November 18th, 2008 by Pete
he showed up on Letterman last night. Well, sort of… 
Edit: Wow, they’re quick. No mas for this YouTube clip. If anyone else sees the video out there, post in the comments. I don’t know about you, but I’m not gonna let the elevator bring me down…
Posted in Funk, Prince, Video | No Comments »
September 12th, 2008 by Kelly
I’m working on a mix cd for a friend tonight and when I spotted “Glamour Boys” by Living Colour in my iTunes, I immediately ran over to YouTube to watch the video. Of course, they have embedding disabled on the original video, so you’ll just have to follow the link to go watch it. It’s in my top 10 favorite videos of the late ’80s. It’s making my Friday night a little more fun, and I hope it does the same for you.
Here’s a live version, which is fantastic, despite the lack of Ken dolls:
And, in case you want the song to play over and over on your iPod:
Living Colour - Glamour Boys
Posted in Funk, Rock, Video | 1 Comment »
September 7th, 2008 by Pete
I know I speak for all middle class suburban white males in their late thirties when I ask: “Where the hell is Larry Blackmon??”
Okay, well maybe not - but I do get nostalgic for the funky old days of Cameo from time to time. They were one of the first live acts I ever saw, back when I was 16 and 17 years old. Most know ‘em only for “Word Up”, and maybe for songs like “Candy”, “Attack Me With Your Love”, or “Single Life”. All great tunes from great albums.
But fact is the boys had been around since the early to mid -70’s, when the Julliard-trained Blackmon formed the New York City Players. In ‘76, they changed their name to Cameo and signed to Casablanca’s Chocolate City label.
Their debut, Cardiac Arrest, was released in ‘77, and gave the world what they never lost: danceable, funky music with a heavy dose of quirkiness.
I’m all about the quirk.
Cameo - Rigor Morti
Cardiac Arrest looks to be wayyy out of print, but you can find “Rigor Mortis” and other classics on the The Best of Cameo…
Hot Video Action
Take a look at this great title track to ’82’s “Alligator Woman”…
Oh and you should really take a look at a live performance of “She’s Strange” and “Single Life”…
Oh, and “Attack Me WIth Your Love” and “Candy”, live…
And of course their crossover smash from 1986…
VIVA EL CAMEO!!!
Posted in Funk, R&B | 1 Comment »
July 28th, 2008 by Pete
At one week old, Ickmusic DIY is off to a great start. We have a Cristina post with some mp3’s, a Grace Jones video that will terrify your kids, links to brand new Pretenders tracks, and a look at Barack Obama’s iPod.
I encourage anyone with a passion for music to sign up and contribute! I’ve already learned a lot already, just a few posts in. So go on over and check it out.
Go on and do it, do it, do it ’til you’re satisfied - whatever it is…
B.T. Express - Do It Til You’re Satisfied (mp3)
Buy The Best of B.T. Express
Posted in Funk, R&B | No Comments »
July 23rd, 2008 by Michael
So what’s thirteen years, multiple musical ventures, bad blood and feuding between brothers? For the members of Extreme it appears that it’s not much more than a very long summer vacation. Now before you go judging or recalling their pigeonholing hit “More Than Words” know that this is an older, wiser and slightly disenfranchised Extreme. Not willing to join the reunion circuit, the band has recorded a new record (their fifth) and is headed out on tour starting next Tuesday.
You can check out the first single “Comfortably Dumb” from Extreme’s new record Saudades de Rock at Ultimate-Guitar.
Tour dates after the jump.
Posted in Funk, Rock | 2 Comments »
July 10th, 2008 by Pete
Top Left: Steve Earle works his dobro hard for the Sheridan Opera House crowd.
Top Right: Jonny Lang brings the blues in Mountain Village.
Bottom Left: Junior Brown rocks his guitar / lap-steel hybrid in Mountain Village.
Bottom Right: I ponder life’s great questions with a Franziskaner in hand.
Yes, folks, life was sweet last week. My wife and I plopped the kids into the truck and drove the 9 hours from the Phoenix area to the beautiful San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. We met up with my parents, my two brothers and their families for some 4th of July fun in Telluride, Colorado.
As you can see, the music gods were smiling on me during my vacation. Among the hiking, dining, and fly fishing (3 times, 1 brown trout, and a ton of fun) were these three great events that kept the Ickmusic vibe alive….
Posted in Blues, Funk, Rock, Steve Earle | No Comments »
June 18th, 2008 by Gonzo
I was recently implored to check out Pop Levi, whose music was described to me as “Bowie meets Prince.” Ummm…sign me up!
Only a year after his first full length, The Return to Form Black Magick Party, Liverpool’s own Levi Pop is set to release a follow up this summer, titled Never Never Love. Surprisingly, the Bowie meets Prince descriptor is somewhat accurate, although there’s a good helping of electro pop thrown in as well. It also reminded me a bit of what I’ve heard from Alan Wilkis.
I’ve listened to the album a few times now, and continue to enjoy it more with each listen, particularly the dance-oriented tracks. Here are two of my favorites:
Pop Levi - “Wannamama”
And the video for the title track, Never Never Love:
Never Never Love is slated for a July 15 release, but it appears that it will only be available as an import for now. But keep an eye out - I’m sure a US release (digital or physical) will follow.
Posted in BritPop, Funk, Indie, Pop, Rock, Video | 2 Comments »
May 19th, 2008 by Michael
Falling on the right side of fine line between contrived and convincing, Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Alan Wilkis brings an indie sensibility to the electro-pop sound of the 80’s with a huge dollop of soul on his solo debut Babies Dream Big. From ABBA to Zappa the entire lexicon of pop is well represented and feels so, so good. Among the 10 cuts you’d be hard pressed to find a moment that is not crafted with the utmost respect for it’s influences which range from the Stevie Wonder-esque funk of “It’s Been Great” to the 50’s Motown of the tender “I Wanna Know” with nods to Prince, ELO and Nintendo along the way. This is a must-have for all fans of all things 80’s. Don’t just take my word for it, check out my favorite track “It’s Been Great” below and hop aboard yourself.
Alan Wilkis – It’s Been Great (MP3)
Buy Babies Dream Big: CDBaby | iTunes
Links: on Last.fm | on MySpace
Posted in Electronic, Funk, Indie, R&B, Soul | 2 Comments »
April 14th, 2008 by Pete
They bill themselves as “the unheralded emperors of Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul”. They are white, they are bearded, and they know how to get down in that old school “Dirty Harry” kinda way (this could fit right into ‘The Enforcer‘). Check ‘em out….
The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon (mp3)
From….
Links: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in Funk, Rock, Soul | No Comments »
April 2nd, 2008 by Pete
It is time. It is time to be funked.
Here we have Sly and the Family Stone, live at the Fillmore East, October of 1968. The quality is great, and the funk is flyin’. So wake the neighbors, eat a pork sandwich and call yourself Jim (or Wanda). Yes, that made no sense.
Sly & the Family Stone
Live at the Fillmore East, New York City
October 5th, 1968
M’Lady
Life
Are You Ready
It Won’t Be Long
Color Me True
Dance To The Music
Love City
Turn Me Loose
Outro
Posted in Funk | 3 Comments »
