I’ve often complained about the a lack of funk platforms in the podcast world – and an over-proliferation of gossip/nostalgia podcasts, but that’s another post – so it’s very cool to be on the 40 Minutes of Funk Podcast! Hit that link or find it on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s what it’s about:
“Jay Mumford and Pablo Martin from The Du-Rites team up to talk about 1970s cleaning companies, identifying hip-hop source records, drumming on pillows, blizzard jams, getting booed off stage, trolling gear heads, Danger Mouse’s keyboard collection, and African thumb pianos, plus they reveal why they’re the “Steely Dan of Funk…”
A lot of funny stories and behind the scenes Du-Rites stuff, as well as a deep dive on my now defunct Give the Drummer Some Podcast on Red Bull Music Academy some years back after Pablo had to run toward the end of the interview.
February 26th ain’t the easiest day for me. Having the same birthday as my Dad was the greatest 1 in 365 odds, but since he passed…not having that call is jarring to say the least. So the new Du-Rites record drops the day after our birthday to honor him – this one’s for you, Pop. Thanks for being the best Dad and for the gift of music…and being indirectly responsible for the birth of The Du-Rites by putting that Sonor Safari drum set in the basement in 2011, a time when I needed to clear the cache and start over more than ever. He always knew me better than I knew myself, but that’s how Pisces do.
The Du-Rites’ Tenement EP is out everywhere today…all DSPs (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and on wax with Village Live Records. Both our Bandcamp and theirs, though ours is just about sold out of the vinyl. If we run out (and overseas folks as well), hit up Village Live! Thanks to my funk brother, Pablo Martin, Village Live for believing in the Du-Rites, Bruce, Seth and Sami for their contributions to the record and everyone who’s supported us over the last decade. (Yes, our debut dropped in 2016.) Time flew like a MF. Enjoy!
As anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m very weary of podcasts at this point, lol. But this was a lot of fun! I’m short on words these days, but one way to get me talking is to get into funk music and funk drumming / rhythm sections. Then, the coffee starts perking. Honored to be on the inaugural episode of Black Etc., a new podcast from Ian Yusef. It’s a long one, but a good one. Enjoy!
The Du-Rites send a shout out all yuh’s who pre-ordered the new 10” on Bandcamp – we tightened up on these tape guns and got your records out a month ahead of street date. We thoroughly appreciate you all for your ongoing support. Our 8th full length since 2016 is called Tenement. Here’s the latest single “In Du Time” with our extended funk fam Chef Seth on flute. We’re running low on stock but if you’d like to pick up a copy of the 10″ on vinyl, there’s some on our Bandcamp (U.S. orders only)
This is a collaboration with Village Live Records. All folks in the UK, EU and worldwide outside the U.S., hit up Village Live’s Bandcamp.
Tenement is out everywhere and on all streaming platforms on February 27.
The Du-Rites: “Tenement” 10″ EP vinyl/digital pre-order is now live on our Bandcamp page! And so is the second single, “5 on the Floor”. This one’s a special collaboration with Village Live Records (UK). 10″s are a specialty for the most part, but we went for it in 2021 for the Pressure EP and it seemed to be a good fit for The Du-Rites’ aesthetic. This one features an obi strip (a first for us) and comes in black wax and clear transparent as well. The latter is sold exclusively at the Village Live Bandcamp and we’ll have them at our live shows once it drops officially on February 27, 2026. Our Bandcamp has bundles of Tenement with our back catalog if you’re looking to catch up on our older stuff. Depending what you’re looking for and where you’re at in the world – saving on shipping is REAL – pick up your copy via our Bandcamp or Village Live’s…the choice is yours!
Check out “5 on the Floor” on Spotify or Apple Music (or Tidal, etc.). Here’s a bit about the new record:
NYC funk combo The Du-Rites – Jay Mumford (drums, keys, kalimba & percussion) and Pablo Martin (guitar, bass, keys & percussion) – cranked out seven funk albums in six years. After 2022’s Plug It In, they continued working, but chilled on releasing music for a bit. Jay worked as a session drummer (Gnarls Barkley, Kelly Finnigan, Just Blaze, etc.), was sampled by Vampire Weekend and toured with guitarist Adrian Quesada. Pablo toured as a guitarist with veteran UK singer-songwriter Belouis Some, producing and composing when not on the road. When not on stage and in studio with others, the pair maintained their weekly residency in NYC and released a handful of digital singles to keep ideas flowing. But after a three year hiatus from making albums, their new EP, Tenement (on UK-based Village Live Records), is a lean, mean funk machine.
Guest flautist Seth Hachen compliments the twists and turns of the abstract “In Du Time,” while the title track is meat and potatoes instrumental funk. “5 on the Floor” continues the experimentation with its featuring of a kalimba and heavily syncopated, off-kilter drumming, while “Bucky’s Groove” (featuring Bruce Martin of Tom Tom Club on synths) brings it back to basics with b-boy breakbeats. The Du-Rites’ use of guitar and synthesizer tones that are absent from the standard “retro funk” sound are what truly separates them (“Filibuster” and “Super Phunk”), but the dirtiness of the drums keeps things grounded in what funk is about. But above all, Tenement is an exercise in groove. Abstract groove, stank face groove, booty shake groove…it all makes an appearance in the EP’s just under 17 minute run time.
Back at it with Soul Supreme on keys, Skratch Bastid on turntables and me on drums. Switching time signatures and all! Salute to the great John Guerin on drums on the original. And all involved. Enjoy!
Brand Nu Funk! The Du-Rites have been quiet outside of our residency – life’s lifing and other gigs gigging – but today we dropped the first single from our upcoming EP, Tenement. This one’s called “Bucky’s Groove” and it’s a tune in memory of my Dad, who passed away in January. The Du-Rites wouldn’t exist if he didn’t put that Sonor Safari drum kit in the basement in October 2011 and help me find my way back to music. And he was an honorary Du-Rite, so this groove’s for you Pop! On all DSPs.
YouTube, etc. Stay tuned for vinyl and Bandcamp pre-order next month. Much more music and news from The Du’s in the coming months, including our upcoming collaboration with Village Live Records. Special shout to Bruce Martin on the keys!
First Tiny Desk, now KEXP! Another in-studio session with Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodelicos. My first time in the room – and hopefully not my last! Again, grateful to be getting down with his crew.
Adrian Quesada: Guitar, bandleader / Joshy Soul: Keys / Terin Ector: Bass / Trish Toledo, Angelica Garcia and Gaby Moreno: Vocals / and me: drums. Enjoy!
Played my first NPR Tiny Desk Concert! Much love to Adrian Quesada and Boleros Psicodelicos. What a ride it’s been with this crew. This one’s for Dad. Enjoy!
Touring with Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodelicos / Trio Asesino has pretty much kept me sane this year. Totally honored to be in the company of my great fellow musicians and stellar vocalists. Much more to come – till then, here’s our KCRW in studio performance.
Adrian Quesada: Guitar, Musical Director / Joshy Soul: Keys / Terin Ector: Bass / Trish Toledo, Mireya Ramos, Gaby Moreno and Angelica Garcia: Vocals / Me: Drums
