Category: Funk/Soul/R&B

The Nth Power announce Fall Back in Love Tour, Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Albany

Acclaimed soul-rock trio, The Nth Power has made some exciting additions to their already announced “Fall Back In Love Tour,” further exploring the Midwest with nine additional dates in November. The Nth Power will also be hitting the Northeast for four nights to ring in the New Year, including two night’s in Albany. The tour will be featuring the newly released studio album Reverence.

The full band is filled with musicians you may already know from elsewhere, guitarist and vocalist Nick Cassarino (Jennifer Hartswick Band), bassist Nate Edgar (John Brown’s Body) and drummer and vocalist Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce).

Their origin story started as an impromptu late-night jam during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The energy that Nth Power taps into is something almost sensual, spiritual, and sexy. They prove that music can be a higher power which might just be relentlessly funky and soulful. While Nth Power does transcend genre audiences hear influences from American rock, soul, funk, rhythm and blues. The latest album, Reverence offers the utmost maturity of the trio’s sound conveying messages of hope, empathy, gratitude, self-forgiveness and, above all, the universal power of love. They tap into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance, groove, make love or just stand there with goosebumps.

We’re going as far as you can go on planet Earth as musicians. We want to change the world through music – that’s the goal

Nikki Glaspie

Distributed by The Orchard, Reverence features guests like Kofi Burbridgeis who plays on keys and flute throughoutlike, the album itself has been dedicated to the memory of this Grammy-winning keyboardist. You may also hear renowned saxophonist Maceo Parker, vocalists Ivan Neville and Nick Daniels III of Dumpstaphunk, vocalist Cheryl Pepsii Riley and keyboardist Amy Bellamy.

The Nth Power return to the Northeast to ring in 2022 with a trio of shows in Waterbury, VT,; Albany, and Bridgeport, CT.

10.22 – Placerville, CA – Hangtown Festival

10.23 – Placerville, CA – Hangtown Festival

10.30 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween

11.4 – Ferndale, MI – Otus Supply

11.5 – Berwyn, IL – FitzGerald’s

11.6 – Cincinnati, OH – Fretboard Brewing Company

11.7 – Bloomington, IN – Stable Music Hall & Lounge

11.9 – Dayton, OH – The Brightside

11.10 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern

11.11 – Peoria, IL – Kenny’s Westside Pub

11.12 – Indianapolis, IN – Mousetrap

11.13 – Memphis, TN – Railgarten

12.29 – Waterbury Center, VT – Zenbarn

12.30 – Albany, NY – Lark Hall

12.31 – Albany, NY – Lark Hall

1.1 – Bridgeport, CT – Park City Music Hall

October 18, 2021
Trombone Shorty celebrates Long Weekend at new Brooklyn Made Venue

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue put on two soul crushing shows at the brand new 500-person capacity Brooklyn Made stage to start this week. The club just opened on September 30 and this was the band’s third and most intimate New York show this year, having performed in Rochester at Manhattan Square Park in August and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in September.

photo by Russell Mangicaro III

New Orleans legend Tony Hall told NYS Music in August about Troy Andrews. “We have known Shorty since he was young. Coming up he’s always been extremely bad ass. In the beginning he used to do some shows with us and then did his own shit. Then blew up. He’s the man and puts on a hell of a show. Phenomenal player on the trumpet and trombone. It’s like nobody can touch him. But he also plays everything else like drums, keyboards and sings.”

The Orleans Avenue Band – guitarists Pete Murano and Joshua Connelly, sax-men Dan Osteicher and BK Jackson, drummer Joey Peebles and bassist Mike Ballard, and vocalist Tracci Lee – all took center stage at Brooklyn Made on top of the speakers throughout the show. They made the new Bushwick club feel like the historic Tipitinas in New Orleans.

