This night’s trio, assembled on the occasion of the CD release party for Marco's new cover rich album Me Not Me, consisted of Marco on keys, Andrew Barr on drums and Marc Friedman on bass. Andrew’s brother Brad opened the show solo, demonstrating his wide range on both the acoustic and electric guitar while covering most of his recent acoustic release, The Fall Apartment:
It was already packed tight when I arrived at Southpaw in the heart of Park Slope, standard for an Antibalas show in their home borough. The venue proved to be a good fit for the afro-beat collective, despite the small stage—wedging 12 band members, including keys, full percussion and six horns, into that cramped area was an impressive feat.
Since the release of the great Amen Corner in June, Railroad Earth has been touring consistently, and the fall schedule proves no less ambitious. Though their 9/6 show at Irving Plaza—despite the lame marquee and barely renovated interior, I’ll never call it “The Fillmore”—didn’t jump out of the gate, the strong second set was a potent reminder of the band’s wholly satisfying live sound.
Created following the dissolution of Phish in 2004, Strange Design sets a purpose similar to that of Grateful Dead re-creationists Dark Star Orchestra. The members—guitarist Matthew Chase, bassist Ben Markowitz, drummer Adam Chase and keyboardist Aaron Levy—don’t just play Phish tunes; they inhabit them. Also like DSO, they play entire shows exactly as they were played originally, fine-tuning each detail to ensure faithful reproduction.
“2 percent jazz and 98 percent funky stuff.” That’s the preferred musical formula Maceo Parker proclaimed on his 1992 album Life on Planet Groove, and it certainly sums up his performance at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, as well as that of the opening band, Lettuce.
On tunes like “Other Side” and “Water Vein,” featuring vocals from keyboardist Phil Ferlino, the bright, mostly major-key improvisation explored interesting territory without falling off the rails.
Though they never caught fire, P-Groove showed that even on what seemed to be an “off” night, they still provide one of the best small-theater rock shows out there
With their new album, Lil’ Tae Rides Again, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey journeys further into the sonic ether. Known for their adventurous jazz odysseys (excuse the pun), the hyperkinetic trio—this time around without longtime drummer Jason Smart, who amicably left the band last year—tap electronic producer Tae Meyulks for this spacious minimalist effort.
Five years after his well-received debut, Later That Day…, Lyrics Born (real name Tom Shimura) returns with his Anti- debut, Everywhere at Once, another party-ready collection of danceable rhythms and smooth lyrical delivery.
After a few years spent pursuing other projects, the members of Lettuce finally regrouped for a two-night stand at Sullivan Hall in support of RAGE!, which will be released April 22. (Note to all funk fans: Buy this album; it’s outstanding.)