Captain Freeshit: Win Tickets To See The Eccentric Soul Revue On Wednesday At Ortleib’s
Being the kind of hardcore record nerds we are here, it’s a little surprising that we’ve never preached the gospel of the Numero Group before. Let’s fix that: Since 2003, the three guys behind the Numero Group have been unearthing lost soul classics, and re-issuing them in high-quality, gorgeous editions at a speed faster than almost anyone can keep up with. Along the way — and especially on their Eccentric Soul series of resissues — they’ve unearthed gem after gem and have found something even more surprising: That some of the artists they’ve unearthed are still alive, and performing. So it makes sense that Numero’s Eccentric Soul Revue — which hits town on Wednesday night — is something of a delicious, wonderful inevitability. On the bill this Wednesday at Ortlieb’s: Soul crooner Renaldo Domino, a verteran of the chitlin’ circuit, and now performing again (and quite well, thank you) for the first time in 35 years, and JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, a contemporary Chicago soul outfit for whom the funk is an interplanetary challenge. (Dig their bizzaro version of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.” Whoa.) And of course, we’ve got tickets for you. To enter to win, email ihopeiwin[at]philebrity[dot]com with “I’M AN AMERICAN AQUARIUM FUNKY DRUMMER” in the subject header. You’ll automatically be subscribed to the new Philebrity Reader weekly newsletter and win chances for other exclusive free stuff. Winners will be picked end-of-day Tuesday.
Philebrity.com . 11/10/09
Floating Action :: 10.22.09 :: North Star Bar :: Philadelphia, PA
Floating Action :: 10.22 :: Philly |
Floating Action is one of those bands you just happen upon. Its growth seems stunted like a small tree in a forest of giants who have deprived it sunlight. But tell that to Kauffman and the three accompanying band members, who seemed to take little notice of the venue's meager numbers while they grabbed every little bit of the stage's dust-filled light beams and transformed them into a tender mix of mountain spun soul drenched in coastline surf rock. Kauffman reminds one of several musicians as hints of Beck and Brian Wilson surfaced. But I found him most similar to Tim Bluhm from The Mother Hips, not so much in appearance but in demeanor. He had the air of a '70s ski bum and the soul of Delta blues musician. Plus, the dirty pink Aspen hat, which sat squarely on his brow, and loose flannel shirt sure didn't help change this impression.
Floating Action is also the name of Kauffman's third album. During recording he performed almost every note by himself. His instruments, pedals and recording equipment are ancient, allowing no digital perfection to leak into his albums' warmth. Kauffman's recordings are chalk-full of styles ranging from bossa nova to funky '50s-laced dance numbers. Each song is another multi-colored leaf fluttering on Kauffman's body of work. Nestled inside his downtempo melodies is a time worn quality, a dignity that you would equate to the end of life rather than the glimmer at life's beginning. Kauffman's songs hum with a charm filled with color and personality carved from a lifetime of experiences. While they lack much fight or rebellious nature, they are content to meander along with an elder gentlemanly grace. Kauffman's music is poetry in the vein of Henry David Thoreau. He sends us on lackadaisical journeys winding through the back roads of his home in Black Mountain, NC. Kauffman is an artist whose song lets you appreciate the gentle beauty of the life that embraces you.
Seth Kauffman :: 10.22 |
The live renditions of new song "Cinder Cone" and taste of the past "Get Your Love Stole" from his first album, Ting, struck from a different place entirely. "Cinder Cone" allowed the heavier side of Floating Action some room to breathe as Carpenter transformed the softer album version and charged forward on a wave of crunchy guitar work. We were treated to a bit of surf rock whose sound paid homage to the psychedelics of guitarist Jim Thomas and The Mermen riding on Dick Dale's surfboard. "Get Your Love Stole" danced with the devil and again dove in toward a similar surf rock vibe while showcasing more of Carpenters open-faced axe-work.
I'm sure several were bummed that Floating Action didn't play their stellar cover of The Cars' "Drive" or the eerily catchy reggae tune "Pills to Grind," nor did Kauffman dip into his dirty side with "Drug Hustler" or "Ron Ben Israel Blues." But, what I heard was enough to want to dig deeper into his short stack of releases and keep an eye on all of his Park The Van label mates.
Floating Action ended their performance with a wonderful re-working of "Digging," a song from second album Research that seemed to sum up all of the best moments from the performance and wrap them up into an epilogue filled with the haunting hymnal qualities.
If Kauffman is going the way of his ex-label mates Dr. Dog, then big things await in the future of this slightly askew, one-man garage band and his interrelated, multi-cultural rendezvous of sounds.
Floating Action tour dates available here.
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