Shorty opened the show asking for assistance in getting his heart back on “Where it At?” “I tried to find you, baby, did my best, But love don’t come with any GPS.” They brought it from the East River to the Mississippi with a Meters cover of “It Ain’t No Use” and Allen Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down.” Trust me when I tell you their approach on these tunes was truly an explosive expression on funk classics. The Shorty original “The Craziest Thing” is another call out to the lovers in the crowd. “Ask me to bring you the moon, I’ll put the sky in your room, I’ll die trying.” The highlight of the night occurred during the Ernie K. Doe New Orleans classic “Here Come the Girls.”

photo by Russell Mangicaro III

Mid-groove on “Uncle Potato Chip,” sax player Dan O took the song to another galaxy and back on baritone before the closing verse. “Fire on the Bayou” helped keep the Cajun sounds sizzling.

Trombone Shorty first took the stage at four years old with Bo Diddley at the 1990 New Orleans Jazzfest. 31 years later he was bouncing his solos off all the other band members like a true front man. It also came as no surprise that sax player BK Jackson used to play with Prince. Joey Peebles took his only break of neo soul drum beats for the night, with Mike Ballard and Shorty sharing syncopated bass and trumpet solos on stage that took you back to Birdland.

Vocalist Tracci Lee’s backing soul helped bring every song full circle exchanging tambourines throughout. Guitarists Joshua Connelly and Pete Murano electricity was directly plugged into your head on the Brooklyn Made stage. Tuesday night’s show had a Red Hot Chili Peppers musical intro as a nod to his tour with the group in 2016 opening for them at Madison Square Garden and Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. He brought the crowd back to his first record Backatown with the track “Suburbia.”

Ray Charles’ classic “I Got A Woman” on Tuesday night was a standout as well. In true New Orleans fashion, they closed both nights with Shorty’s “Hurricane Season” mixed with “When the Saints Go Marching In” that sent the crowd strutting back into the Bushwick scene.

A Monday and Tuesday night with Trombone Shorty at Brooklyn Made like this really made his tune “Long Weekend” resonate – “Cause you never know what could happen on a long weekеnd…” Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue head back to New Orleans on Monday, October 11 for his first ever “Shorty Fest.”

Photos by Russell Mangicaro III

October 8, 2021
Soulive return to Brooklyn Bowl this New Years Eve

After more than two years, Soulive will return to Brooklyn Bowl for their much-loved Bowlive concert series this December, From December 29-31, Soulive will be joined by bassist for The Meters, George Porter Jr. on the first night, and hold a special New Year’s Eve performance on Saturday, December 31.

Marking the ninth mini-residency for Soulive at Brooklyn Bowl, the trio of Eric Krasno, Neal Evans, and Alan Evans are fresh off a three-night run opening up the brand new Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia. Bowlive has a storied history at Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg, dating back to 2010.

Doors open at 6 with show starting at 830pm. Tickets are $50 each and on sale now here.

October 7, 2021
Turkuaz Cancel Many 2021 Fall Tour Dates

Turkuaz has announced they are cancelling a majority of their Fall 2021 tour dates, citing health risks and logistics for the 9-piece Brooklyn-based touring band.

The band made the following statement on their Facebook page:

To All Our Fans,
We have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel much of our upcoming Fall Tour.
While the dates we had set out on this past August were primed to be an exciting return, there were many challenges we encountered in facing the reality of touring in these adverse conditions. Between unforeseen cancelations, health and safety risks, and logistical travel concerns, touring in this ever-changing reality proved to be very difficult. The resulting impact has forced us to take a hard look at our ability to go back out on tour while we are still facing these same issues and more, including continued public health concerns.
Touring is our life, and performing live for our fans is the best part of our job. This makes the realities we’re facing disappointing, but unfortunately necessary. The dates remaining are a result of reexamining what is logistically feasible, and keeps the many moving pieces in a band and touring operation of our size safe and secure. To the friends and fans in the cities that we must cancel, please know that we WILL be back! It’s just going to be a bit longer than we’d hoped for.
Refunds for all tickets purchased to all cancelled dates will be issued from the original point of purchase. Below is a list of tour dates that are still occurring. All Remain In Light performances will continue as planned. We’re grateful to our fans for understanding this decision and the difficult situation. Thank you for your continued support.

