Rock Candy Funk Party: Takes New York - Live at the Iridium
Behind-the-Scenes Episodes
Joy. Exuberance. Having a blast. These are the feelings that come to mind when you watch or listen to a Rock Candy Funk Party performance. But for all the unbridled delight generated by this band, they never once sacrifice an iota of instrumental prowess or virtuosity. This music is seriously great and seriously fun. Rock Candy Funk Party’s Takes New York: Live at The Iridium was a show recorded during the band’s June 2013 run at the landmark New York City midtown jazz venue, The Iridium, and the groove fits in perfectly with the bright lights and brisk pace of the big city. Founding member, album producer, and drummer extraordinaire Tal Bergman proclaims, “This is a band that is fueled by pure fun,” and you can hear it in every beat he hits on the vivacious opening track, “Octopus-e,” a tune loosely inspired by the James Bond motif and infamous Bond character of the track’s name.
The spirited nature of the show kicks into an even higher gear with the vaguely ominous opening power chords of “Work,” but the band is only just getting started. “We Want Groove,” the title track of their debut studio recording, takes much of its inspiration from the Miles Davis jazz-funk classic “We Want Miles,” and Rock Candy Funk Party are true heirs to that rich legacy started by the music of Davis as well as Herbie Hancock.
And speaking of Mr. Hancock, Renato Neto is a true pro at kicking out space-age funk and groove from his impressive keyboarding. Augmenting the infectious groove of Bergman on drums is the mesmerizing Daniel Sadownick on percussion, and the interplay between the two keepers of the beat is truly a pleasure to behold. Yet, the boys no how to jam a slow groove too, with the sultry, sexy “New York Song” taking the tempo down but skyrocketing the heat in the room. But the party atmosphere explodes again thanks in part to the break-neck, wild four-finger fretwork of Mike Merritt’s bass on “Spaztastic.” Of course, it’s impossible to talk about the exquisite musicianship on this set without mentioning the amazing technical expertise of the guitar playing from Joe Bonamassa and Ron DeJesus, who seem to be attempting to out-funk each other at every turn to the benefit of the audience.
The musical flair and brilliance from the entire band might be most on display on the album’s final track, “One Phone Call,” which gives everyone in the band a chance to truly shine and show off their unbelievable chops. A phenomenal set all the way around, Rock Candy Funk Party’s Take New York: Live at the Iridium is not to be missed by any jazz fan, funk fan, Joe Bonamassa fan, or fan of amazing music period.
Written By: Brian Reiser - J&R Adventures
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