Whose got the funk? The Blockley has got the funk! That was oh so clear on Thursday, July18th as Philadelphia’s own eclectic, high-energy funk band, Swift Technique, warmed up the stage for jazz-funk fusion legends, Soulive. Now let me tell you, when I say warmed up I really mean heated! Soulive could probably see the heat waves swirling on the stage and feel the humidity rising when they took their places on the stage. The energetic crowd had been grooving so hard to Swift Techniques beats that their communal beads of sweat glistened like pearls under the venue’s lights. A friend and avid funk fan, Jeff Ragone, exclaimed as he got funky, “this band sounds like Galactic and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong had a baby!” The crowd was a sea of dancers, twirlers, drop down and get your funk on hyped up music junkies, and SwiftTechnique was giving them just the drug they needed; dirty FUNKin’ dancing beats.
This was the first time I have seen this brass based, upbeat, funk band perform; and I was simply astounded by the multifaceted show they put on for the crowd. They had an extraordinary stage presence! There was clear and humorous choreography incorporated into the performance and an unexpected appearance by an exceptional female vocalist, Chelsea Lyn Weaver. The brass section consisted of Greg Rosen on the trumpet, Matt Fischer on Trombone, and Brian Blaker on the Saxophone. Brian just wailed on the Sax as the three of them promenaded around the stage, engaging the audience in a humorous fashion. Greg Rosen began a special chant for the ladies and gentlemen in the venue: ladies chant, “Group one PA, group one LA” and all the fellas chant, “GIVE ME THAT FUNK EVERYDAY!” Then, towards the end of the performance, trumpet player Greg Rosen had the crowd following his lead- arms outstretched flapping their funky bird wings all throughout the dance floor and even in the back of the room by the bar.
Swift Technique‘s soul vocalist, Chelsea Lyn Weaver, mesmerized the audience with her soulful voice during the band’s cover of “Shining Star.” What an incredible funk cover led by a female vocalist! The rest of the band members also displayed exceptional talent; individually, each musician demonstrated expertise on his instrument of choice. At one point the drummer, Mike Mahoney, was playing on his set with only one drumstick and his bare hand, while Jack Leschinsky effortlessly navigated the frets of his bass as he bewildered the crowd with a fluid and remarkable solo. Never before have I seen such a unique and unprecedented performance. Keyboardist, Jay Davidson, picked up a second saxophone and belted out the brass while simultaneously playing his keyboard, and all the while Andy Bree was ripping the guitar. What a noteworthy and entertaining production!
The band closed their set by jumping off of the stage and parading through the crowd with their instruments. The last time I experienced such an interactive musical performance was when the marching band, Mucca Pazza, opened for Primus at the Welmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ. However, in contrast to the blast to the face I received from the trombone at the Welmont, this time I was given a satisfactory high five from the trombone player amidst the wonderful, completely entertaining chaos.
The entire octet featured Chelsea Lyn Weaver on vocals, Jack Leschinsky on bass, Andy Bree on guitar, Mike Mahoney on drums, Greg Roson on trumpet, Matt Fischer on trombone, Brian Blaker on saxophone, and Jay Davidson on the keyboard (as well as the saxophone). The band opened this impressive set with “Who Ya With?” energizing the entire venue right off the bat. They then proceeded with “Brooklydelphia” and “Capitol B” featuring Chelsea on vocals. Next came “Sir Funk”, one of my favorites of the night along with “Shining Star”. Chelsea also hopped back on stage with the band to play the tambourine for “Swanky Mufuggz”. They closed their set out with “Lonewolf”. You can download a sampler of Swift Technique live at The Blockley on their website!
Swift Technique has made a home at The Blockley in Philadelphia as Pigeons Playing Ping Pong nests at the 8×10 in Baltimore, Maryland. The band’s upcoming performances will take place in California at The Hotel Utah in San Francisco on July 30th, the Fulton 55 in Fresno on August 1st, The Griffin in San Diego on August 2nd and The Mint in LA on August 3rd. If you missed their performance last week in Philadelphia, have no fear! Swift Technique will be back on the East Coast, on August 16th in Cape May, NJ at Cabana’s on the Beach, followed by The Berkeley Bar in Asbury Park, NJ and finally ArtsQuest Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, PA (. Do not miss the entrapping and interactive performance by this talented band!
Well, if Swift Technique heated up The Blockley, then Soulive simply incinerated the place with their passion, funky soul jamming. I mean, screw chicken soup, if you’re looking for something good for your soul, you must check out a live performance by Soulive, the legendary funk-jazz fusion trio! This was my first time seeing the band in it’s original trio form, as they often perform with other artists; and let me tell you it was the experience of a lifetime. I felt my spirit being lifted higher with every note that resonated from Eric’s guitar, felt my heart beat in tune with Alan’s drum line and my body move to the melody of Neal’s keys.