Remaining Turkuaz 2021 Fall Tour dates

10.28.21 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club*
10.29.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall*
10.30.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall*
10.31.21 Live Oak, FL: Suwanee Hulaween^
11.04.21 Burlington, VT: Higher Ground*
11.05.21 Boston, MA: Big Night Live*
11.06.21 Portland, ME: State Theater*
12.11.21 Denver, CO: Mission Ballroom~
12.29.21 Philadelphia, PA: Brooklyn Bowl
12.30.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall
12.31.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall
01.23-25.22 Riviera Maya, MEX: Panic En La Playa
01.28-29.22 Miami, FL: North Beach Bandshell
04.29.22 New Orleans, LA: Joy Theater^
05.05.22 New Orleans, LA: Tipitina’s

* w/ Thumpasaurus
^ Remain In Light w/ Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew
~ w/ Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe

October 5, 2021
Big Freedia Brings High Energy to Brooklyn Steel
New Orleans bounce artist, Big Freedia, performed with her usual thunderous energy at Brooklyn Steel on Monday, September 27th. Bounce music is known to be raucous and high energy and Big Freedia did not disappoint, as she showed up with her signature aplomb.

As with my other musicians, Big Freedia’s touring schedule had been on hiatus for the better part of two years. Many in the crowd mentioned that they had been looking forward to this show for quite some time and it reflected in the crowd’s atmosphere, as their eagerness to witness the pioneer of bounce music was palpable.

A 20-year veteran of the bounce music scene in New Orleans, Big Freedia rose to mainstream prominence with vocal cameos on Beyonce’s “Formation” and Drake’s “Nice For What“, two massive hits that exposed her to a wider audience. But, unbeknownst to many is that Post-Hurricane Katrina, Freedia has been known as one of the biggest voices in the regional bounce music scene and maintains and extremely devoted fanbase.

Despite not performing regularly for almost two years, her stage presence has not waned. Right after getting on stage Freedia immediately began flying through several tracks across her several EPs & albums at bone-rattling volume, as she performed nonstop for several records. All the more astounding as she, along with five backup dancers, frenetically went though their choreography. It’s rare to see a performer with such intensity across any genre, but Big Freedia exemplified the spirit and movement of bounce music for a hungry audience. She didn’t let up and neither did the crowd.

Big Freedia is undoubtedly tied to her home state and her success only means more exposure for the region. What was once considered to be a niche regional sound is now being performed for large audiences in major markets. And Big Freedia displayed why it deserves its recognition, and why New Orleans is still a city to be reckoned with musically.

This was not a one-off show for Big Freedia, she will continue touring throughout United States, with more information on her upcoming tour dates available here. Be sure to take a look at the full photo gallery down below!
October 2, 2021
Hearing Aide: The Nth Power “Reverence”

The Nth Power today release their album Reverence, their second release since 2015’s Abundance. The power trio formed at one of the legendary late night jazz fest jams in New Orleans with bassist Nate Edgar and guitarist Nick Cassarino. Nikki Glaspie was part of the legendary Berklee College Music scene in 2001. Her classmates at the time went on to form Soulive and Lettuce.

While at a show in Nantucket with Sam Kininger Band Nikki got the call to audition for Beyoncé’s first all female band. “I had 50 bucks in my pocket and said to myself, “What am I gonna do?” Which led me to staying in New York for the audition which opened the door to be Beyoncé’s drummer on a world tour.” She then dabbled with the heavy New Orleans sound as the drummer with Tony Hall with Dumpstaphunk on their tour. Just this month Nikki released “Guardian Angels” with guitarist Tim Reynolds.

Nikki formed a power trio project “the Nth Power” at a late night New Orleans Jazzfest gig in 2012 with bassist Nate Edgar and guitarist Nick Cassarino. The album is dedicated to Tedeschi Trucks Band member and Oteil’s brother Kofi Burbridge. Kofi plays keyboards and flute on all but one song on Reverence. It was his final studio work before his passing in February 2019. Cassarino said of Burbridge’s presence on the album, “It means everything that Kofi was playing with us before his transition. He brought the same energy to the studio that he brought to the stage, that he brought to rehearsal, that he brought to dinner — greatness.”

