Providing the vinyl-based musical backdrop for tonight‘s festivities will be enigmatic DJ Funky D, aka…..me. I’ve spun records in local bars for almost 7 years now, mostly as a member of Funkdefy but also in a variety of other settings. My specialty is funk and soul from the 70s and the 00s, but also love to play jazz, hip-hop, indie and classic rock when I get the chance. Tonight’s selections will include most of the above, with some Columbus treats tossed in. Taking requests now if you have any ideas. See you tonight!
Author Archives: Andrew Patton
Columbus-ish Jams For Your Weekend
In case you need some new tunes for wherever you may voyage (or not voyage) this weekend, here are some suggestions:
1. DJ Self Help: Clusterfunk Mix Summer 2010 (Soundcloud)
Self Help, the co-host of Columbus/Athens’ Dance or Die and rising DJ talent on his own, recently dropped this summer funtime mix. Crazy mixes and interesting choices make this hour-long mix jam from front to back.
2. Loyal Divide: Flights (Bandcamp)
For whatever reason, I’d never been that into this Chicago-via-Columbus quartet (unlike my man Chip Midnight). However, I downloaded this single when it dropped in July and every time I come it back to it I love it more. Echo-y and hypnotic. If you’re in Chicagoland or need a road trip this weekend, check them out at the North Coast Music Festival.
3. The Green Brothers: I Get Lifted (Bandcamp)
Despite MC Claude 9’s (aka Eyamme) relocation to San Diego, his weed-centric Green Brothers collaboration with DJ Bern One (aka DJ Inform) has continued onto a third album. In anticipation of its release later this month, they released a single of the title track, a soulful paean to their primary inspiration. Learn new green technology in the video after the jump. Continue reading
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Posted in Columbus, MP3, Music
Tagged dj self-help, Green Brothers, The Loyal Divide
Thursday in Columbus: The Dead Kenny G’s

The Dead Kenny Gs. An attention-grabbing band name for a band I never thought I’d see. As a self-respecting jazz/music nerd, I of course honored the concept of a trio doing war with the smooth jazz master. But this was also a band I actually wanted to see, as it featured the saxophonics of Skerik and the crazed vibraphone and percussion of Mike Dillon. I heard about the Dead Kenny Gs (the trio is completed by bassist/saxophonist Brad Houser) on sites like ropeadope.com but it always struck me as a Seattle-based local supergroup that would never release a record (let alone travel to our part of the globe). However, their debut album Bewildered Herd surfaced in October and was recently re-released by Ropeadope Digital. Eleven schizophrenic tracks that range from uptempo saxy jaunts to mellow vibed-out jams to distorted, disgruntled bursts of sound (that still groove). Although some limited social commentary is offered on “I’m Your Manager, I’m Your Pimp” and “Jake Brakin,'” the confrontational nature of the band name and some of the song titles seems more reflective of the attitude and feel of the mostly instrumental music than of some concrete message.
The second part of my hippie jazz fantasy come to life is realized on Thursday night as the Dead Kenny Gs open for Primus and Gogol Bordello outdoors at the LC. I only hear intense things about the Gs’ live show, so they should mix well with the other showmen on the bill. Doors open at 6, so get there early for the party.
Posted in Columbus, Music, Review
Tagged Gogol Bordello, Mike Dillon, Primus, Skerik, The Dead Kenny Gs
Free MP3 Album: Shafiq Husayn
MP3: Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka (Free album at Amazonmp3.com)
While doing some intense MP3 shopping last night, I stumbled upon the fact that Amazon MP3 is currently offering Shafiq Husayn’s 2009 release, Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka, for free download. Husayn is a member of the futuristic soul collective Sa-Ra Creative Partners, whose releases have been semi appealing to me but never really connected. However, Husayn’s explosion of soul of every genre and dimension (and beyond!) really hit home. Fans of Sa-Ra, Erykah Badu, and other forms of tripped-out R&B should love this. I have no idea how long this deal will last, so I would get to the gettin’ if I were you.
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Tagged Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq Husayn
Tonight @ The Summit: Fool’s Gold
MP3: Nadine
Tonight at the Summit, ex-Columbusite Brad Caulkins (The Sun, Jive Turkeys, etc.) brings his sax back to town as a member of Fool’s Gold, a Los Angeles Afropop-inspired collective. The band’s self-titled debut is eight tracks of meditative and mostly joyous tunes led by the vocals of Luke Top, who sings predominantly in Hebrew. This unique combination provides for a sound that is much more reverent and humble than other current bands of their ilk. They share the stage with Brooklyn’s Tony Castles and locals You’re So Bossy, led by Sam Brown, Caulkins’ ex-bandmate in The Sun.
Super Desserts CD Release Friday
MP3: Wicker Chair
2010 is turning out to be the year of the Super Desserts as Friday sees the boys and girls releasing their second album of the year, Twee As Folk. The new album returns to the path traveled by 2009 ‘s Barefoot in the Disenchanted Forest, with new handmade CD packaging in 7″ vinyl single size and a secret tale to be told by the entire package. Long song titles galore and another batch of pop ditties, this time with more hand-clapped BEATS. The release party is tonight at Wholly Craft at 7, featuring an opening set from none other than Jeff Fernengel.
Video for “Give Your Mom a Call” Continue reading
Tonight at Cafe Bourbon Street: Pontiak
MP3: Pontiak – Young
The double bill at Bourbon Street tonight is headlined by Virginia’s Pontiak, a band of stoner rock brothers. They are currently on tour in support of new album Living, out this past Tuesday on Thrill Jockey. The new record picks up where 2009’s Maker left off, delivering psychedelic jams in (mostly) pop song-sized packages of varying textures. The live show will likely shred. Labelmates Arbouretum open.
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Posted in Columbus, MP3, Music
Tagged arbouretum, Cafe Bourbon Street, Pontiak, thrill jockey
Review: Booker T, Nick Tolford & Co. in Columbus
Saturday night (May 1) marked the conclusion of the Jazz Arts Group‘s 2009-10 Inside Track concert series at the Lincoln Theatre with a much-anticipated appearance by soul legend Booker T. Jones and his band. Though the buzz for his appearance itself was plentiful, the addition of local openers Nick Tolford & Co. seemed to contribute additional interest, visibly making the show more appealing to a slightly younger demographic. These factors combined for an exciting, well-attended show that won the audience over. (Check out Kim Rottmayer’s photos here.)
Nick Tolford & Company’s set was a quick and fiery runthrough of the best of their soulful rock ‘n roll. The band was a bit nervous as they opened for one of their heroes but overcame any stagefright to deliver a solid set. In their allotted 30 minutes, Tolford and band performed with enough reverence and joy [insert pic of smiling Mike O here] to win over many concertgoers who would have never been otherwise exposed to their music. The JAG should be recognized for providing this outlet for local musicians, as Mojoflo’s recent set opening for Trombone Shorty gave them similar exposure, including my parents’ introduction to the band. Continue reading
Tagged Booker T, lincoln theater, Mike O, Nick Tolford and Co.