Category: Funk/Soul/R&B

In Focus: Peach Fest 2021 heralds the return of Music Festivals
After nearly all Music Festivals worldwide postponed their events in 2020, the return of those festivals has begun, bringing with it joyous fans, packed houses and the live music that has been missing for far too long. Peach Fest 2021 marked the first large scale music festival to return, held over July 1-4 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA.

Thursday, July 1

Kicking off Thursday afternoon with sets from Eggy, Mikaela Davis, Twiddle, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Dark Star Orchestra, the muggy air and intermittent rain was an afterthought for those in attendance. Spread out between the Peach and Grove stages, the acts all had full crowds, with few attendees missing a full range of live music. A wide selection of jam, funk and, in the case of Davis, harp music, kept the crowds satiated, and it was only Day 1.
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Friday, July 2

The Mushroom Stage, where Goose performed a breakout set in 2019, opened up Friday at Peach Fest 2021 with Thumpasaurus, Ghost Light and Aqueous. Nicole Atkins, followed by Live at the Fillmore East, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band seminal live album (stay tuned for our look back at the album and performance on July 6!).

What felt like a celebration of a steady return to normalcy found both musicians and patrons delighted to be back. Friday night the crowd was rocked with two sets from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) and Umphrey’s McGee following with a two hour late-night set.

Russo gave special thanks to his drum tech/nephew Evan Roque for taking over his role behind the kit two years earlier while Joe was tending to his newborn child. Roque then sat in with Joe for an encore of “Samson & Delilah.” Umphrey’s McGee’s late-night set included a mind-blowing sit-in from lead singer from Doom Flamingo, Kanika Moore, who joined the group for a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” The Chicago septet closed the set with “Glory” -> “Hajimemashite” -> “Glory” followed by “40’s Theme.”

Watch Moore’s sit-in below and stay tuned for a full report on Saturday’s music!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Saturday, July 3

A wet Friday night gave way to a much drier, enthusiastic, and jam packed Saturday at Peach Fest 2021. Spirits were high for Oysterhead and everyone raging at Turkuaz late-night. The rain picked up around 5pm when Oteil & Friends started a set of Allman Brothers tunes, welcoming the Allman Betts Band for a couple of of songs to help clear up the rain. Dopapod played an incredible, packed set at the Mushroom Stage, a welcoming sight for a Northeast Festival favorite.

On the Grove stage, Andy Frasco welcomed a cast of friend including Taz, Mike Gantzer, and members of Doom Flamingo. Frasco recreated his Peach 2019 set by crowd surfing over to the pool from the stage. Later at the Grove, Trey Anastasio sat in with fellow Ghosts of the Forest member Celisse.

Oysterhead took the stage for a highly anticipated performance, their first together since Fberuary 2020 in Colorado, and also Les Claypool’s last time on stage. Opening with “Mr.Oysterhead,” they worked through much of their catalog with Anastasio taking command on many songs, including a surprise cover of Phish’s “First Tube.” To close the night, Turkuaz played an irresistible dance set of Talking Heads covers, featuring a surprise King Crimson cover, “Thela Hun Gingeet,” with KC guitarist Adrian Belew joining them for the set.

One more day to go Peach Fest! Have a Happy 4th of July!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Sunday, July 4

Never miss a Sunday show, so they say, and what a SUNday it was! The weather finally gave way to a fun in the sun packed last day of Peach Festival 2021. Patrons were excited to utilize the water park and enjoy an independence day full of leisure.

Sunday started off with the Peach guitar pull, a tradition started in 2019. Later in the day Warren Haynes played a mostly acoustic, solo set. This proved to be slow but also genuine and touching, playing a soul warming “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen), an always loved “Soulshine,” and a well played “It Hurts Me Too” amongst an array of wonderfully executed tunes.

The main event came soon after Warren, with two sets of The String Cheese Incident. Playing a monstrous first set, opening with “Texas” and paying tribute to Independence Day by closing with the Grateful Dead’s “U.S. Blues,” with Warren Haynes sitting in.