Cassarino covers vocals as well for The Nth Power. The group certainly channels Kofi on the song “Spirits” accompanied by his brilliant keyboard work. The track “A New Day” really speaks to those living in the moment every calendar year. The album also sails some heavier seas with the song “Take My Soul” before “they” do.

The Nth Power’s vibe is simple on Reverence It pulls from all different soulful musical genres to help ensure the healing power of love is spread through the world. It is also a tribute to the final musical project of the legendary ride Kofi Burbridge had, and the album title “Reverence” is a word chosen to represent respect in his honor.

Key Tracks: Spirits, A New Day, Take My Soul

The Nth Power Tour Dates: Fall Back In Love Tour
Sept. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Mint
Sept. 24 – San Francisco, CA – Boom Boom Room
Sept. 25 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall
Sept. 26 – Nevada City, CA – Crazy Horse Saloon
Sept. 27 – Mammoth Lakes, CA – Liberty Bar
Sept. 28 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brew House
Sept. 29 – Sacramento, CA – Torch Club
Sept. 30 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre
Oct. 1 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Oct. 2 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
Oct. 13 – New Orleans, LA – Howlin’ Wolf
Oct. 22 – Placerville, CA – Hangtown Music Festival
Oct. 30 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween

October 1, 2021
Theophilus London brings Joy to Fans at Sony Hall
After a long touring hiatus due to COVID-19, Theophilus London was able to return to his hometown of New York City for his “Bebey, It’s Never Too Late” tour on Wednesday, September 22nd at Time Square’s Sony Hall. In addition to playing many tracks off his third LP, Bebey (released in January 2020), he also played several songs from his previous albums and mixtapes.

Theophilus London at Sony Hall, 09/22/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

Bebey was released nearly two years ago, but if an observer only went by the enthusiastic crowd reactions, they would most likely think that it came out very recently. Theophilus was a great performer, constantly interacting with the very devoted crowd and seemed incredibly thankful and happy to be back performing in front of an audience.

Theophilus London at Sony Hall, 09/22/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

Having been active for over a decade an amassing a large collaboration list, including the likes of Kanye West, Tame Impala, & Jesse Boykins, Theophilus has a large amount of hard-hitting tracks to choose from. While Bebey has a more tropical sound, many of his previous albums have a constant mix between pop, R&B, and hip-hop. He’s able to seamlessly switch between singing and rapping at a dime, resulting in fairly riveting performances. His music has the energy that fits in live performance and the crowd was riveted by any song he played, whether it was two years old or ten years old.

Enough cannot be said about how happy Theophilus was to be back performing. He invited audience members up on stage to dance with him, took song requests from the crowd, and even asked everyone to stick around after the show outside to meet and speak with every fan who was still there. Having personally stuck around, I can attest to the enthusiasm he had and the fact that Theophilus spoke with every fan he could. No picture request was turned down and he even spent a large amount of time with each person who was interested in speaking with him.

The “Bebey, It’s Never Too Late” tour runs for the rest of September. You can see the rest of his tour dates here. Check out the full photo gallery from the show below.
September 25, 2021
Griz Dazzles “In The Round” At the Brooklyn Mirage
Electro-funk maestro Griz made his way to The Brooklyn Mirage on Wednesday night, September 22, for the first of two shows dubbed “in the round and phone free.” A small stage was set up in the middle of the Mirage’s courtyard, just barely big enough to house Griz’s performance platform and a host of guest singers and musicians throughout the show. The simplified staging gave the fans in attendance a much more intimate experience than is typical in the venue for most layouts.

Griz at The Brooklyn Mirage, 9/22/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

Upon arrival, all attendees were given a Yondr pouch – a magnetically sealed pouch that secures your phone while remaining in your possession. The idea behind them is to force people to disconnect from their phones and outside lives for a few hours while enjoying the show, while at the same time eliminating the view of dozens of video-taking cell phones typically seen above a concert crowd. The pouches are a great concept and they are really effective at promoting a positive concert environment. Aside from no longer having access to the current time, I did not miss access to my phone one bit.

