Funkways' Seattle Summer Top Ten
Needless to say, right now there is not much of a live music scene in Seattle since all the nightclubs have been closed and all the festivals have been cancelled. This is sad, but I am hopeful about the Seattle music community coming together to weather this storm. There have been web-based concerts and performances set up that are on the technological cutting-edge allowing musicians to play and perform live with each other and in real-time on the web that were developed here in Seattle. A great example of this is www.liveconcertsstream.com, developed by True Loves saxophonist Gordon Brown, who is also the featured sax player for the "Impeach the President" track on the playlist below. This platform, along with relief funds being raised and distributed among our local artists has allowed many members of the community to continue to hone their chops, compose, produce, and practice their craft. I also have a sense that a great deal of deep heartfelt and emotional original music is being generated in folks’ private studios as we speak. The United States of America has yet to atone for its ‘twin sins’ of genocide and enslavement, and until we do, we all continue to watch in horror as black men are lynched on camera on our streets at the hands of racist police, enabled by corrupt politicians. In heartfelt response to this all-too-common occurrence here in the U.S., Currently in Seattle, demonstrators are occupying 6 blocks of a neighborhood surrounding the abandoned Seattle Police precinct in Capitol Hill and have set up a self-described autonomous zone. In the zone the demonstrators are attempting to present to the world a picture of a peaceful and productive area in a way similar to the occupy wall street demonstrations. There have been speeches, poetry readings, music and dancing, free food, medical supplies, a library, and even vegetable gardens have been planted in the public green spaces. trump has labeled these demonstrators domestic terrorists, and he has warned that if local officials don't clear them out, he will, which is a chilling (and illegal) prospect. The following playlist represents Seattle groups who play music that was invented, and re-invented by Black people. For us, Black Lives Matter forever and without black art, black thought, and black innovation, we would not be able to do what we do.
10: LUCKY BROWN & the S.G.’s featuring KATE OLSON
“PECAN TREES SPEAK…”
TRAMP RECORDS
"Pecan Trees Speak To Each Other" is dedicated to everyone who shares messages of peace and solidarity with the masses who struggle for freedom in our backyard and across the globe. Sometimes in secret, and sometimes out loud and in the streets, these messages are being delivered all around us, in myriad ways, and we are delivering this message to you with our music, from our hearts: Fight Fascism, Fight Racism, End Misogyny, Abolish White Supremacy, Protect the Environment.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdRRFBBKYh8
Bandcamp: https://tramprecords.bandcamp.com/album/pecan-trees-speak-to-each-other
9: KATE OLSON
“WAY OUT”
Kate Olson is the protagonist of our modal rock fusion/spiritual jazz escapade, “Pecan Trees…”, She is a brilliant, accomplished, and award winning composer/performer in her own right and leads several bands, as well as lends her beefy baritone sax to Oliver Klomp’s WEST SEATTLE SOUL project. Before venues were shut down for health concerns during the recent Covid-19 crisis, Kate told me she was playing her own original music with her own groups most nights of the week. It was a total honor to have her lend her spirit to our tune.
This YouTube clip is the video version of her Monk-ish track “WAY OUT” from her recently released album, LIVE AT THE ROYAL ROOM:
Also check out her one-woman saxophone ensemble piece “QUARANTINE BOOGIE”:
Bandcamp: https://kosolo.bandcamp.com
8: CECIL MOSES & THE S.G.'s
“SUPERHERO’S DELIGHT”
COLOR RED RECORDS
Who can unravel the mystery of Cecil Moses? Well, until then, The S.G.’s, (“Seattle Group” ala M.G.’s = Memphis Group) have been Lucky Brown’s number-one rhythm section since 2016, when he enlisted the Seattle soul jazz quartet to assist him in rendering his MESQUITE SUITE. Colin Higgins (guitar) was an early member of the DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO, and Marc Hager (keys) and Bob Heinemann (Bass) appear on Lucky Brown’s MYSTERY ROAD album as well as drummer Oliver Klomp, who has played with Lucky since 2006 and now leads his own funk supergroup WEST SEATTLE SOUL aka THE PULSATIONS who, until the pandemic, had been running a monthly funk and soul cover night for the past two years in West Seattle.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKvhOYE0ezg
7: WEST SEATTLE SOUL/PULSATIONS
“BLACK RIVER”
COLOR RED RECORDS
Black River is the collaboratively-written original that flanks their world renowned self-released “Soul Makossa” 45 on Magik Carpet/Color Red Records. Magik Carpet (Oliver Klomp’s place) is the West Seattle based carpet that Lucky Brown’s MYSTERY ROAD was recorded upon. Countless jam sessions, rehearsals, barbecue dinners, record listenings, and philosophical discussions have also taken place upon this truly magical Magik Carpet. Jason Gray, Bass player for POLYRHYTHMICS produced this one, as well as seven other releases on this list! Ha!
