I had only seen Kung Fu once before, it was an afternoon set at the 2012 presentation of Gathering of the Vibes. At that time, I truly didn’t understand the depth of their music and the high-energy, electrified funk movement they would bring. This time around I could not have chosen a more danceable, jazz electro-funk fusion than this band of brilliant musicians. On the night of February 21, 2013, my cousin and I walked up the steps into the Highline Ballroom expecting a great performance from one of our favorite bands, Dopapod, and we were pleasantly surprised at the ensuing events.
Fikus opened the show for the night, followed by an incredible performance by Kung Fu, then the headliners of the night, Dopapod. I stepped into the venue just in time to catch the beginning of Kung Fu’s set. Right away I knew I was in for a treat as I saw the artists take stage, and once again remembered the funky saxophone played by Rob Somerville that would be incorporated into their music. This quintet proudly represents their home state of Connecticut. The band consists of Todd Stoops on the keyboard, Rob Somerville on Saxophone, Tim Palmieri on guitar, Adrian Tramontano on drums and Chris DeAngelis on the bass. The funk emitted from this unique fusion band has been described as being “lethal”, “explosive”, and “jaw dropping.”
While I can’t put my feelings about this band and their performance into a single adjective or phrase, I can say they had me dancing on my feet, NONSTOP, from the beginning of their set to the very last song. FUNKIFIED maybe, if that were to mean that my ears, brain and feet were electrified by an intense jolt of epic jam and funky vibes. Looking around at the crowd, I could clearly see that I wasn’t the only one digging the music. It looked as if each member of the audience was completely encompassed in the sound and dancing harder, funkier, and more freely than I have seen before. The jams of this particular set reached such an intensity that they, at times, it seemed close to overwhelming; but everyone danced through the sensation, captured in the music itself.
Kung Fu opened up their set with a song called “The Hammer” which was an amazing display of the keys and the funky saxophone. They followed this song with “Steppin’ In It” an extremely groovy song, I was digging the sound of Palmieri’s guitar while getting funky to the music. Next, they picked up the pace with “Chakrabarty Overdrive,” which included an impressive display by Somerville jamming on his saxophone. The band then slowed it down again with “Bopcorn,” that has such an alluring bass line I was moving my head in time with DeAngelis’ riffs. The beats of Tramontano’s drums drew us into their next song, “God Made me Funky,” and it was accompanied by the harmonious vocals and smiling faces of the group. Once again, the pace quickened with “Barometric Whether” and Somerville was able to impress the crowd with aptitude for the saxophone, making it look so natural. Kung Fu proceeded with a Funkadelic cover “Standing on the Verge of Getting It On” putting their own spin on it. Having recently seen George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars; I can say that they did the legendary Funkadelic’s justice. Next came one of my personal favorites, “Do the Right Thing.”
They slowed the pace back down once again with “S’All Good” then built it back up again with a funky syncopated beat, “Gung Ho;” you could feel the intensity rising as the song went on. The drums and bass started the back-bone to “Hollywood Kisses” followed by some insane vocals from the band. Kung Fu closed out this phenomenal live set with “Bringing Up the Rear.” The set incorporated so many moments of remarkable improvisations. The combination of Stoop’s distinctive electronic dance rhythms, Palmieri’s indelible guitar, Tramontano’s drums, DeAngelis’ bass, and Somerville’s unrivaled saxophone flow truly made this concert a lethal, one of a kind, sensual funk experience.
Kung Fu’s set was so impressive, that I was exhausted from dancing fervently in the end and needed to sit for the proceeding act. Tim Palmieri, formerly from another East Coast band, The Breakfast, commanded his guitar with such skill that you could see his fingers flying up and down the frets as he barely broke a sweat. It seemed as if each of the musicians in the band were finely tuned and seasoned to the point where they played their instruments so naturally, making it look almost effortless. This could also be seen in the huge grins splayed across their faces. I mean literally, cheek-to-cheek beaming right back to the audience who were shining with smiles staring right back at them. Somerville (also from Deep Banana Blackout) mesmerized the audience with his exceptional talent on the tenor sax, sending the crowd into a type of psychadelic-hypnosis. The band’s mastery of their music as a whole was outstanding as well as was their group cohesion. You can listen to the live set from the show on February 21, 2013 at the Highline Ballroom at http://www.nyctaper.com/2013/03/kung-fu-february-21-2013-highline-ballroom-flacmp3streaming/.
Seeing Kung Fu live isn’t just a musical experience, it’s a complete mind, body and soul experience! This psychedelic, electro-seemingly offspring of jazz, funk, rock and jam always incorporates exquisite solos, far surpassing a mere groove. Kung Fu continues on their tour making their next appearance tomorrow, Saturday, April 6, on Stage One at The Fairfield Theatre Company. The band’s set begins at approximately 7:30pm. I will be attending this performance as well and anxiously await the epic dance party that will unfold in Connecticut, as the Theatre is moving the seats out in order to provide an open dance floor for all the funky beings there. I also plan on seeing Kung Fu perform at several festivals this summer, including Rooster Walk 5, Mountain Jam, Soupstock Music and Arts Festival, Disc Jam, Mad Tea Party Jam, Gathering of the Vibes and the Big Up. If you enjoyed this jazz-funk fusion, Enter the Dragon and purchase Kung Fu’s self-titled album, Kung Fu, released in 2011 by Dojo Music LLC. Also, be sure to check out Kung Fu on their upcoming tour dates at The Wescott Theater on Thursday April 11th, Nietzche’s on Friday April 12th, Hudson Valley Spa and Resort on Saturday April 13th, Middle East Restaurant and Night Club on Thursday April 18th, the Pearl Street Ballroom on Friday April 19th and Higher Ground on Saturday April 20th.
Set List:
The Hammer
Steppin’ In It
Chakrabarty Overdrive
Bopcorn
God Made Me Funky
Barometic Weather
Standing on the Verge of Getting it On
Do the Right Thing
S’All Good
Gung Ho
Hollywood Kisses
Bringing Up the Rear
Review by Rebecca Wolfe
Photography by Rebecca Wolfe
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