Griz “In The Round” at The Brooklyn Mirage, 9/22/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The Brooklyn Mirage is one of several venues within the vast Avant Gardner complex. The venue has become one of the premier performance spaces in the city over the last few years, hosting some of the biggest names in electronic music all year long. Shows at The Mirage can feel overwhelming at times; the GA floor is quite expansive and there is an entirely separate space that exists along the walls that surround the courtyard with bars and lounges hidden throughout.

However, the cavernous feeling within the venue was vastly mitigated by the production for this show. A small rectangular area less than 20 feet in length was fenced off in the middle of the floor that housed Griz’s DJ tables and a small stage. Fans along the rail of the stage were no more than ten feet from Griz, and even if you were further away from the center, you still felt immersed in the action given the concentration right in the middle of the floor. This level of intimacy is rarely experienced in The Mirage.

Griz at The Brooklyn Mirage, 9/22/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

Griz blends hard hitting dubstep beats with a live, funky saxophone for a style of music uniquely his own. The electro-funk DJ added to his catalog this past June with the excellent new album Rainbow Brain. Night two of the Brooklyn Mirage shows is tonight, September 23, but due to the strong rain and wind expected, the “in the round” set-up was abandoned for a more protected set-up on the main stage of the venue. The show is still a phone free night, but it is a shame that the crowd for night two will miss out on the incredible intimacy of the night before. After tonight, Griz heads to Ohio for a set at the Lost Lands Music Festival before a b2b performance with Zed’s Dead in Arizona – catch the full run of shows HERE.
September 24, 2021
Summer Goes Out with A Bang at the Alex Bay Summer Send Off 2

Seems the air is getting cooler which means our summer is coming to an end, but to kick it off you might as well go out with a bang at Riverboat’s seasonal closing party. The second annual Alex Bay Summer Send Off Party will be the weekend of Friday October 1 and Saturday October 2. There will be two full nights of live music that’ll feature headlining performances by Wild Adriatic and LITZ on Saturday night.

This summer’s send off will be rooted in the spirit of rock & roll. Wild Adriatic is a third time returning guest at the stage, with roots in the Capital District and a smooth sound filled with groove heavy guitars and enough grit to get you moving.

The power house psychedelic funk band LITZ will close the night right on Saturday, or close out the year essentially. This Maryland based band will have something for everyone, from funk, jam, go-go, soul, to even electronica. Their late night set has tons of built up anticipation where this will be their debut at Alex Bay and they know how to make a good first impression.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, Friday has a lot in store. The Reflexions are performing at the Pre-Party as an 8 piece in alt-funk band project put together by none other than Joshua West (Annie in the Water and Lucid). The reggae/roots Americana band will debuting at The Riverboat along with HANZOLO fusing soul, jazz, rock, and funk. The Upstate alt-funk band will continue to fill the air and stage with another 7 piece band.

On Saturday for happy hour, loop master Cozmic Theo will perform a solo set to set off the night, followed by Nash Robb of The Old Main.

Get your tickets for Summer Send Off now. Just $20 for 2 days of music with a weekend pass ticket purchased at the link below. Single show tickets will be available at the door for $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday.

September 23, 2021
Resonance Festival 2021: Finding the Center of The Labyrinth
As the haze descended over the stillness of West Virginia’s Marvin’s Mountaintop, one could easily miss the creatures cautiously peering out from carefully selected hideouts. Anticipation built for these mystical beings, for the game of games was about to commence. Players arrived unsure of where to go, but had confidence in their mission of finding what they had lost. On the eve of the full moon, the Resonance Music Festival provided a Labyrinth, some goblins, a few other fairy-tale characters and at the center, a Goblin King. This king kept close, but made sure to provide accommodations of the best lighting and soundtrack for the games.

Goblin friends

It’s further than you think. Time is short.

