News & Updates — soul/funk

One of the most important Jamaican musical figures was the keyboardist/composer Jackie Mittoo. He was a child prodigy who learned piano at four years old, was leading popular club bands recording sessions for Studio One as a teenager. He became the label's Musical Director and was a founding member of The Skatalites, along with Tommy McCook (who shares a date of birth today). Very much influenced by soul music (such as Booker T & the MG's), he not only held down key roles in The Soul Vendors, Sound Dimension and The Soul Brothers, but he also made some funky records...

He produced Al Green and was an owner, engineer and staff producer for the Memphis-based soul label Hi Records. He also produced albums for Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, Otis Clay and others. Papa Willie Mitchell was a major part of the Southern soul scene and his Hi Records company was one of the most successful independent labels in the world. A Memphis native, Mitchell started playing trumpet at 8 and was writing and arranging music soon after. His early groups included musicians such as Booker Little, Phineas Newborn Jr, Charles Lloyd and George Coleman. He gigged with Elvis...

One of the key figures in bridging the Afro-Cuban/mambo worlds with pop & soul, Willie Bobo was a major player long before he made records under his own name. He played congas, timbales, drum kit and was a charming singer and born performer. His '50s success with the likes of George Shearing, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader led to visibility for his own groups in the '60s. Those bands often featured electric guitar instead of piano, a sound that could range from bang-heavy descargas to sweet schmaltz, ultimately creating the template for boogaloo and Latin jazz to come. William Correa grew...

It's the return of the '70s Funk Rock party! For those that like their rock funky and their funk rocking. It's a Mothership connection and long-hairs are welcome. Come to The Rendezvous, Wednesday March 1 to hear Peace & Rhythm DJs (Andujar, Studebaker Hawk & Bongohead) selecting groovy cuts all from vinyl. Spanning the late '60s to the early '80s we'll be spinning funk rock & heavy funk in all its glory: popular and obscure cuts, psycofunkadelia, the funkiest classic rock, danceable post-punk, groovy psych from around the world, Latin-rock, Afro-rock, native rock, hard rock breaks, fusion and more. Funkadelic,...

Happy birthday to Louie Ramirez, one of the great figures in salsa as a producer, arranger, vibraphone player, percussionist, composer and mentor to many. He's been called "the Quincy Jones of salsa" for the diversity of his work and because he worked with many of the biggest names in salsa including Johnny Pacheco, Charlie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, Tito Rodriguez, Willie Colón, Jimmy Sabater, Hector Lavoe, Fania All Stars,Tipica 73, Sonora Ponceña, Ray Barretto, Sabu Martinez, Ralfi Pagan and many more. If rare grooves of funky salsa and boogaloo is what you want then surely you'll find him working on deep...