A Very Spooky Booooty

Brothers, sisters, and booty believers! Allow me to introduce a true modern funk group who not only loves to get down but literally is just all about the booty. Planet Booty resides in northern California and mostly holds shows in the Bay Area. These guys really know how to get the crowd shakin' and singin' and just when you thought you had enough they'll be beggin you to drop it lower!

 Planet Booty started by brothers Nathan and Dylan Germick described themselves as describes themselves as a good ol' fashion funk group that is destined to raise a smile and keep booties bouncing. The 6 piece ensemble fuses a blend of electro-pop, sci-fi synths, and funky booty bass. When all powers combine Planet Booty does more than just fascinate the ear drum. Their witty characters display an ensemble of choreographed dance routines and role playing scenes. 

So Halloween is near and it's about to get real sweaty. Planet Booty will be bringing you the funk at this years Halloween Freakout!-- October 29th at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco. It's time for you to "Unleash your demons on the dance floor admist an intergalactic costume insanity, space funk, electro glam, and circuit bent pop". Also to be droppin' beats will be Hottub DJ's, EasyStreet, and Glowing Stars. Admission is $12 pre-sale and doors open at 8:30!

This is Jazzy Z wishing everyone a safe and funky Halloween--  and whenever you feel the need, get your boogie on, FUNK YEA!

"Juice"-Planet Booty

More Bounce

Funk is all about the beat and the message-- the catchy tune lures people in while the message keeps you swingin' into tomorrow night. This particular band revolutionized music with their hand-clapped drum beat and Roger Troutmans introduction of the talk box. This combination was the groups main stream of inspiration to west coast hip hop and rap. From tours, gold selling albums, and #1 singles Zapp & Roger accomplished it all, and that's why Jazzy Z is making them this months featured artist.

The nucleus of Zapp & Roger circled around two of the five Troutman brothers Lester and Roger. The funk band went through many changes in names and band members-- starting with 11 members. When the Troutman family had connected with funk activists George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, through childhood friend Bootsy Collins (another funk artist), the success began. When invited to join the Parliament Motor Booty Affair tour in 1978, Roger Troutman who was the ring leader, decided to cut the band to just two members. Roger and Lester took their show on the road opening for many major acts including Prince, The Commodores, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Kool & the Gang, and Cameo.

Zapp & Roger saw much more success with funk classics such as "Doo Wa Ditty", "Computer Love", "Heartbreaker", and finally reached #1 on the R&B Charts with "Dance Floor, Part 1". However, no song has seen more reputation than their head bobbing "More Bounce to the Ounce". This catchy line has been seen from the streets of San Francisco (as depicted to the right) to the voices of many famous artists. Mase quotes Zapp & Roger in the Bad Boy remixed "Only You" originally by 112, "Everybody know I got more bounce to the ounce, bad boy gettin mo' money than you can count". Rogers trademarked talk box is featured in "California Love" by 2pac and is still being used by many rap artists today.

Less talkin' & more dancin' you say? Here is "More Bounce to the Ounce", you know where to get your boogie on, FUNK YEA!

"More Bounce to the Ounce"- Zapp & Roger

Funk Castle

Gotta case of the Mondays!? Not to worry party people Friday is only 5 days away and Jazzy Z's got the place to be! I found myself in the middle of soul train last Friday when I walked into Edinburgh Castle. I'm gonna give y'all the inside scoop on the place that will keep those toes tappin and fingers snappin all night long.

Edinburgh Castle is a large and in charge dive bar located in the heart of San Francisco off Geary and Polk in the tenderloin. This bar comes equipped with a pool table, dart board, juke box, classy bartenders, dancing area, an upstairs lookout, smoke room, and tons of seating. The bar has happy hour everyday between 5-8pm as well as other daily shot and food specials. Edinburgh hosts a variety of get-togethers including 1964 night every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month-- following trivia night every Wednesday, live music the last Sunday evening of every month, and Motown the last Saturday of every month.

Friday nights the Castle gets funky as DJ Serious Leisure sparks a flame of dance classics from a variety of genres including funk, soul, motown, and pop. The second I walked in I felt right at home as my ears vibrated to the sweet sound of "ABC" by Jackson Five. Everyone in the bar was feelin the rhythm and moving their feet across the dance floor. As the night went on the beats didn't stop as the DJ continued with artists such as The Temptations, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool & the Gang, and the Commodores. I decided to get a better glimpse of all the excitement by heading upstairs for the overhead view of the entire bar. I stayed until the very last song played and let me tell you the night never got old, and the vibe stayed 100% fly. Also because of there great selection of music in their jukebox, you're able to start a dance party any night of the week!

Now leaving you with a track that will never go unheard during a funky/motown evening, this is Kool & the Gang with "Get Down On It." Get your boogie on... FUNK YEA!

"Get Down On It"-Kool & The Gang

King James I

Welcome, welcome guys and gals.. WOOOO "I Feel Good!" That's because today I'll be writin' bout my man, my partner in crime, a true friend of mine, James Brown. Among his many other well deserved nicknames-- "Soul Brother Number One," "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr. Dynamite," "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business," I'de like to attach one more.... "The King of Funk."

James Joseph Brown Jr. was raised in Elko, South Carolina and later on in Augusta, Georgia. His family was extremely poor and he spent most of his childhood moving in with different family members. After dropping out of school in the 7th grade, James Brown would spend his time raising money by shining shoes, sweeping out stores, washing cars, selling and trading old stamps, and singing in local talent shows. Brown had also performed dance routines to entertain troops at Camp Gordon during WWII. After his short career as a boxer and semi-professional baseball player ended due to a leg injury, Brown turned his energy to music.

For decades, Brown revolutionized music, influencing nearly every strain of pop music that would follow. Through the gospel-impassioned fury of his vocals and complex beats, Brown was one of the figures most responsible for turning R&B into soul, and soul into funk. James Brown reached the top of the charts with singles such as "Get Up, " "I Feel Good," "Papas Got A Brand New Bag," "Living in America," and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." He also won many desirable awards including being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

As the years past his music became more and more hip swingin'. Browns music became ever more funky  with tunes like "Superbad," and "Get Up Offa That Thing." He has been said to influence such amazing funk and pop artists such as Earth Wind & Fire, Prince and Michael Jackson. Browns music has been sampled by innumerable hip-hop producers and DJ's in the 1980's and 90's, helping establish rap as a viable musical form. Rolling Stone named James Brown #7 on their list of most influential artists of all time.

My advice to you is to pick up a James Brown record today! Maybe start with the infamous album "Sex Machine" to get those feet groovin'. I'm gonna sing off with my song of the week "SuperBad" and a list of Jazzy Z's top 5 greatest James Brown hits of all time. As always.. get your boogie on, FUNK YEA!

1. "SuperBad"-James Brown

2. Get On Up
3. Soul Power
4. Get Off That Thing
5. Papa's Gotta Brand New Bag