A new one from the Djembe Funk solo project.
I’ve been working different things I can do vocally that don’t tame the Djembe Funk vibe I got going on with my little solo band. I found a monster in that. It has roots in Fela Kuti, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s not as good as any of them. But It does have roots there.
Scat-Singing and me.
I record improv bass, guitar, and djembe all the time. I wound up at scat-singing by using my voice in there. The Djembe Funk thing is a full half if not more of improv. The reason I struggled with lyrics or a vocal was because there was no element of improvisation before I stumbled onto scat-singing for this music.
As a kid, I got a kick out of it. As an adult, I’d marvel at it. I guess I had to try it for myself. I’m going to keep playing with it too. I feel like it’s worth pursuing. I like that feeling. It’s like finding a new adventure.
Djembe Funk is a solo project, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like guests.
If you hear something you’d like to jam with on a Djembe Funk jam, hit me up. [email protected]. There’s all kinds of room for horns, unique voices, amazing percussion, African-influenced sounds of all types, and fun. I got djembe, but I’m even open to MORE djembe. It’d be fun. Want to get kooky? Consider a jam.
We’re talking a 70’s AfroRock/AfroBeat vibe here. I think that music is glorious.
Fela Kuti and you.
A while back a friend producer, (Brady Jo, it was Brady okay?), turned me on to Fela Kuti. Brady and I have worked a lot together so I trust him when he says stuff like, “you should probably check out Fela Kuti.” So I did check him out. Brady was onto something. I love Afro Beat and Afro Rock. Brady knew I would. One of the many reasons I love having musician-friends is getting to hear cool music they like. This was probably the greatest example of that in 10 years. Fela Kuti is hugely important to me now. The vibe, the skill, the huge sounds, the percussive exotic rhythms, all of it. I am just in love with it. Fela Kuti is a huge reason Djembe Funk exists. So, had to say thanks to Brady Jo. He hit a home run with this recommendation. If you get a chance to check out Brady or Fela, you won’t regret it.
This is fun, but it’s also learning.
I am learning how to make different styles of music than I grew up with. I am learning to live without drum sets. I am learning different ways to sing. I am learning the billyfuck out of fretless bass and electric guitar. That’s just the tip of the iceberg in what I am learning with this. And I haven’t even made the album yet. Lots to come.
“Sad Little Monster” isn’t perfect or nothin’.
This project isn’t about progress or perfection. There’s lots of music out there for that. This music is about vibe to me. It’s just jams. I am jamming with myself here. There will be errors. It’s over half improvisation and that’s not exactly my forte. I love doing it. I love when things “happen.” So, I pluck out sounds unafraid of errors or scrutiny. This is that. Shit happens. I like that.
Album in the works.
Djembe Funk will have an album next year if I’m lucky. The vibe has shifted to album jamming. This was the last little single thing I had. On the album, I’m going to throw a lot at it, see what sticks. Would hate to miss out on that part. It’s the most fun part sometimes.
I hope you enjoy this, I sure did.
This is purely selfish work to me. That said, I do hope you enjoy it. I think there’s a chance of it. I would have just kept it on my drive if I didn’t. I am not saying a big chance, but big enough. I think we need chances. We need to take them, and we need to give them. How cool is that? This is literally opportunity. Thanks, enjoy.
return to home.