The second set opened up with another sit-in, this time by “The Blind Boys of Alabama” followed by a reggae, bass heavy sequence of “Best Feeling” > “Exodus” > “Best Feeling.” The second set was incredibly energized and even featured a Drums section. SCI paid tribute to the Allman Brothers Band with a performance of “Jessica” as their encore.

The music was over but many of the patrons were not looking to end their nights just yet. Circling to and past the “Thunder Dome,” a DIY stage in the campgrounds consisting of a tent a and few canopies. At night it hosted as many people that could be accommodated, with musicians playing late into the night.

Another Peach fest in the books. See you next year!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
July 4, 2021
Watch Live Music and Fireworks at the Empire State Plaza on the Fourth of July

Albany’s Empire State Plaza Independence Day celebration returns for its 45th annual fireworks display this year. The festivities will include musical performances from local favorites, as well as food and drink vendors on Sunday, July 4.

The night begins with a pop up COVID-19 vaccination site, while supplies last, from 5:30 to 8 PM at the Empire State Plaza. Later, attendees can enjoy food and drink vendors from 6-10 PM while watching the sunset around Albany’s cityscape. Alcohol will be served from 6 to 9:15 PM by vendors to adults with proper identification.

The Fourth of July festivities will also feature two Capital Region bands throughout the night. Classic rock band Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown will take the stage at 6:30 PM, followed by the Powerhouse Funk Band at 8 PM after an official July Fourth Ceremony.

Powerhouse Funk Band at the Empire State Plaza’s 2019 Fourth of July Celebration

The official ceremony will begin at 7:45 with a color guard and singing of the national anthem by Air National Guard Master Sargeant Samantha Marquette. Fireworks will close out the night, beginning at 9:15 PM.

Free parking begins at 5:30 PM in the Visitor, “P” Lot, Grand Street, and Elk Street Lots. No tickets are required, entrance to the event as well as firework viewing is free. For a list of ground rules, visit the New York State website.

For more information about the event, including a list of vendors, see the event webpage or keep up with updates on the Empire State Plaza Facebook page.

Empire State Plaza’s July Fourth Schedule:

5:30 PM: Empire State Plaza parking lots open and registration begins at pop-up vaccination site.
6:00 PM: Start of event and vaccination site opens
6:30 PM: Performance by Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown
7:45 PM: Official July 4 ceremony with color guard, national anthem, and remarks.
8:00 PM: Performance by Powerhouse Funk Band
9:15 PM: Fireworks
10:00 PM: Event Ends

2018 Empire State Plaza Festivities

July 2, 2021
In Focus: Eggy and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Westville Music Bowl
On Saturday, June 26, 2021, it was game/set/match with Eggy and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Westville Music Bowl.

Eggy came to play, dressed as tennis players who jogged a lap around the floor of the Bowl. Once onstage, the group ripped off their breakaway pants as seen below. For a band from New Haven, this was a huge show for them, especially since Dani Battat (keys/vocals) was brought to Westville to watch tennis matches as a kid,

Pigeons continued their hot streak of live performances, closing their first set with Springsteenâs “Born to Run” inside of “King Kong.” Guitarist and Connecticut local Tim Palmieri joined the band in the second set for a cover of Hendrix’ “Fire.”

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Setlist

Set 1: Henrietta > Lost In Line, Somethinâ For Ya > Time To Ride, Sorcerer, Poseidon, Sail On, King Kong > Born To Run > King Kong
Set 2: In The Bubble, Lowdown, Ocean Flows, Sunny Day, Fire*, Kiwi > Burning Up My Time
Encore: Offshoot
* w/ Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu , soon to be Lotus) on guitar

photos by Vince Brazen
June 29, 2021
‘Love & Truth’ Album Released by Soul/Funk Masters, Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers

Alan Evans, a prolific musician from Buffalo, has just released a new album Love & Truth, with Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers, which he claims as his guitar player alter ego. The album is released by Vintage League Music, one of Evans’ endeavors that reflects his passion for Soul & Funk music.