Youtube: https://youtu.be/cAcj7jPN2KM
6: POLYRHYTHMICS
“THE CUTDOWN”
COLOR RED RECORDS
This delicious Ben Bloom (guitar) groove, which starts out echoing the Poets’ “Strokin The Grits,” evolves into a distinct space and time that only the 8-piece Polyrhythmics can delve. They are definitely one of Seattle’s hottest and well-followed groups, and I think that’s because Seattle seems to know they are about to go worldwide. Before the pandemic, these guys were bringing the funk to all corners of the United States and poised to go even farther. Absolutely every last tune on this, their most recent genre-crushing album, is so choice.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hXNxHGwCxg
Bandcamp: https://polyrhythmics.bandcamp.com/track/the-cutdown
5: REZIN TOOTH
“HEADY YETI”
WAX THEMATIQUE
Ah, the super-secret-never-meant-to-be-released POLYRHYTHMICS side project led by Nathan Spicer (keys/co-producer). This album is sonic resin that will go straight to your head. A brilliant collaboration with an intensely globally and culturally conscious Seattle label you should definitely keep your eye on: WAX THEMATIQUE.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/1i1PFnBDnMw
Bandcamp: https://waxthematique.bandcamp.com/track/heady-yeti
4: FYSAH & THE GET DOWN UNDERGROUND
“IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT”
WE COAST RECORDS
I would certainly be remiss if I did not mention the bulwark of Seattle Funk, WeCoast Records. Specializing in my absolute favorite format, the seven-inch single, WeCoast represents a cross section of Seattle's black music diaspora with an incredibly deep and wide musical catalog that is quickly gaining worldwide notoriety. I think this honorable cover of the classic Honeydrippers anthem speaks for itself.
Bandcamp: https://fysahthegetdownunderground.bandcamp.com/album/impeach-the-president
3: 45th St. BRASS featuring D’VONNE LEWIS
“THE PURSUANCE”
Peter Daniel (saxophone) and his 45th St. Brass project represent another cross section of the Seattle Scene in one group. This tune, which features in-demand bandleader and composer D’vonne Lewis on drums and emcee, exemplifies its grandeur in only a minute and a half. They continue a long Seattle tradition of blending genres, but do it with their own swerve as a brass band, jazz band, funk band, show band, recording project and pop group that can morph and change to suit whatever musical need arises. Even their name is about the scene, since 45th St. is where one of the nightclubs specializing in the Black music diaspora where we all go to play is located. Check out D’vonne’s projects INDUSTRIAL REVELATION and his LIMITED EDITION combo as well.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPJ-HNM2CQ
Bandcamp: https://45thstbrass.bandcamp.com/track/the-pursuance
2: DELVON LaMARR ORGAN TRIO
“FO SHO”
COLEMINE RECORDS
Delvon LaMarr once told me he’s only happy when he’s playing music. That really stuck with me and I knew then that it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world would feel that same kind of happiness Del feels when he’s behind those keys (or drums, or trumpet, or…) Put Seattle’s inimitable Jabrille “Jimmy James” Williams (guitar) in the ring with him and you’ve got yourself a funk supernova with twin stars blazing. Grant Schroff (drums) of Polyrhythmics fame, lends his deep pocket to this latest 45, but former drummer, Dave McGraw, still runs his own true-school soul funk phenomenon The TRUE LOVES along with Jimmy James and Jason Cressey (trombone).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4YMGdUhtWo
1: TRUE LOVES
“FAMOUS LAST WORDS”
COLEMINE RECORDS
True Funk, True Soul, True Groove, True Loves. This band thinks they live in 1971, and every time I have been lucky enough to see them perform, I swear I’ve been whisked off to 1971 myself and I don’t ever wanna come back! These darlings of the Pacific Northwest music community carry a torch of authentic funk and soul that burns so hot, I doubt any band west of the Mississippi could touch it.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJbca9WkJkI
Bandcamp: https://truelovesband.bandcamp.com/album/famous-last-words
