Tagged: funk

With their snaky rhythms, spooky harmonies and catchy licks, Brooklyn’s Menahan Street Band once again takes the top spot on WEMU’s “Sweet 16” for “The Crossing”.  All of the time spent backing up R&B and soul sensation Charles Bradley has sparked a giant leap of creativity and risk-taking in this leading soul/jazz/funk band. 

The first few weeks of a new year are rough on hosts of free-form music programs.   The big year-end push is over, the holiday recordings are retired and fresh music is yet to arrive in the mail or come via download.  Thankfully at WEMU, we were able to snag some strong new music in late November and early December of 2012 to keep us jamming in to 2013.  One of of our most delightful discoveries was "The Crossing" by The Menahan Street Band".  I wrote a long article on their associations and genesis last week, so for more information check out the previous post. 

"The Crossing", the newest offering for The Menahan Street Band, is a two year journey in music.  The outfit of multi-instrumentalists is the house band for Dunhan Records, a subsidiary of Daptone Records - the label that launched the careers of Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings as well as The Budos Band.   The Menahan Street Band's star rose when their 2008 recording, "Make The Road By Walking" was sampled by hip-hop leaders Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi and more.  In 2011 they backed funky soul sensation Charles Bradley on his highly acclaimed "No Time For Dreaming".  2012 Brought us "The Crossin

Perhaps it was because the lead track on Marcus Miller's new CD "Renaissance" was called "Detroit" that the disc resonated so soundly with WEMU listeners and staff.  Whatever the reason, it has become a fast favorite of listeners and staff alike. 

When The Dirty Dozen Brass Band returned to Southeastern Michigan for a show at The Magic Bag Theater, WEMU hosts seized the opportunity to play selections from one of their favorite bands of all times.  We doubt that WEMU listeners minded hearing the ensemble again, as the band was beloved at venues such as The Ark, The Frog Island Music Festival, The Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival and Sully's in Dearborn. 

Once again, the WEMU staff and listener favorite, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band top our "Sweet Sixteen".

WEMU “SWEET SIXTEEN” AIRPLAY June 25 to July 1, 2012: 

LINDA YOHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR 

1.    DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND  "Twenty Dozen"  (Savoy Jazz)

2.    JOHNNIE BASSETT  “I Can Make That Happen”   (Sly Dog Records)

3.    BÉLA FLECK AND THE MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO   “Across The Imaginary Divide”  (Rounder)

4.    ESPERANZA SPALDING   “Radio Music Society”  (Heads Up/Montuno)

A WEMU listener favorite since 1984 - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band claims the top spot on this week's "Sweet 16".  This is encouraging news as "Twenty Dozen" is their first release on a brand new record label.  WEMU is proud to support this band which started the international trend of contemporary music arranged for traditional brass band instrumentation. 

WEMU “SWEET SIXTEEN” AIRPLAY June 18 to June 24, 2012: 

LINDA YOHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR 

1.    DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND  "Twenty Dozen"  (Savoy Jazz)

WEMU “SWEET SIXTEEN” AIRPLAY April 30 to May 6, 2012: 

LINDA YOHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR 

1.    DR. JOHN   “Locked Down”  (Nonesuch Records)

2.    JAZZ SOUL SEVEN “Impressions Of Curtis Mayfield” (BFM)

3.    THE SUGARMAN THREE   “What The World Needs Now”   (Daptone)

4.    JON CLEARY   “Occapella!”   (FHQ Records)

5.    GREGORY PORTER  “Be Good”   (Motema Music)

6.    ERIC BIBB   “Deeper In The Well”   (Stony Plain Records)

7.    GALACTIC  “Carnivale Electricos”  (Anti-)