Funky fun & a great Rose

June is kind of a rough month for my family. A lot of deaths seem to have happened during this period and we commemorate them in a number of ways. So, I think we need some “happy music” tonight. It’s all about funky fun. Part of the reason I like this type of music is funk and disco is heavily dependent on a solid bass line, and being a bassist, I love it and used to play it. Lots of classics and good stuff like Rocco Prestia with Tower of Power as well as his solo effort. What ever you do, if you like bass, don’t stop before you get to the selection with Larry Graham, the former bassist for Sly and the Family Stone and, in my opinion, the one who first introduced the music world to slap bass. So, get your groove on and dance!

Commodores:

Brick House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EmnQp3V48

Tower of Power:

What is Hip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQE5vwlRYHA

Soul with a capital S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpMW7WrUW4o

Rocco Prestia

I got the sauce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6AiweWuQTM

Squibb Cakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPRHX9OZ3_w

Wild Cherry:

Play that funky music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe1ScoePqVA

Kool and the gang:

Celebration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

Jungle Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57oBC_WLsYA

Sister Sledge:

We are family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNAQ8LLptUo

Michael Jackson:

Black or white: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0

Don’t stop till you get enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yURRmWtbTbo

Rock with you:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0

Earth Wind, & Fire:

Boogie Wonderland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jLGa4X5H2c

September: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs069dndIYk

Shining Star: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl-WSmryfSY

Patty LaBelle:

Lady Marmalade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4LWIP7SAjY

Taste of Honey:

Booogie Oogie Oogie:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGeKXD12sto

Peaches & Herb:

Shake your groove thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP0rnElZXa0

Stevie Wonder:

Boogie on Reggae Woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJCo2aCXAeA

Superstition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

Part time lover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6LLGePYwM

KC and the Sunshine Gang:

Boogie Shoes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux2WXNsqfe8

Shake, Shake, Shake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZOYt5kH9Q

Get Down Tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7RRLC5slLo

Ohio Players:

Love Rollercoaster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkVV9xxCHE

Skin Tight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_M0k9ez_uI

Parliment Funkadelic:

Bring the funk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjKFCYzqq-A

Temptations:

Shakey Ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eET1ye8gYmo

Isley Brothers:

Fight the Power: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tLp3p4okmg

Larry Graham:

Dance to the music:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF9_7QB7X6A

The Jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAUUigifAnM

Pow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IuD6F3R5I

Moves like Jagger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgjcnzeIq2c

The funk/disco era was an unpretentious time, so let’s go with an unpretentious wine and a great one for summer. It’s Trader Joe’s Petite Reserve Napa Valley Rose ($7.00), a great wine for summer sipping. It has nice strawberry and rhubarb aromas that follow on the palate. Not too dry, not too sweet, but just right. Although I review some fancy wines, I’m not ashamed to say this is one of my summer favs. Grab a bottle or six and boogie oogie oogie til you just can’t boogie no more.

Cheers!

Zach Deputy & a Summer Rose

Since this is a holiday/party week with the Fourth of July falling in the middle, I thought I present a really different sort of artist tonight. Zach Deputy is literally a one-man band. He hails originally from the coast of South Carolina with family roots in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. He grew up listening to Cruzan rhythms, folk songs, blues, and American roots music, which he’s fused into a unique musical form. To bring this sound to the stage, he uses looping technology to transform his “band” into a one-man dance party playing what he calls "Island-infused, Drum 'n' Bass, Gospel-Ninja-Soul."

While others may employ similar technology, I’ve never heard anyone quite like Zach fusing thumping rhythms, funk guitar, beat box, and a soulful voice with a 4+ octave range. He looks like he’s having a lot of fun during his performances and it’s infectious.

His base is in Hilton Head, South Carolina, but playing 250-300 shows a year means he lives mostly out of a small box truck because he plays almost every night of the year and with that kind of a schedule, he’ll probably be playing a gig near you one of these days. Don’t miss him!

Magic Carpet Ride/Sex Machine/Give Up The Funk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJmQ7kdBodA&feature=relmfu

Tube Steak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rACg0n1B7B0&feature=relmfu

Put it in the Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXaIFV_KaXc&feature=fvwrel

Coconut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRF7VuJNKRY&feature=relmfu

Little bit of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnv1nLFSxtk&feature=relmfu

That Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k5RLXV1jHs&feature=relmfu

Rescue Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmkE2mEJ90A&feature=related

She Says: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWCS7H1X6e0&feature=relmfu

Act that way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6zhUX0-IYI&feature=relmfu

Twisty Twisty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NcnZyJI1l8&feature=fvwrel

Let’s Dance, Let’s Shout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jf85tlkRHo&feature=related

Summer has hit Nebraska with a vengeance with temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and dew points approaching 80 degrees. That means it’s Rose time and tonight I have a very nice one, especially at $6.00 a bottle. The 2011 Marques de Caceres Rosé is 80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache. It’s a great warm-night quaffer with aromas of strawberries, raspberries and lavender. It’s a crisp, balanced wine with lots of strawberry juiciness. Very refreshing and remember to serve it cold. I found it at Trader Joe’s. So head on out to the deck tonight with a bottle of Marques de Caceres Rosé and boogie along with Zach. I’ll just tap my toes as my new deck has some very cool lights and I don’t want the neighbors to be damaged for life watching me dance. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Alain Caron & Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

I feels like this week just keeps dragging on and on, so who better to kick us through the last two days of the week than one of my favorite bassists, namely the Canadian Alain Caron. Alain’s career took off when he won an amateur music contest at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he discovered jazz, the musical style that became his passion in life.

