Buscrates Brings Real Heart and Soul to Vintage Synth-Funk
In crafting his own brand of hip-hop-inspired instrumental funk, Buscrates proves on his latest album he’s a student of the great producers who’ve come before.
funk
STS9 & Maddy O’Neal Beat the Heat at Area 15’s Secret Garden
STS9, Maddy O’Neal and the Crystal Method team up for a two-night desert dance party at Sin City’s most mystical new venue, Area 51.
Dr. John’s ‘The Montreux Years’ Highlights His Very Best
The 14 performances recorded over 26 years at the Montreux Jazz Festival capture New Orleans’ Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack at the peak of his powers.
Black Thought and El Michels Affair Team Up for Throwback Hip-Hop
El Michels Affair’s Glorious Game blasts through its 12 tracks in a brisk 31 minutes and changes approach but keeps the focus on Black Thought’s verses.
Celebrating Sylvester’s Greatest Hits for Pride 2023
Sylvester’s voice – an otherworldly sonic boom of a voice that climbed to dizzying heights – was a significant force in queer pop culture in the 1970s.
Paula Abdul Found Artistic Growth and Maturity with ‘Spellbound’
Paula Abdul confounded her critics with Spellbound, looking to expand pop hooks and catchy melodies with more esoteric sounds to festoon her state-of-the-art dance-pop.
Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest
Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste bring the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest to a rousing conclusion.
A Certain Ratio Move the Past Into the Future with ‘1982’
A Certain Ratio have always been willing to fiddle with their sound. That they do so in 1982 doesn’t surprise and fits with their rejuvenation in the 2020s.
Galactic Bring Timeless Funk to the Fillmore
Galactic’s inherently futuristic name and innovative approach to blending vintage funk with progressive jamming have made them a timeless band.
Booker T. & the M.G.’s Defined Themselves with ‘Green Onions’
Soul/funk group Booker T. & the M.G.’s might have stumbled onto their best song with “Green Onions”, but this album defined the entire Stax Records sound.
Lettuce Double Down at the Fillmore to Funkify San Francisco
Lettuce tour with Unify, a timely collection utilizing tone sciences and some socially conscious lyrics to urge humanity to unite as one nation under the groove.
Parliament’s Peak: ‘Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome’ Turns 45
The climactic album in Parliament’s space opera about Starchild, Dr. Funkenstein, and Sir Nose d’Voidoffunk, Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, remains their best work.