Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'funk'

West African Finds At The WFMU Record Fair

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:57:00 EST

While most regional record fairs have been replaced with gigantic mega-shows, the WFMU Record Fair in New York City still offers the collector a chance to find unknown minimal-synth seven-inches from Germany, random rap 12-inches from the Bronx's Golden Age, and Japanese Kabuki-psychedelia. Listen to five obscure West African funk, highlife, Juju and psychedelia tracks from the 1970s.

Whistle-Rock, Pink Floyd Jazz, West African 'Funk' And More

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:33:00 EST

We start the new year with a new mix, featuring an exclusive preview of Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast. The classically trained violinist and singer performs a quirky mix of whistled melodies, Gypsy ballads, folk and art-rock. We've got the song "Oh No" here, but you can also hear the entire album as part of our "first listen" series. Also on the show: classic folk-rock singer Benjy Ferree, the Afro-funk rhythms of Chopteeth, an eclectic mixtape from Malawi-born singer Esau Mwamwaya, the haunting guitars of Begushkin, and the jazz trio Bad Plus covers the music of Pink Floyd.

Jake Shimabukuro: Solo Ukulele In Concert

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:38:00 EST

Jake Shimabukuro is a genre-demolishing artist who plays jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco and rock. It's all with the mission of showing everyone that the ukulele is capable of much more than just traditional Hawaiian music. He performs a concert from San Francisco.

Funk From Way South Of The Border

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:48:00 EDT

Many Mexican musicians in the late '60s and early '70s introduced listeners to the "hard" side of funk. These bands played raucous covers of classic hits and composed their own strident songs. This list compiles some of the best and most obscure cuts of the era.

Fujiya & Miyagi Unleashes New Work At CMJ

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:53:00 EDT

In a session recorded by KEXP during the CMJ Music Festival, Fujiya & Miyagi's members play the ambient funk cuts off Lightbulbs. The band closed the set with an unreleased song, "Sick and Tired" — a piano-driven romper that sounds like David Bowie's "Suffragette City" on a heavy krautrock kick.

'Fela!' Celebrates The Father Of Afrobeat

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:58:00 EDT

A new musical by choreographer Bill T. Jones explores the controversial life and legacy of Nigerian musical revolutionary Fela Kuti. Fela pioneered Afrobeat, blending African harmonies and rhythms, jazz, funk (and even a little James Brown) with satirical lyrics criticizing the Nigerian government.

Lost Funk Masterpieces Of Ethiopia

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:23:00 EDT

Record collectors entranced by the otherworldly sounds of Ethiopian funk and jazz of the 1960s and 70s had only rare 45s to slake their thirst until the Ethiopiques series of albums hit US shores in the late 90s. Those albums feature some of the best music to come out of the scene, but still more albums await re-release.

Galactic With Mr. Lif On Mountain Stage

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:34:00 EDT

For its latest album, the New Orleans funk band laced a new element on top of its groove-based jams: hip-hop MCs. On tour, Galactic visited Mountain Stage with one of its guest stars, Boston rapper Mr. Lif.

Benji Hughes: 'Waiting For An Invitation'

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:42:00 EDT

Predictable music is usually the most forgettable. Fortunately for electro-funk artist Benji Hughes, his debut double CD, A Love Extreme, struts with enough ear candy and lyrical surprises to make it one of the year's most memorable releases.

George Duke Puts His Stamp On Funk

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:22:00 EDT

Duke has put out more than 30 albums, which have incorporated jazz, pop, Latin and R&B to critical and commercial success. On his latest album, Dukey Treats, the legendary keyboard player, composer, arranger and bandleader pays tribute to funk, soul and Sly Stone.

Soulive With Fred Wesley, Live At Newport

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:52:00 EDT

The popular funk band teams up with James Brown's arranger and trombonist in a collaboration between two different generations of groove musicians. Hear them perform a set of original jams and classic R&B numbers, live at the Newport Jazz Festival

Culbertson Switches Up the Groove

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Jazz musician Brian Culbertson's back on the music scene with a slightly different flavor with his new album, Bringing Back the Funk. The artist explains why he felt the need to do a funk-style record and how he manages to stay focused, without getting too caught up in the industry.

