This event was held July 11th, 2009. I was very lucky to be one of the many DJs involved with the 1st Funk Rumble Block Party. I missed some of the early performers, including a DJ set from Jeremy Sole, but got there in time to see most of J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science out of the Bay Area, including a dedication of their version of “They Reminisce Over You” for Michael Jackson.
Ant
Vala
is a bad mamajamma
Anthony Valadez took to the wheels and as usual just rocked it. AntVala is one of the most skilled DJs around, good party rockin’ set that included unexpected selections…I’m still trying to wrap my head around him playing “Don’t Stop Believing”
That’s right
as in
Journey’s
Don’t Stop Believing…
Next up was Orgone, who began their set with a blistering version of Peter King’s “African Dialects” and didn’t let up from there.
That one
can be found
on Nigeria 70
The Lions took the stage next. They are a “super-group” of sorts, featuring members from Orgone, Breakestra, Connie Price & the Keystones, and more.
As much as I dug their record Jungle Struttin’, I was not at all prepared for how tight this group has gotten in the ensuing year, flat out fantastic.
Queen
of
the
Minstrels
Queen
of
the
Minstrels
Nor was I aware that Alex & Deston from Hepcat are now among the regular vocalists for the group (Hepcat was my favorite third-wave ska band of the 1990s). It was a great joy to hear the boys performing with the band, especially their rendition of an all-time favorite of mine “Queen of the Minstrels.”
Breakestra took the stage just after sunset and tore it up. I’d forgotten that they often perform with two drummers, just insane funky rhythms. Perfect close to a perfect line-up of artists and DJs.
I
really
need
to learn html to fix my spacing…
In between the sets from Orgone, The Lions and Breakestra I did a couple of mini sets, playing a mix of funk, latin, reggae & afrobeat. I got nothing but love from the crowd and the musicians, especially at end when I just had to leave them with some MJ.
This was in my opinion a close to perfect event, from the mix of musicians, DJs and artists (several were painting new work during the day) to the diversity of the crowd, which in a city as segregated as LA, it’s very nice to see all of our multiple ethnicities and cultures come together in peace and unity. I really hope the organizers are able to put it together again for 2010 and beyond.
Here’s some video put together by Trendski featuring J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science, Orgone, The Lions & Breakestra. You can find a couple other parts on his youtube channel as well…