Tag Archives: funk and soul

Prince 101: Let’s Work

[I’ve tried to load a live clip from Prince in the early 80s doing “let’s work” and I’m unable to make a digital connection.  You’ll have to search for that tune yourself. I suggest the live eighties versions with Prince in a unitard. ]

“Let’s work” is an understatement from the enigmatic Prince.  His output is stunning.  I probably a dozen good Prince albums.  Prince certainly worked.

You’ve got to work.  You’ve got to work to be funky.  You’ve got to work to be real.  You have to work to be anything.

James Brown: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.”

But this is the least indulgent song imaginable.  This is emblematic of funk-a-teers going to work. Militarily precise in the application of snare and slap bass.  Dance floor mandatory!  With just enough swing to make sure you know it came from the land of 8 billion lakes or where ever Prince is from.

The real power of Prince is that if you are open and aware then you have to acknowledge his brilliance.

Also suggested is the Wax Poetics Alan Leeds article about tour managing Prince.

 

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Soul night 8: funky good times

Above you can see Matt Jackson jamming out to DJ Mantease.  Stars of the Missing Link Soul Night.

Arcata June 15.  Good party thrown at humbrews.  Sold out during the summer with fewer students around.  I love the locals!  Thanks to ya.  DJ Zephyr gave a great set to open the party.  I love that Stevie Wonder tune!  I played some 45s and danced and drank with the people!

1. Rhythm Masters – I can do anything you can do

2. Syl Johnson – Goodie goodie good times.

3. John Roberts – sock it to me 1-2-3-4

4. Willie Henderson – loose booty

5. Lou Tobie  – Heavy steppin’

6. Kool and the gang – Kool and the gang

7. Dorothy Oma and Zepha – Put it on you

8. Sugarpie deSanto – Git back

9. Pointer Sisters – betcha got a chick on the side

10. Willie Mitchell – My babe

11. Etta James – Tell mama

12. Jodi Gales – push

13. BW Souls – Marvin’s groove

14. Nino & seventh avenue – roll it

15. Bobby Powell – peace begins within

16. Ann Peebles – I can’t stand the rain.

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Junior: Mama used to say

Greatest. Green screen video. Ever.

 

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Mighty Hannibal: Jerkin’ the dog

Best part about this video is Hannibal’s shoes.  Stunning.

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Sisters Love – Mr. Fix-it man

It’s a dark and dreary day here.  Excellent for classic soul, lip synching, fighting slugs, and getting down.

To you and yours!

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Soul Night 6: Missing Link saved my soul

Matt, Adam and DJ Mantease cavorting, sporting and speaking at Soul Night 5.

Arcata California on April twenty, Humboldt Brews.   Sold out a few days before, the gig was ridiculous.  So many good dancers and hot tracks.  Despite being 420, I was pretty inspired to keep the party focused on the dancing.  I think the music and the people who come to party are the central part of this gig, and I worry about theme parties overshadowing or distracting from that core.  So I loaded my set with a few favorites and a few new acquisitions.

Mantease played global smashers with a few soul songs blended in.  I think I heard Sugarpie DeSanto blended with some afrobeat.  It was captivating and kept me on the dance floor.  Jaymorg was just foolish.  Sporting Run-DMC glasses and a bevy of killer 45s he just knocked ’em out.  The Syl Johnson track does it for me.  I’m going try to convince him to play that every soul night.

I dropped a little set of disco, go-go, and funky soul.  The highlight was pretty much the Trouble Funk tune – almost ten minutes long — it gave the dancers enough time to make it happen.  Congas and cowbell are non-negotiable ass-movers even in 2012.

1. Barry White – standing in the shadow of love

2. Lonnette McKee – Save it

3. B.W. Souls – Marvin’s Groove

4. J. R. Bailey – We need love

5. Gladys Knight & the Pips – Good man

6. Dyke and the Blazers – Runaway people

7. Stormy – devastator

8.  David Robinson – Carpenter

9. Eddie Bo – Can I be your main squeeze

10.  Dorothy, Oma & Zepha – Gonna put it on your mind

11. Ted Taylor – how do  you walk away from fear

12. Curtis Mayfield – beautiful brother of mine

13. Chuck Brown – game seven part 1

14. Trouble Funk – Get small (live)

15. Ron and Candy – Plastic situation

Then Matt and Adam supercharged the crowd with some jump blues, jam down soul and serious tracks.  Danced my butt off!

Thanks to all the supporters, participants, Humbrews, Brad the bartender (CHEERS!), and all the dancing people.  We’ll see you next month.

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Soul Night Arcata April 20

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Full moon party Thursday March 8 Trinidad CA

Thanks to yogateacher for the image of the moon.

Thursday March 8.  Full moon party at the fantastic Ocean Grove in Trinidad CA.  DJ Knuts, King Maxwell, DJ Mantease, Matt & Adam, and Jaymorg bring the funk and soul vinyl party.  Stiff drinks, giant redwoods, wild locals, phenomenal tunes, and a full moon.  It should be a nice evening.

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