Electric Boogaloo

Reason to Bragg

Hello again, folks. It’s your local purveyors of funk back here to give you an update. I checked out The Temptations and The Four Tops at Chastain Amphiteater last weekend, and boy was it a delight. I only wished I’d seen them sooner, as there are really only one remaining Top as well as one remaining (original) Temptation which still perform with their respective acts. More on that later, though, as I plan on a more detailed show review in the coming days or so.

Right now, it’s time to remind you, if you’re asking yourself, “Why in the hell did I not know about some Motown legends playing in Atlanta?” Well, look no further than our latest What’s Up with What’s Going Down, which runs down these funky events for your convenience. It’s about time for a new one of those, but first I’d like to highlight one of the events on that list, which is coming up this weekend…

Named for late brothers, musicians and locals to Macon, GA, Tate and Brax Bragg, The Bragg Jam is in its 13th year. Initially begun as a healing memorial event of sorts to remember the tragic loss of these brothers, it has really evolved into a musical event of great cultural significance, which says a lot considering the musical impact which Macon has had through the years.

Bragg Jam consists of several events, but is highlighted by Saturday’s Concert Crawl which features 46 bands on 12 stages this year. Sounds like it will be more of a sprint to me, but there is trolley service between the venues and all are relatively close together in downtown Macon. Proceeds have always and will once again go to benefit the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, as they’ve donated over $150,000 to this cause to date.

The Crawl is headlined by DJ Muggs, Right Away Great Captain, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. And of note to you Electric Boogaloo fans, Noot d’ Noot, Col. Bruce Hampton, Funk You, Flannel Church, and many more sure to excite the senses. The Atlanta Funk Society will even be playing the Patron Party (think customer, not a brand of tequila) this Friday night. Take a look see at the full schedule of performers and venues and we hope to see you down there.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 | Posted in Electric Boogaloo | Comments Off

Guest Tonight and Giveaways Galore!

Time to check back in as I believe I’m finally recovered from last weekend’s Blowfly show…

This week, we’ll have a couple (perhaps three?) more ticket giveaways, but first a word about our special guest this week. You’ll want to tune in tonight (11pm to midnight EDT, 91.1 fm in Atlanta or wrek.org) for our special guest Nick Edelstein of Nick and the Grooves. Their debut EP entitled Adapter comes out next week and will be playing at The Five Spot in support of that release.

Nick and the Grooves "Adapter" EP Release Party!

The Grooves feature a blues-driven soul sound with heavy jazz, funk, and rock influences as well. It’s sure to be jam as they’ll be joined by some familiar names around the Atlanta music scene, including John McKnight (drums), Bryan Hall (bass), Jazz monsters Scott Ritshie (keys) and Bill Smith (alto/tenor sax), with regular appearances by “at Large” members, James King (trumpet) and Will Scruggs (bari sax).

We’ll chat about the band in general, preview the new EP, and perhaps even have a ticket giveaway for the show next week. Sorry the tickets are, as yet, unconfirmed. You’ll have to tune in to find out. It shoud be a good time.

Other announcements: we will certainly have giveaways for the following shows, as these tickets have been confirmed:

Georgia Soul Council – Elliot Street Pub – Fri. 7/20/12
The Temptations, The Four Tops – Chastain Amphitheater – Sat. 7/21/12

So definitely tune in for a chance to win one of those sets. And of course, check out our full list of concerts at the latest What’s Up with What’s Going Down Post, which I keep having to update with great shows that seem to be coming out of nowhere.

That’s it for now, we hope you join us tonight, again, at 11pm EDT for The Electric Boogaloo!

Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Posted in Electric Boogaloo | Comments Off

Give It Up for … Blowfly!