Alan Evans is the multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of acclaimed band Soulive, that has been performing together since 1999. In Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers, Evans is able to focus on his guitar personality rather than being a drummer like in Soulive. His astounding talent is apparent in the new album Love & Truth, which evokes the classic 60s and 70s Soul & Funk sound of Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, and NYC.

The album features an all star line-up of acclaimed guest vocalists including Kim Dawson (Pimps of Joytime, Matador Soul Sounds), Saundra Williams (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Saun & Starr), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Yanick (After Funk) and Brother GoodLove (Aztec Sun). Evans handles guitar, bass and drums with guests such as Darby Wolf & Neal Evans on keys and the horn section from the BT ALC Big Band.

Love & Truth is an album of outstanding musicianship, powerhouse vocal performances but most of all classic songwriting which oozes authentic soul. It encompasses quality funk music that is a blessing to all ears. The smooth guitar lines mixed with the classic drum rhythms makes it an unforgettable album guaranteed to soothe the soul. It blends a retro sound with a modern sensibility, strong songwriting and powerhouse vocals.

Love & Truth from Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers is available now at all good record stores, all digital streaming platforms and via the Vintage League Music.

June 28, 2021
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Bring the Funk to Central New York
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brought their high energy funk to the rolling hills of Central New York for two nights of shows at Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette. NY.

June 18 Setlist: Set 1: Live It Up, Stay, Poseidon, Distant Times, Skipjack > Just The Two Of Us > Skipjack, Undivided > King Kong

Set 2: Snake Eyes > Upfunk > Hyrule Castle > Upfunk > Drums > Upfunk, Havana > Julia, Lightning > Donkey Hotel > Lightning

Encore: Schwanthem

June 19 Setlist: Bad For You, Fortress, Porcupine, Penguins > Funkijam > Groove Is In The Heart > Steal The Shade*, Avalanche, Landing > Jam > Zydeko, Move Like That > Weightless > White Night, Doc, Fade Fast, Horizon > Fool In The Rain^ > Horizon

Encore: Water

* Original debut
^ w/ D’yer Mak’er tease
2.5 hr set, played through setbreak
June 23, 2021
NYC’s Blue Note Jazz Club is Reopened by Grammy Winner Robert Glasper

R&B genius and four-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper celebrates the epic return of live music by performing at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. The celebrity-packed grand reopening ran until 2:30am on Friday, June 18th. You can watch a recap of the night here.

Glasper was joined onstage by comedic icons Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. Musicians included Questlove, Common, Keyon Harrold, and Talib Kweli. You can watch the performance of these artists here. Many celebrities were spotted in the audience, such as Zoe Kravitz, Jon Hamm, Susan Sarandon, Lupita Nyong’o, Don Cheadle, Maurice Brown and poet Amir Sulaiman.

The Blue Note Jazz Club opened in 1981 and has been one of the most premier jazz clubs in the world ever since. It is a gathering place for listeners to enjoy some of America’s best music. The club fosters innovation and progression while preserving the history and traditions of jazz. Clubs like Blue Note have been an integral part of NYC entertainment for years, and the coronavirus pandemic led them to shut down for months. The recent reopening of the clubs has been incredibly exciting for both performers and jazz fans across the state.

Blue Note is celebrating the grand reopening of NYC jazz clubs by presenting the Blue Note Jazz Festival that will run throughout the summer. Many up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and funk artists will be featured. The energy between the walls of Blue Note this summer will remind attendees of the gaping hole that was left this year when jazz clubs were forced to close. The electric performances will be something you surely don’t want to miss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKsIsP3mKdM

June 23, 2021
The Campbell Brothers To Headline 2nd Annual Cider, Blues & BBQ Showcase

The Stone Ridge Orchard in Stone Ridge, New York kicks off their summer season with Cider, Blues & BBQ, a live blues review with New York State-based blues musicians. This year’s festivities will feature The Campbell Brothers, Alexis P. Suter and The Robert Hill Band on Saturday, June 19.

Opening the show will be The Robert Hill Band. Hill is an award-winning songwriter, vocalist, and master guitarist. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Robert now calls New York home. His band is known for their original, autobiographical blues music, previously performing internationally from NYC to Spain.