Seeing the combined expertise of Alan Evans on drums, Eric Krasno on guitar and Neal Evans on keys (and bass) is like peeking into a ripple in music history as the band incorporates classic funk styles such as that of Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith and Brother Jack McDuff from the 60’s. Then, there is their new album, Spark! That album resembles the funk of the 70’s with clear influences from artists such as Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard and George Benson.
Over the past fifteen years since the trio originally formed in 1999, you can see how their music has steadily matured, as they have become seasoned musicians. Each individual musician is so talented that it is a humbling experience witnessing the trio play. Each artist also does musical projects aside from the trio. For instance, Krasno is about to go on tour with the Tedeschi Trucks Band and just recently played on Conan with Pretty Lights. Alan Evans also works as a producer, and recording and mixing engineer. Meanwhile, Neal Evans has just released his first solo album entitled, “BANG!” The trio is often seen playing with various other members of the Royal Family, such as Lettuce and soul vocalist, Nigel Hall, and saxophonist, Karl Denson. They have also collaborated with the likes of Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield and even opened up for the Rolling Stones! Did you know that in Buffalo, New York, the mayor even officially named a day after this legendary trio? If you’re ever in Buffalo, New York on July 9th prepare to celebrate Soulive Day!
One of the most remarkable aspects of this group is the passion that emanates from the stage as they play. You can see the members silently communicating with each other while they break off into solos and instrumentals. Putting their individual talent aside, the cohesion of these three artists is astounding! The trio has released a total of 11 albums (not including their live albums), to this day. Their first big break came from their album Get Down! Which was released in 1999 and recorded in their Woodstock, NY, studio.
On the night of the 18th Soulive opened up with “Hat Trick” from their album Up Here. The crowd was so excited and as soon as the first few notes were played there was a mix between bodies gradually falling into the groove and people staring in awe, jaws open. Especially if you have never seen Soulive before, this was a special set since they were playing as the original trio. They took us back to the sounds of their first album Get Down! With the next song, they gave us a taste of the ephemeral style they had in 1999, followed by Uncle Jr., also originally from the first album they produced. They played “Maniac,” then “Backwards Jack” from Up Here. Next, they engaged the entire crowd in their rendition of “Come Together” from their Beatles inspired album Rubber Soulive. This song clearly showed off the hypnotic power of Soulive’s music as the crowd cried out in unison, “Come together, right now… over me!” And you can tell that the audience had come together, and yes, it was in the name of Soulive! They followed that Beatles’ classic with another glimpse at the great rock of the past with their cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone.”
Continuing the funky vibes, “Lenny” came on from their self-titled album Soulive. Soulive kept the beat going and the feet tapping with two songs off of their album Next, “Flurries” and “Tuesday Night’s Squad.” This segued nicely into their final song (though not the last of the night) “One and Seven,” originally from the album Doin’ Something. Soulive pretty much killed the crowd with their encore, a rendition of “Steppin’” from their Turn it Out album, that lasted for about 15 minutes. That must’ve been the icing on the cake for the audience, that extra eight minutes in musical heaven, the soulful reprieve that lifted us into a whimsical veil of beats and notes that gave us a brief but oh so sweet vacation from our daily life.
This performance, my first occasion to see Soulive in the original trio formation, was nothing less than magical. These musicians played their chosen instruments with such dexterity you would think they have been playing since the cradle. At one point, I could have sworn I heard someone playing the bass guitar, which confused me since I did not see a fourth person. Then, as I scanned the stage, my mind was blown when I saw Neal Evans playing the bass with one hand while simultaneously tearing up his solos on the keyboard! Unbelievable! I can’t fathom a better escape from reality than into this music, the particular soulful vessel created by the combination of funk superheroes, Alan Evans, Eric Krasno, and Neal Evans!
Do not miss the chance to see this phenomenal band live! Soulive is a living mythological music creation, and witnessing the band first hand will change your outlook on life and enlighten your soul. Be sure to catch them at their last performance together for the summer at Equifunk (featuring the Shady Horns), on August 17th in Equinunk, PA!
Swift Technique Set List:
Who Ya With?
Brooklydelphia
Capitol B
Sir Funk
Rt. 1 to Rt. 1
Let Me Get That Bike
Swanky Mufuggz
Shining Star
New Untitled Song
Lonewolf
Soulive Set List:
Hat Trick
Turn it Out
Uncle Jr
Maniac
Backwards Jack
Come Together
3rd Stone
Lenny
Flurries
Tues
1 in 7
Steppin’
Review by Rebecca Wolfe
Photography by Rebecca Wolfe
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