Keeper of the Beans

Paths twisted and tents upon tents repeated. Nondescript thumping of DJ music could be heard in the distance of an unknown direction. Seeking direction was futile when it came to camp dwellers claiming to be “only worms” relaxed at their sites. These worms, while unhelpful, were very friendly and offered players to meet the Mrs. and stop for some tea. Tempting as it may be, Eggy was about to go on and the center had to be found.

She Chose Down

Satan’s Empress

Eventually, that thing the wizard said about the jam holes filled with Magic Beans made a lot more sense. It was not a dead end, but rather, an energizing oasis. Hobbits with stimulated hemp hats were experts at foraging the Resonance grounds. They advised consumption of Magic Beans was best at The Bog of Eternal Funk You. Doing so summoned Doom Flamingo and our first peek at both Goblin King and Satan’s Empress.

Goblin King

The babe with the power.

Cory Wong reminds the Goblin King of the babe with the Voodoo Power

Attitude was everything that mattered for this maze game and Cory Wong delivered a set that helped reconciliation with players still being so early in the game. His laid back and fun energy was something to behold. To casually joke about a complex timing about to be played evoked the feeling of hope that mastery of something as complex as a guitar or a maze game could be achieved. The laughter on stage was infections and as coolness of the night set in, the next two days felt far more possible thanks to this true artist. Cory also showed that, with good listening skills, it could be possible to play with others outside of the tribe. When sitting in with TAUK Cory had slightly more reserved demeanor, which helped him listen and respond without skipping a beat.

That’s not fair!

Occasionally the board itself seemed to be alive. Initiated by the most subtle of Jack-O-Lantern lights, landscapes would shift dramatically.

Melodic

Flamingo

“The mellow jams would pull you in, then (Umphrey’s) got real nasty with guitars. Melodic to demonic in an instant, but all with that smooth bass keeping it all together while the guitars were going wild.”
-VIP Goblin

Demonic

Doom

You have no power over me…

Lespecial commanding attention.

On September 16-18, Eastern met Mountain and Jam converged with EDM with roads paved in metal. The most notable hour of convergence was when Connecticut Ancient Homies Lespecial (or as the goblins playfully mis-pronounced, “lay-spesh-ee-al”) played on Saturday afternoon. From the VIP crow’s nest, hoards of players could be seen running like the fast zombies from 28 Days Later to the center of the labyrinth, easily finding their way after all the searching they had endured. The crowd grew in size and density as a universal epiphany dawned on everyone involved in the games. A next-generation metal-jam-electronic fusion band deriving from influences like Primus was the lost item no one realized they were missing.

Your eyes can be so cruel…

I wish…

It has been said that legendary sets happen in the center of the Goblin King’s Labyrinth. Ask any Goose fan. The great equalizer of the center provided a grounding humility to many that thought they knew a lot about music.

Conversations held in the crowd were surprising in that nobody had heard of anyone else’s favorite band. The players arrived deeply rooted on many teams. Disciples of Tipper were ready for Detox Unit, but had never heard of The Motet or Dizgo. Doom Flamingo fans were psyched to see Papadosio, but had never witnessed a laser show like the one Sunsquabi put on. Umphrey’s fans had however, heard of Lotus and could not wait to see Tim Palmieri display his technical mastery as if it were the plumage of a rare bird.

“I move the stars for no one…”

Photo courtesy of Albie Binkley

Behind the games, behind the curtain, and beneath the veil was an Oz-like figure in control of the entire game. Only when he was satisfied, were we were released from the simulation.

“Should you need us…”

Dizgo members showing up for Eggy in more ways than one.

After it all, when intensity subsided and the sun was up again, Eggy played an intimate set from the VIP Crow’s nest and provided the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned.

Despite the game only lasting a weekend, the friendships made were lifelong.

Check Out Cory’s podcast here!

Enjoy a collection of top shots from some of the fantastic photographers and friends of Resonance 2021
@kendallmccargophoto @albieoutside @mightyquinnmedia @scoutitout g
September 22, 2021