Headlining the show is the Campbell Brothers, an American sacred-steel gospel group from Rochester, New York. The ensemble features prominent pedal steel guitars and soulful singing. Their groove is infectious and sure to get the audience up and dancing together!

At the end of the night, Brooklyn native Alexis P. Suter will usher in the sunset with her hearty voice. A sousaphone player and church singer since the age of four, Alexis was the first African American woman signed to Epic/Sony Records. The award-winning musician will grace the stage with a selection of songs from her extensive six-album catalog. Her deep, passionate vocals are goosebump inducing.

To accompany the blues, there will be food on-site available from Hudson Valley’s The Grille Wagon. Smoked BBQ staples like pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, BBQ chicken, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and a host of other locally-sourced dishes are on the menu. The farm’s tasting room will be open for cider and wine tastings, as well as their roadside farm market that provides freshly baked goods and local products available for purchase.

We’re so grateful to showcase these amazing musicians on our farm, and we welcome the community to soak up everything the farm has to offer.
Elizabeth Ryan, Stone Ridge Orchard’s owner, farmer and cider maker

In addition to the evening show and BBQ, the 115-acre farm offers a chance to visit with the resident alpacas, pigs, and sheep. Guests are even able to for a hike up to the 350-year old oak tree on the farm, full of scenic Catskill Mountain views.

Stone Hill Orchard’s 350-year-old oak tree. Courtesy: Chronogram

Cider, Blues & BBQ is pet-friendly and compliant with reopening restrictions. Tickets are available for purchase at the Stone Ridge Orchard website.

Schedule:
Doors Open – 3 p.m.
Robert Hill – 4 p.m.
Alexis P. Suter – 6 p.m.
The Campbell Brothers – 7:30 p.m.

The Campbell Brothers performing for the virtual 2020 Richmond Folk Fest

June 19, 2021
Diana Bidea Releases Soulful R&B Single “Would You Still”

New York City-native and emerging R&B artist Diana Bidea is set to drop her newest single titled, “Would You Still” on Friday, June 11.

“Would You Still” is Bidea’s seventh overall single and third release this year, behind her January single “Forbidden Fruit” and March single “The Game.” She also has one EP album so far, Artemis in 2019, with five songs on the tracklist.

With a background in classical opera, Bidea’s music displays her full vocals, cushioned with bluesy melodies. Her passionate musical tone and meaningful, talented lyricism gives off the full contemporary R&B experience.

Bidea’s original songs seem to have similar themes, discussing self-worth, love, and devotion. Her most recent release, “The Game,” more specifically brings a sultry vibe with guitar riffs and raspy vocals. This single blurs the line between sexual references and casual relationship description with lyrics like “sweet pleasure is the game… my favorite pleasure is pain.”

“Would You Still” is more focused on the self, reconciling with carrying the burden of being the person everyone turns to for advice.

I think some people naturally fall into the role of being the person that everyone comes to for answers, empathy and a safe space to keep their secrets. But when it feels like you don’t have that safe space in return, it leaves you feeling heavy with responsibility and emotionally exhausted. (‘Would You Still’) is about searching for someone who can give you that safe space and they will still love you after they know you at your most vulnerable.
Diana Bidéa

“Would You Still” tells the story of a sensitive girl who wears the mask of a bold, put-together person. Described as a “hero complex,” Bidea highlights the importance of checking up on your friends, no matter how happy they seem on the surface.

Though her lyrics’ meanings are deep-rooted, they are anything but mournful. Bidea takes on an optimistic spirit, not questioning her personal worth; simply asking the question, “will you treat me at my true worth?”

The new single is also chock full of vocal riffs and runs, staying true to her soulful style.

On her Youtube channel, Bidea often posts original freestyles as well as freestyles based off of other songs like Cardi B’s WAP that show off her lyricism and creativity.

The track will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Apple Music, Soundcloud, and Spotify on June 11.

June 9, 2021
Alicia Keys’ “Songs in A Minor” Turns 20 Years Old Today

On this day in 2001, Alicia Keys released her debut album, Songs in A Minor. Bolstered by the success of lead single “Fallin’,” it became an instant neo-soul classic and propelled Keys to R&B superstardom.