In 1977, he began playing with a group of musicians who eventually formed the super fusion band UZEB. The group called Montreal its home and Alain began doing side work as a studio musician and jamming in jazz clubs when the group was idle. Eventually, this self-taught musician found his way to Boston’s Berklee School of Music where he performed nightly with the likes of David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bob Moses.

He returned to Montreal to focus mainly on UZEB as the group gradually evolved into a more mature band, playing sophisticated fusion. Between 1981 and 1990 UZEB recorded ten albums and sold over 400,000 copies, performing concerts in more than 20 countries.

Caron has toured with Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Tiger Okoshi, Billy Cobham, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna, Don Alias and Gino Vannelli performing concerts in more than 30 countries

In 2007 The University of Quebec, awarded him an honorary doctorate and he is the only musician to have ever received this honor. As of today, Alain has released more than 20 records, solo or with the group UZEB as well as 25 recordings with collaborators or as a guest artist. He was ranked Best Bass player for 10 years in the row by magazine The Jazz Report. I could go on and on, but I think his music says it all. Enjoy!

Turkey loose:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uin7Clzs4

No left turn on Tuesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Vbc4MOsq0&feature=related

Signal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mhfXJp-y4&feature=related

Slam the clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bu8TVgRJtk&feature=related

D-Code: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL1Vc5-YHh4&feature=related

Solitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ZuraldENM&feature=related

Trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxwU0T52aY4&feature=related

Feel the bass day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-oOUFWzxE&feature=related

Grand Café: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92j-4PSjd6g&feature=related

Cross Checking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4c_BlnZHVg&feature=related

The Bump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XoF9P9Cm4&feature=related

Donna Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4Z1JFUX-g&feature=related

I’m pairing Alain with a 2009 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Napa Valley. Chad makes spectacular Cab’s and this one is especially good. The deep purple wine explodes with a bouquet of raspberry and boysenberry. It’s dense on the attack with lots of purple fruit, cassis, and supple tannins.  I bought a case of it thinking it would last through the winter. It won’t. It’s a wonderful pick-me-up for a dreary week, especially paired with the music of Alain Caron. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, & Victor Wooten and Duck Pond Pinot Noir

It’s Saturday night, so I though it was time to roll out this blog episode that I’ve been saving for a while. Three of my favorite bassists, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten make for superstar lineup like I’ve never seen. Wish I could have been at the concert, but I’ll settle for the CD entitled Thunder. I would suggest you plug into a giant subwoofer and crank it to get the feel of the bass. The second tune, Thunder is a killer. Marcus Miller is the master of funk slap bass. And catch Victor with the wah wah pedal. I smile when I see six foot-five Stanley Clark playing a short 30-inch scale Alembic bass with his monster hands. All of them are incredible. Time to party!

Beat It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2HOkpKr520&feature=related

Thunder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QST9Joizdjs&feature=related

Maestros de las frecuencias bajas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvRPsiHBXCo&feature=related

Shake your body: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Wt7174-Gk&feature=related

Stanley on upright bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL58vXSeRpI&feature=related

Victor’s solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufKGXWjCaCw&feature=related

Mongoose Walk Studio version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLMKZaWlBI&feature=related

Hillbillies on a quiet afternoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0UGTQZg7v4&feature=related

Classic thumb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDqLHq4Sp-Q&feature=related

Silly putty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIPJkLvPzjY&feature=related

Pendulum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksfggam361M&feature=related

Lil Victa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzqHKYAS4Ok&feature=related

Maestros & talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWeIi5skqfU&feature=related

I have to confess I bought this wine because the label was cute, but the 2009 Duck Pond Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($22.00) is a great match for groovin to tonight’s artists. The nose is full of red fruit with plenty of floral notes. It’s soft and smooth on entry with flavors of cherry, cherry pit, and a touch of my grandmother’s lingonberry jam accompanied by a vein of vanilla. It finishes with cherry pie and mulled spices that seem to go on forever. It’s a very nice wine to go with three of my favorite bassists. Feel the funk and enjoy!

Cheers!

Petteri Sariola and FlipFlop Pinot Noir

Pete Sarriola is a crazy young Finnish acoustic guitarist. The way he simultaneously slaps, taps, and picks the drum, bass, rhythm, and lead parts reminds me a bit of Kotaru Oshio, who appears in one of the videos. Oh yeah, sometimes he sings, too. As you’ll hear in one of the videos, he tried to form a band, but it didn’t work out, so he plays all the parts himself. He has a background in classical music that expanded to pop, rock, and you-name-it. But most of all, I would describe his music and style as acoustic funk. In 2005 he became youngest artist to receive the Nokia Young Talent Scholarship. He’s quite the funkmeister and I hope you enjoy him

Prime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niu_3H_6ISw

Stomp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDE-RpdWzBw&feature=related

Valve #3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS3g3TlRMH0&feature=related

Prime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkat6pTLIWc&feature=related

Distorted Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSN0d9jmNsk&feature=related

Guitar Fight Club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czH17pJt2WQ&feature=related

Beating your guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en-3oL2c0uU

Silence:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuu1bwShjs4

Mothers song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McrzCtAkvGU&feature=related

Beat of the week #3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epRQ332JfbE&feature=related

With Kotaru Oshio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNtAb0FNORc&feature=related

Silence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4vjwCSrHCc&feature=related

Rietberg #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDPxm-tCuYA&feature=related

With Adam Rafferty and Ulli  Boegerhausen, the Way You Make Me Feel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5cbHPcmvC8

Pete’s a lighthearted fun kind of guy, so I suggest we accompany him with one of my favorite varieties of fun wines from FlipFlop. Their Pinot Noir is a light wine with a red fruit nose and lots of cherry and spice on the palate. Very nice finish for a wine that costs only seven bucks. Weekend’s almost here, so enjoy!

Cheers!