Listening | Noticing | Getting Down
October 29, 2010 Leave a comment
Funky Friday doesn’t have to be a funk song, I don’t guess.
Here’s a juicy video.
Yo La Tengo is all over the place, and shape-shifty. There’s no formula. No equations. Just some crazy personalities flowing. They’re in Europe now, but back touring the US in December.
Here’s a video from their 2009 album, Popular Songs.
Sink your teeth in, and enjoy.
October 28, 2010 Leave a comment
Here’s one of the best covers out there of WAR’s classic “Slippin’ Into Darkness” by jazz piano/keyboard great Ramsey Lewis and his trio.
This hard-working brother, born in 1935, has recorded over 80 albums throughout his career. At that pace, he’s probably recorded two more since breakfast yesterday.
Ramsey’s first album dropped in 1956, and last year he put out a new one, Ramsey does Ramsey. This tune is from Upendo Ni Pamona (1972). If you don’t know it, I’m glad I could share.
Enjoy.
October 27, 2010 Leave a comment
100th song. Throw some streamers and drink a cold one.
Here’s another post with the touch of Money Mark on it. He teamed up with Tommy Guerrero and Shawn Lee to form Lord Newborn & The Magic Skulls.
This is my favorite from their self-titled debut from 2009.
Rock out with your socks out, and enjoy.
[UPDATE: Originally posted “A Phase Shifter I’m Going Through,” but copyright people removed the audio from the YouTube video.]
October 26, 2010 Leave a comment
Words of wisdom from one of the best “funk orchestras” around, Breakestra.
I got this from a compilation entitled Peanut Butter Wolf’s Jukebox 45’s (2002). The video is great!
You need to get down. Enjoy.
October 25, 2010 Leave a comment
Aw yeah, this is some smooth stuff here. Vintage Soulive from their classic 2006 album, Break Out.
Because this song produces animated eyebrow activity on my face, I’m pasting below a related quote from Frank Zappa:
The computer can’t tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact mathematical design, but what’s missing is the eyebrows.
-Frank Zappa (1940-1993)
Prepare your face for this song, and enjoy.
October 24, 2010 Leave a comment
The Brooklyn-based band Slavic Soul Party! sounds something to my ears like a cross between New Orleans brass band and klezmer, with some Latin juicy-juice thrown in. And sometimes I hear something Balkany-sounding, too. “BalkanSoulGypseFunk” is what they call it. They’re actually touring the US right now!!
Just listen.
And enjoy.
October 23, 2010 Leave a comment
Here’s a band that’s growing on me. This song is a good example of how Tin Hat can meander all around a song before pulling it all together at the end. It’s from Book of Silk (2004).
They’ve had a couple of greats play with them who are worthy of making a noise to yourself like ‘hm!’… Both Willie Nelson and Tom Waits have been featured guests of the band. Not bad to have those two in your fan base, Tin Hat!
It’s a beautiful new type of sound I have not heard the likes of before. It’s got unconventional beauty.
The video that goes with it is totally unrelated, done by the fan who uploaded the video.
Now, tilt your head to one side, either side will do, and enjoy.
October 22, 2010 Leave a comment
The band, The Awakening, recorded Mirage way back in 1973 for the label Black Jazz. It was reissued this year.
Groove on, and enjoy.
October 21, 2010 Leave a comment
Here he is, the maestro himself. Doing what he do.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk shows in this video the kind of crazy talent and multi-instrument ingenuity that makes him the inspiration of the greats.
Rahsaan could have circular breathed Kenny G, former world record holder, into the ground. And I mean, when you can best Kenny G in anything related to circular breathing or haircare, then you’re hardcore.
Suck in a full, deep breath, and enjoy.
[Embedding is disabled on the video, so click to watch… and jump to 1:15 if you wanna skip Quincy Jones’ long-winded intro]
October 20, 2010 Leave a comment
So, this song, from Japanese pop band Scoobie Do, “Ikigai,” sort of sounds like the theme song from Friends. But it’s in Japanese, which gives it a certain tantalizing taste of the unknown. If I understood what he was saying, I’d probably hate this song. But as it is, I’ll listen to it a few times and nod my head like it was 1998.
As a service to the reader/listener, I have powered through my lack of understanding of Japanese, and have translated with 100% accuracy the lyrics of this song. Find them below.
The of unto,
she has derived the fear
of the smell of rotting fruit
into love, love love.
Perhaps and although why not,
summoned of wanton pork
the days pass by like a breeze on the gland
of love, love love.
Short-shrift terminals
hello the fortunes and communal well-being
of babyless grandmothers with robotic
love, love, love.
Robot love, love, love.
If that ain’t Japanese, I don’t know what Japanese is. I love you, Japaneses. Bonus track below. Enjoy.
Uncle Funk's Catalogue 