After the past half-decade defined by image-based teen pop acts such as Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, 20-year-old Alicia Keys carved out a space on the charts once more for scaled-back production and soulful vocals. Discovered by Clive Davis, Keys melded her classical piano background with modern hip hop beats. The gospel-influenced lead single “Fallin’” did it best: built on a simple two-chord riff, it feels timeless while foreshadowing the decade’s future in R&B. Keys has since surpassed the success of “Fallin’” with 2007’s “No One,” but her debut single remains her best.

Other highlights on Songs in A Minor include follow-up singles “A Woman’s Worth” and “Girlfriend.” Despite the album’s title, only one song here is written in the key of A minor: the Kandi Burruss-produced “Jane Doe.” That said, if the A is to stand for Alicia, Songs in A Minor delivers on its promise and more. From the Moonlight Sonata-interpolating opener “Piano & I,” it’s a moody young adult record that shares more in common with Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige than Keys’ same-age peers in Destiny’s Child.

Songs in A Minor went on to be a major commercial and critical success. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and nearly doubled its sales in the second week. Taking home five awards at the 2001 Grammys, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year, Keys became the second female solo artist to win that many in a single night after Lauryn Hill in 1999. As the initial wave of Max Martin-produced pop acts fell out of favor, she ushered in a new era of female singer-songwriters like Norah Jones, Nelly Furtado and India.Arie, blending pop with jazz, folk and soul and emphasizing talent first and foremost.

Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys and India.Arie covering a 2002 issue of Entertainment Weekly.

Keys went on to release her arguably better sophomore effort, The Diary of Alicia Keys, in 2004, and eventually scored more hits with “No One,” “Girl On Fire,” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.” But still, “Fallin’” and Songs in A Minor remain her signature song and album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpV6wOdkmmo&list=PL05CE9A08E62DB1D1

In honor of the album’s 20th anniversary, an expanded edition of Songs in A Minor is available for streaming. It includes four previously unreleased songs, one being a new version of “Fallin’.”

June 5, 2021
Soule Monde Debut ‘Mimi Digs It,’ Live in Vermont

Soule Monde went to Mad River Road at Sugarhouse Soundworks in Waitsfield, VT to musically start their sound for 2021, having just cut their new record Mimi Digs It on site. The duo treated fans to a live performance of the material this past Saturday May 29 to kick off the Laughing Eagle Summer concert series on location.

Some Hollow and Mark Legrand kicked the sunny Saturday afternoon off. Legrand threw a nice cover of the Wood Brothers “I Got Loaded” to close their set. Lawson’s finest liquids sip of sunshine IPAs was the exclusive tent for drinks to celebrate the evening.

Sometime after sunset Soule Monde took the outside sugar shack stage. It being just a few yards away from where they recorded their new album. The band was playing off the energy of a live audience to receive these new sounds. Everyone in attendance was grooving into the starry, chilly Vermont night. The duo covered material from their first gig ever all the way through their most recent collaboration.

As Afro beat funk jams dominated the sound all evening the duo took time to dedicate a song to Tony Markellis. Ray Paczkowski’s mic cut out and ran to the front of the stage acapella to regale everyone with an important story of his band mate.

My friend Tony Markellis told me this story once. He met this guy from New Orleans in New York City. So Tony loved to know where to get good food. But he’s talking to none other than Dr. John. Tony asked him where do I get the best New Orleans food in New York? Dr. John said you to go to the Balkan Dog. So Tony looked for it and weeks went by and he thought oh it must be closed. He ran into Dr John later and said hey I looked for that place Balkan Dog and it’s nowhere. Dr John’s reply…A Balkan Dog? It’s a BarKing dog…Woof!!!! Soule Monde then launched in to their newly recorded tune from Sugarhouse titled “Theys a Balkan Dog”.

Soule Monde started an outdoor groove the right way with Mimi Digs It, for the much anticipated return of live music across the land. Check out their upcoming 2021 dates to catch them funk out yourself

Photos via Anne Lattrell Photography

June 1, 2021