I don’t even know where to start writing about the mind-blowing music that came crashing off of the stage at Red Square in Albany on Thursday night while sax master John Ellis and his exquisite band Double-Wide were celebrating the release of their new album, “Puppet Mischief.”
The dazzling instrumental virtuosity of the musicians?
The thrill of Ellis’ complex, ambitious and fully funky compositions?
The extraordinary imagination required to assemble this unlikely combination of instruments?
Saxman John Ellis is probably best known for his nearly six-year stint with guitarist Charlie Hunter. Last summer, Ellis commanded my attention when I saw him play with Texas jazz vocalist Kat Edmonson at the Tanglewood Jazz Weekend. But Double-Wide is a different animal altogether, not particularly akin to either of those projects.
First, there’s the rather unique line-up: In addition to Ellis on tenor sax and bass clarinet, the band features organist Brian Coogan, drummer Jason Marsalis and sousaphonist Matt Perrine. And the special guests who make impressive contributions to “Puppet Mischief” are trombonist Alan Ferber and harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret. Obviously not your typical jazz combo… (more…)
One of our fave Nippertown funk, hip-hop and beyond combos, Mirk and the New Familiars is hosting “Gift Wrapped in Sound,” a special holiday benefit concert at Red Square in Albany on Friday (December 11). Doors open at 6pm for the marathon music session featuring some of the area’s hottest bands and artists.
All proceeds from the show will benefit the Langan School of the Albany Center for Disability Services. In addition, all concertgoers are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for a youngster, ages 5-21.
Here’s the tentative schedule of performances:
7pm: Ninepin
8pm: Eric Margan & the Red Lions
9pm: Atomic Tom
10pm: Jermaine Wells & the Ill Funk Ensemble
11pm: Tweed McGee
11:30pm: Mirk and the New Familiars
12:30am: Flakjacket
1:30am: Milly Warbucks
2am: Wyte Boy & Broadway
2:30am: Rawthentic
Eclectic Method is an international three-man band of media mash-masters.
They not only splice ‘n’ dice songs and beats, but they also mash up films, television and videogames. Then they fuse it all back together into something totally brave and brand new – a mega-wallop of multiple-screen, neo-narrative sensory overload.
They not only shake your booty. They also shake up your braincells.
It’s not just art-rock. It’s cuisinart-rock.
They’ve worked with the likes of Public Enemy, Stephen Colbert, Fatboy Slim and U2, but there’s nothing quite like what these guys do live. Sure, Nero fiddled while Rome was burning, but at an Eclectic Method throwdown, you’ll be boogeying to the sights and sounds of pop culture imploding.
And, of course, no two Eclectic Method shows are even remotely the same, and Nippertown fans will have the opportunity to be sucked into back-to-back performances this weekend.
They’ll be at Jason’s Upstairs Bar in Hudson on Friday, July 17 and at Red Square in Albany on Saturday, July 18. Prior to the Jason’s performance, there will be a screening of the controversial documentary film, “RiP!: A Remix Manifesto.” As the opening act on Saturday in Albany, meanwhile, the one-man sonic assault squadron Disposable Rocket Band will bomb the house with heat-seeking missles. And DJ Mr. Chips will be mixin’ it up both nights.
(ObliqSound, 2010):
One of our fave Nippertown funk, hip-hop and beyond combos, 
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