I’m sure some of you have heard of this band before. They’re a very talented Brooklyn-based jazz/funk band that gear their albums towards kids, although most of their listeners are 20-30 somethings. They play songs such as “Hickory Dickory Dock”, but add their avant-garde, funk, hip-hop style to them. It’s not really something I’d listen to all the time, but it’s perfect for parents who want to play songs for their kids, but want to enjoy it themselves. Juicers, keep these guys in mind when you have a little bastard of your own baking in the oven.

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So I was going to post some sweet blues I discovered while riding my bike yesterday, but someone requested some funk, and one name came to mind. That’s right… Ryan Shaw. He’s real talented, and could have easily became a hip hop / new-school R&B singer, but instead, he writes and sings what he likes the best, which happens to be Funk and Motown.

For those that went on the Mayercraft, you’ll agree that Ryan was by far the most entertaining artist on the boat (yes, more than Jay May). The two songs below show both sides of his music. The first is pure dance funk. The second resembles old school doo-op, kinda like Gene Chandler, The Chevrons, Frank Zappa, etc.
When you hear doo-op, you expect bad quality recordings. When you hear someone like Ryan do it, it’s real rare and refreshing to listen to. Kinda like drinking a nice tall glass of Joe’s homemade orange juice.

I got a juicer by the way…

I was going to post some videos of his performances on the boat, especially the one with his bass player going all nuts, but it’s shitty with embarrassing dancing and drunkenness. I’ll think it over. In the meantime, enjoy.

Ryan Shaw – Do the 45

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Ryan Shaw – I’ll be Satisfied

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It’s hard to get noticed when you have a purely instrumental band, but that’s one of the many beauties of funk (and blues). This funk band uses a lot of percussion and Afrobeats to infect people with their talent. Budos records in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and perform quite often in the city apparently. After listening to the entire album, I’d say they have a heavy Spanish influence, which usually doesn’t mix well with funk, but what do I know. I’m just an Italian boy from the suburbs talking about the blues. Enjoy your evenings.

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