolds told
You know those guys when your playing a gig, he’ll look right at you? That’s him. He’ s a bad ass.

Tony Hall, Photo by Russell Mangicaro III

Everyone was dancing to the truth that this band lets out. Lucky nobody slipped onstage due to the greasy lane funk levels. Sly Stone’s words carry on through their take on his cut “In Time.” Well, well, there’s a feelin’, oh, so real in every human On time (About time) There’s a reelin’ when you don’t know what you’re doing, In time…

If there was a clip that examples their on stave vigor, it would be from their performance of “Justice” (that features Trombone Shorty on the new album). Tony Hall took the electric guitar for a ride down the adjacent lanes to end the jam. New Orleans cats Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and Nick Daniels hit hard on Tower of Power’s “Soul Vaccination,” resonating with the New York crowd. I’m talking bout soul (soul vaccination) Everybody get in line (soul vaccination) Horns!

During the final song horn players Alex Wasily and Ashlin Parker made their way through the Brooklyn Bowl crowd for “Street Parade” to close the set like the Saints go marching in.

For the encore, the band paid tribute to legendary drummer and singer Buddy Miles. as his song “United Nation Stomp,” featuring Marcus King was nominated for a Grammy Award for best American roots performance.

In recording a new album, Tony Hall shed some light with NYS Music about the group’s creative process.

We recorded a bunch of these songs and didn’t finish them lyric-wise. Vocal-wise we can always change. It goes kind of like vice versa. We’re all a band that can sing and play too, ya know?

Photos by Russell Mangicaro III: Dumpstaphunk – Brooklyn Bowl – October 23, 2021

October 28, 2021
Soul Train Announce Plans to Host Awards Show At The Apollo Theater

Soul Train has announced plans to host their annual Awards Show at The Apollo Theater in Harlem. The awards show will take place on November 28 at 8 PM EST on BET and BET Her.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Soul Train from when it aired in 1971 and the 33rd year of the Soul Train Awards so this year’s awards show will be in commemoration of both of these milestones. The show aired for 35 years and was created by Don Cornelius. It brought African American culture to a nationwide audience.

The award show showcases Soul Train’s impact on the genre of music and dance. The Soul Train Awards will feature performances from some of the most talented musicians in the industry. The awards show has aired on BET since 2009 being taped in Las Vegas in recent years.The annual awards ceremony is being held for the first time at the Apollo Theater in New York City. The awards show will honor the 2021’s best in soul, hip-hop and R&B.

“The Apollo is thrilled to partner with BET to host the ‘Soul Train Awards,’ bringing together three iconic brands that represent Black culture and excellence under one roof,” Kamilah Forbes, Apollo executive producer, said in a press release.

Catch the awards on November 28 at 8 PM EST on BET and BET Her for more information visit the ABC News article on the event.

October 22, 2021