Galactic

Another perspective into the pleasantly diverse New Orleans music scene, this time through a contemporary lens. This is a promo for the new Galactic album Ya-Ka-May.

New Orleans

Expect my next few posts to be New Orleans related as I have recently attained a newfound respect, curiosity and appreciation for the music and culture of New Orleans (Thanks in full to David Simon's new HBO series "Treme"). This video encompasses all that it is to be a musician from New Orleans. Dr. John, The Meters, and Professor Longhair playing Earl King's composition and a universally recognized anthem of New Orleans, "Big Chief".

Nothing from Nothing

There's one reason people come to this blog and that's to hear good music. Keeping with that trend, this song will put a smile on your face from to ear to ear. You know why? Cuz it's a great f*&^%$# song.

Red Baron

This track was introduced to me by my ever so funky pal and long time contributor to the mid-town Toronto jam scene, Justin Binder. It features a young John Scofield and one of my personal favourite drummers Billy Cobham who I had the pleasure of seeing in New York several years ago with Sylvain Luc and Victor Bailey. Labeling that show "monumental" would be an understatement. Hold on to your hats folks.

Dream Team

Credit for this post goes to my roommate Mr. Noel Thomson. Although caucasian on the exterior I'm thoroughly convinced someone in his family lineage had a child with someone of African-American descent because the man's got s o u l soul.
I don't even know what to say about this video other than it combines three of my favourite musicians D'angelo, Eric Clapton, and Marcus Miller. Whatever planetary alignment caused this collaboration to take place, I hope it happens again. Soon.
Here's Bill Withers' "Use Me".

18th Century Soul

My dad introduced my to Irakere, the Afro-Cuban group formed in the 70's, headed up by Cuban brass legends Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval and founded by pianist Chucho Valdes. Combine two of the best rhythm-heavy styles of music, Funk and Latin, throw in some blazing horns and you've got yourself a hell of a dish. I strongly suggest checking them out, but I've decided to share with you something a little bit lighter.
Here's a great clip of Paquito playing Mozart's Adagio with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. Everything's all ponies and daisies until Paquito brings it with some 12/8 soul straight outta left field. Makes for a beautiful contrast.

00Soul

This one goes back a ways. The first time I saw this video it wasn't the fact that Ray Charles was playing keys that impressed me, nor was it the high-lighter coloured suit Preston was wearing. There's one thing that stands out above all else in this video and that is undeniably the dance break at 0:35. Let's take a moment to break down this spectacle.

He starts off with a combination of raising the roof and flicking water off his hands.

This is followed by a hypnotic, elastic-like, epileptic episode.

Finally, he so gracefully concludes by virtually floating to the microphone stand on one foot.

Preston you selfish son of a bitch. Didn't yo momma ever tell you to share??? How bout spreading some of the talent around.