Whether you recognize the stage moniker of Clarence Reid or think of a disgusting carrion-inhabiting insect, you probably are in the right frame of mind here. Under his Christian name, Blowfly (nsfw) was quite a prolific songwriter of the r&b scene in the ’60’s and ’70’s for artists such as Sam & Dave and his pen even spewed some top 10 hits for the likes of Betty Wright, Gwen McCrae, and KC & The Sunshine Band. But his musical prowess goes beyond that. Known for making up raunchy parody lyrics to soul classics since his youth, Blowfly would perform these renditions at private parties for the pure entertainment of his music industry friends. Once he was convinced to take the act public, he donned the superhero disguise and nickname to protect his songwriting alter ego, and the legend was born.

As Blowfly, Clarence Reid is almost never serious.

Since most record labels wouldn’t dare to touch his often X-rated shtick, the Cochran, Georgia native produced a number of his dirty soul and funk albums independently and evolved to become the “original dirty rapper” just when the genre was taking off in the mid 1970’s. Often called misogynistic, lewd, and downright offensive, Blowfly’s parodies and perversions have been cited as influence for such luminaries as Kool Keith, 2 Live Crew, Weird Al Yankovic, Ice-T, and Rudy Ray Moore.

At age 73, he’s still kicking, including the release of 3 albums (2 studio, 1 live) over the past 7 years and is still travelling and performing live to date. A recent (and critically acclaimed) documentary, appropriately titled The Weird World of Blowfly (nsfw), traverses the life of Clarence/Blowfly through their early and musical history to the present day.

Every party’s a Funky Party with Blowfly!

So, why all the hub-bub over what many consider just a dirty old man? Well, Blowfly is gracing the city of Atlanta this Saturday, July 14 at 529, and The Electric Boogaloo will be giving away a pair of passes on this Thursday’s (7/12) show. The bill also carries a couple of Atlanta acts, Noot d’ Noot and 4-IZE, which are currently pushing boundaries in the funk and hip-hop genres, respectively. So tune in, just as I know you normally would, to get a chance to see a living legend. We’ve even cobbled together a couple of radio edits of some ‘fly classics, and trust me, that was no easy task.

In the meantime, here is a sample (nsfw) of the master’s work.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 | Posted in Electric Boogaloo | Comments Off

Here’s What’s Up

It’s been a while since the last concert update known as our What’s Up with What’s Going Down, and there are a few good shows coming up (Note: I’m probably missing some, so contact me to get your gig on this list) so let’s get to it…

Noot d' Noot at The Bookhouse

Psyche. First, if you’ve been checking for the playlists, and they haven’t been coming, you can always grab them off our Twitter feed. OK, now for the funky event update, brought to you by your friends here at The Electric Boogaloo:

The Jacksons – Chastain Amphitheatre – Sun. 7/8/12
Blowfly (NSFW), Noot d’ Noot – 529 – Sat. 7/14/12
Ike Stubblefield – Northside Tavern – Sat. 7/14/12
J.Lloyd Mashup – The Five Spot – Wed. 7/18/12
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly – Chastain Amphitheater – Thu. 7/19/12
George Hughley and the Lakewood 5 – Star Bar – Fri. 7/20/12
Georgia Soul Council – Elliot Street Pub – Fri. 7/20/12
The Temptations, The Four Tops – Chastain Amphitheater – Sat. 7/21/12
New Orleans Suspects – Smith’s Olde Bar – Sat. 7/21/12
Nick & the Grooves (EP release show) – The Five Spot – Wed. 7/25/12
Bragg Jam (Col. Bruce Hampton, Atlanta Funk Society, Noot d’ Noot, etc.) – Macon, GA – Sat. 7/28/12
Papa Grows Funk – Smith’s Olde Bar – Fri. 8/3/12
Stanley Clarke – Variety Playhouse – Sun. 8/12/12
J.Lloyd Mashup – The Five Spot – Wed. 8/15/12
Col. Bruce Hampton – Smith’s Olde Bar – Fri. 8/17/12
Rebirth Brass Band – Smith’s Olde Bar – Sat. 8/25/12
Snarky Puppy – EARL – Sat. 9/1/12

That’s all for now. Stay tuned and stay funky, Atlanta!

Thursday, July 5, 2012 | Posted in Electric Boogaloo | Comments Off