Unity (feat. Brother Paul Brown)

#71 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series is UNITY, featuring the psychedelic soul-funk stylings of Brother Paul Brown on the Hammond B3. Brother Paul has a bio-pic-worthy life story. Sadly, he lost his single Mom very early, was sent to a school for homeless boys, discovered an old piano there, and eventually climbed out the second-story window and headed straight for Memphis where he would ultimately become musical director and producer to the GREAT Anne Peebles (I Can't Stand The Rain) for more than 20 years. I'd watch THAT movie! Just a few other NTK nuggets: Brother Paul has won a Grammy for his work on Gloria Gaynor's triumphant 2019 release Testify, was nominated for a Grammy for producing Bobby Rush's Down In Louisiana (2014) and pre-plague was touring internationally with the Waterboys. Did I mention he has an infectiously positive vibe as well?

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Alvino Bennett (Dave Mason, Stevie Wonder) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. And the newest addition to the team; Mixing and Mastering by the Grand Wizard of Greaseland, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen.

And please remember the movement continues:

You Move Like Funk (feat. Eric McFadden)

#70 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series, You Look Like Funk, features a guitarist on a first-name basis with the funk, Eric McFadden. As well as being a George Clinton / P-Funk alum, Eric has played with an incredibly diverse array of heavies, including Les Claypool, Joe Strummer, The Reverend Horton Heat, Galactic, Keb Mo, Eric Burdon, Fishbone, Widespread Panic, Jackson Browne, Nels Cline, and Mike Watt. We were lucky enough to have Eric and his Tasty Face bandmate and wife, Delphine de St. Paër, stop by while having a moment off the road at home in SF. I hope you enjoy the result.

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Marcus David (Nick Gravenites, Clover) on drums, and myself on bass. It was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nando Reis) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

And please remember the movement continues: