Djembe Funk is here.

Me with bass, djembe, and guitar. All I need.

I did it. I started a funk/rock band with myself.

I have a couple of friends who have gotten me into funk over the last few years. I always liked it. But the desire to try it was instilled in me by bkbirge and Brady Jo. They are excellent producers who like funky rock stuff. We’ve known each other for a while. They rubbed their funk vibes all over me and I can’t get it off. Don’t even want to.

It took a long time.

I was sick for a while. I also had to learn things. I also had to experience the corruption and hate coming from this trump regime. All of that together, after a while, funk came out. It really wasn’t anything I did, it just happened. Now funk is a part of my life. I listen to 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s funk every day. Bootsy has a recent album, listened to that too. What’s more, playing djembe everyday has dramatically improved my Tardive Dyskinesia. (Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive body movements, often resulting from long-term use of certain medications, particularly antipsychotics. Symptoms can include grimacing, lip smacking, and uncontrolled movements of the limbs and face, and while treatment may help manage symptoms, the condition is often not reversible (wiki)..) Funk is here to stay, obviously.

I have herky jerky movement in my face, hands, legs. I also grunt and grimace a lot. Often folks ask me what’s wrong when I am in a great mood. I just don’t have the control over my face I used to. I do not notice it near as often when I’m serious about djembe practice daily. If you should happen to be suffering from a movement disorder, if you are able, get a hand drum and keep a beat. For me, it fights it. Good luck.

I love my Friday shirt. I think Sadie likes it too.

What’s protest got to do with it?

If you watch a documentary about funk like the free one on YouTube that came out recently, “We Want the Funk,” you can’t escape protest. See, white bastards in the USA have had it in for Black Folks since before the country was born. You may not be a racist, true, but we all have inherited racism. I like to think funk is fighting that. I’m all in.

I don’t do religion, god, spirits, or even “beliefs.” I do know that black folks have had a shitty deal. I realize I personally didn’t do anything I know of to harm anyone. However, I inherited harm. Funk is me getting rid of that in a healthy way. I have a dream, not a belief, just a dream, that violence and oppression will be wiped out and justice will be seen. Until that happens, at least there’s funk.

Why the name, “Djembe Funk?”

These songs all start out on Djembe. I improvise on top of a good few minutes of solid drumming. I hear beats, patterns, turnarounds, all that in the djembe. After I got a good few minutes of drumming, I improvise with the fretless bass, then Les Paul. But they start out djembe. It’s just how I do it. I hear notes on certain beats when playing back, go for those notes. Funk is just cooler sounding than Funk/Rock Fusion. I actually want folks to check it out. lol.

Collaborations?

I am always down to celebrate funk with anyone who wants to. If you can sing a protest top-line, play a lead, play real drums, or keys, horns, anything.. get in touch. [email protected].

Finally, yes.. I am serious.

I realize a lot of folks do things differently. I realize DIY funky rock fusion isn’t going to sell platinum. But I am taking care of myself and making something enjoyable to the right folks. It’s okay if you aren’t into the new stuff. It isn’t your musical journey. It’s mine. And funk is here to stay.

Return to home.

I’m Kelly and I love Les Paul guitars played loudly.

You can listen to Djembe Funk for free here.

I’ve long given up the notion of making any money on music I write. Don’t worry about paying for it if you don’t want or don’t have. Just enjoy the music. I make money other ways. It doesn’t HAVE to be like that. I am happy to make music. I’d do it even if no one listened. It’s not like I feel ripped or anything. I got all this stuff to make music with. Might as well.

Bandcamp is a cool but I also have a Soundcloud too. Whatever’s clever.

If you would just like a sample to listen to here, happy to provide. Thanks.

“Citrus Fruit” from Djembe Funk Debut EP on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.

Thanks for riding along. We are headed to some fun places. Bring snacks. Always bring snacks.