NOMO: The Sonic Maelstrom Of 'Ghost Rock'

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:06:00 EDT

NOMO has a tiny name, but the group makes a big impression when it drives into town. NOMO is eight musicians from Ann Arbor, Mich., with dozens of instruments and just one van. On Ghost Rock, the octet proves that its jazz- and funk-inspired instrumental music is much more than a Fela Kuti tribute.

Lyrics Born Is 'Everywhere at Once'

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:23:00 EDT

Lyrics Born is a Japanese-American musician making waves in the world of hip hop, by fusing funk, rock, and R&B. But he doesn't like to talk about his ethnic background — except in his songs. He talks with Farai Chideya about his music and new album.

Swedish Jazz Legend Dies at 44

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Swedish jazz pianist Esbjorn Svennson died last week in a scuba diving accident. He was 44 years old. His trio, known as E-S-T, had a large following in Europe. Svennson's music combined elements of hip hop, funk and rock. He was often called the European Keith Jarrett.

Stink Bombs Could Save Lives

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The rotten-egg funk of a stink bomb comes from hydrogen sulfide gas. It's great for clearing a room, and new research shows it may also help heart attack and trauma patients stay alive. David Lefer, a professor of medicine and pathology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, talks with Guy Raz about the medical uses for stinky fumes.

Singer G. Love Plays 'Superhero Brother'

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EDT

Acoustic funk/soul singer-songwriter G. Love stops by The Bryant Park Project's studio to talk and play music from his new album, "Superhero Brother."

Lili Haydn

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Lili Haydn is a bit of an anomaly. She's a singer-songwriter, but she doesn't play guitar or piano. Haydn is a violinist who mixes classical influences with rock and funk. Musician David Was shares his thoughts about her latest recording, called Places Between Places.

Vocalist Veronica Nunn on Piano Jazz

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:28:00 EDT

Veronica Nunn grew up absorbing all kinds of music, from jazz to funk to gospel. When she moved to New York in 1978, she split her time between Harlem's Jazz clubs and the theology department at Lehman College. Now a full time jazz singer and accompanied by her pianist and husband, Travis Shook.

Devastations' 'Mistakes' Simmer and Shimmer

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:26:00 EDT

Equal parts sin and salvation, Devastations' Yes, U reaches its noirish climax with "Mistakes." Starting with an electronic drumbeat and a dissonant squall before sliding into slow-burning funk and the dispassionate mantra of "I make mistakes," it's unclear whether the song leads down the path to temptation or the road to recovery.

Was (Not Was) Still Is

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EDT

For nearly 30 years, David Weiss and Don Fagenson have melded funk and absurdity as Was (Not Was). They talk with Scott Simon about their latest album, Boo!, the first in more than 15 years.

Second Avenue Deli: Return of an Institution

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:14:00 EDT

When New York lost one of its top contenders for Best Pastrami Sandwich, foodies around the country went into a funk. But big eaters can rejoice: The Second Avenue Deli is back and as delicious as ever.

Prince Defines Hip in a New Way

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST

Prince will soon receive a hip replacement, Britain's News of the World tabloid reported this week. Perhaps one too many grinds took their toll on the hard-working funk 'n' roll artist. Will his purple reign end?

Trombone Shorty Stays True to New Orleans

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:26:00 EST

While many musicians love the Crescent City, few choose to stay after they become successful. The New Orleans-raised Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews comes from a long line of brass-band greats, but is quickly coming into his own with a jazz-funk group -- and plans to stay.

Yeasayer: '2080'

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:43:00 EST

Yeasayer is making some of the year's most interesting and infectious music. Describing their sound as "Middle Eastern-Psych-Pop-Snap-Gospel", the Brooklyn-based group creates huge waves of sound with a vibe that's both primitive and modern. Dark melodies are set against world funk rhythms.