0 comments ,

In Memory of Ronald “Khalis” Bell

Khalis
I can’t recall the last time my legs actually gave out underneath me but hearing about the passing of Ronald “Khalis” Bell… From the age of 8, when I first discovered Kool & the Gang’s Wild and Peaceful album in my mom’s collection, this man, his compositions and that band shaped the soundtrack of my life. I’ve said it a million times before, but everything I’ve ever done musically began with a Kool & the Gang album. Having my dad drive me deep into Jersey to find their early out of print albums and studying their catalog note for note are what come to mind when I try to reconnect with my love for music. Khalis is on the Mt. Rushmore of funk saxophonists, horn chart creators and composers and stands as one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time.
I never figured that years later I’d have the honor to meet this man on multiple occasions and tell him what his music did for me both as a musician and as a person. And finally chances to get all of those records my dad drove me all over the place to find signed. To hear stories directly from him about “Pneumonia” being written backstage at The Sex Machine night club or “Funky Stuff,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging” all being cut the same day. I remember driving home from that totally floored, telling my dad in disbelief on the phone because he knew what sitting down to speak to this man meant to me. THE Ronald “Khalis” Bell. I feel like part of me is gone right now, but he’s given me and all of us so much brilliant music and all of his gifts – which are enough to last forever. My condolences to the entire Kool and the Gang family. Thank you, Khalis.
J and Khalis
IMG_7312

0 comments

Still Alive!

In the age of Covid, the summer ain’t about much musically but a higher electric bill. But behind the scenes there’s some stuff happening. Most important, the completion and submission of The Du-Rites’ fifth LP, A Funky Bad Time, for manufacturing. 12 slices of pandemic-fueled, nasty funk. Album will be released in November. Pablo and I are both inspired and excited, which many musicians aren’t these days and understandably so. But you take it when it comes. Pre-orders begin in October. So for now, we’re just getting all the boring stuff together. Stay tuned. In other news, I recently jammed with Ben Pirani and The Means of Production for the first time since March. We grooved responsibly (masked and distanced) and it further proved there’s nothing like playing with other musicians. Here’s a brief clip of the jam session as a bit of “content” (I hate that word) to hold over till The Du-Rites’ album roll out and other things in September. Stay safe!

 

0 comments , , ,

J-Zone + Lord Finesse’s Motown State of Mind

state of mind

In the summer of 1990 I bought Lord Finesse’s Funky Technician tape on Jamaica Ave and memorized the whole thing in about a month. 30 summers later I’m proud to be playing some drums on his new project, Motown State of Mind, out today! And as someone who grew up on my mom’s Motown records, to have my work on a record with a Motown label brings it all full circle. To work with people and pillars who’ve been inspiring me for 30+ years doing what I love most is one of the main reasons I’m still in this crazy business. Having my name next to Willie Hutch in the credits don’t feel bad either. And all the talented folks involved in this project. The tune I played on is called “Now Is The Time” by Sisters Love, originally appearing in the film The Mack.

Buy on Apple Music

Stream on Spotify 

Watch the mini-doc about the making of the album:

 

IMG_1252

 

0 comments

New Music: The Du-Rites – “Jheri Curl” b/w “Du-Vibrations” 7″ (Out Now)!

du-rites_jheri-curl-GLO

So The Du-Rites recorded two tunes for a 7″ single back in the winter and submitted them for manufacturing. In the time it takes for a vinyl record to be pressed (3-4 months), we’ve seen the passing of Kobe Bryant, a fire destroy the plant that supplies the vinyl record industry with its supplies, a global pandemic and total shutdown unlike anything I’ve seen – with a surreal and painful daily update of the casualties, many of whom inspired us musically and/or we knew personally – and the final blow of long-standing police brutality and racism knocking America on its ass.

And with all that, our new release, “Jheri Curl” b/w “Du-Vibrations” is not reflective of turbulent times. Actually, the opposite. But that’s what can happen when you release music in this format while the world moves in real time. Or, with a positive spin, maybe our ode to the greasy 1980s hairstyle (that’s yet to go retro) is the well-needed funk release from all the turbulence that you actually need?

Click here to listen for yourself (Bandcamp). If you dig it, you can buy the 7″!

The B-Side is funky, too. And a glimpse of where our upcoming fifth album was going before the world went dark and took our music with it.

Streaming crowd: “Jheri Curl” is also on Spotify and Apple Music. “Du-Vibrations” will be there in July.

2 comments

The Du-Rites: “Du-Vibrations” Video Teaser

New music from The Du-Rites on Friday June 12th! The “Jheri Curl” b/w “Du Vibrations” 7” (and digital) will be for sale on our Bandcamp. It’s both greasy and funky! Here’s a brief video clip of the making of the b-side, “Du-Vibrations.” See you in two days!

0 comments

“9 Classic Breaks” – A Warm-Up Routine

Here’s a routine I use to warm-up sometimes. It’s essentially a fun montage of well-known/classic drum riffs that I run through to get my brain going. From Kool and the Gang to Paul Simon to Al Green to Lou Donaldson, there’s some iconic drum grooves in there that have helped define music over the last 50 years. I cite some of the original nuances as well as adding my own transitions and idiosyncrasies to glue it together. Enjoy.

 

« Older Entries Newer Entries »