If Anderson Paak “spent years…living under his greatness” like he tells us in The Season/Carry Me’, then he’s definitely made up for it tenfold in recent times. New testament to that is the fact that he The Free Nationals just achieved something I’ve rarely seen done by any performing artists in Australia.

Without even really trying they had the usually laid back, hard to motivate Aussie crowds at their Laneway Festival and sold-out sideshows singing the lyrics to every song, even down to Paak’s characteristic “uhs” between lines in ‘The Bird’. At the end of the opening song ‘Come Down’, and all others that followed in the set, the Sydney Metro Theatre crowd clapped and screamed almost endlessly, like they usually might do only at the very end of a killer show when desperately wanting an encore.

That wild, welcoming, appreciative response by Australian audiences on the bands first visit was undoubtedly well deserved. But it still surprised me. And seemed to also spin out Anderson Paak with him shaking his head, smiling widely and promising well be back soon.

Anderson Paak The Free Nationals live at the Sydney Metro Theatre

Before these Laneway shows I had no doubt that Anderson Paak has delivered three of this decades greatest, most innovative and unique albums in Venice, Malibu and Yes Lawd!. Not to mention the long list of songs on which he’s collaborated with equally-incredible artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, Kaytranada, Dr. Dre and ScHoolboy Q (to name just a few).

Paak has an astonishing level of musicality; songwriting, production and drumming skills beyond reproach; a vocal style like no other; lyrical honesty and wit, and the ability to seamlessly fuse the sublime sounds of funk, RB and hip hop. Those things and more make him pretty damn special amongst even the world’s dopest contemporary artists. It’s no wonder so many of them have jumped at the chance to collaborate with him or seem to be lining up to do so in the future.

After experiencing Anderson Paak and The Free Nationals (Jose Rios, Ron Tnava Avant, Kelsey Gonzales Callum Connor) deliver flawless live performances and bring his songs to life in full, magnificent force (with more swagger than any one man should be allowed to have btw), my faith in and gratitude to Anderson Paak are even stronger. And my hopes are higher for the future of music too (they were pretty low, and getting lower). Paak turned only 32 while in Australia and it’s exciting that he has so many years ahead to keep creating and sharing music including this year when we can expect the release of another solo album plus one with The Free Nationals.

Surely by now everyone out there is onto the greatness of Anderson Paak and his music, right? Seems that Australians are. If not, do yourself a big favour and check out these sample tracks (mp3 versions only) from Venice, Malibu and Yes Lawd! (available on sweet vinyl) as well as the video snippets below from his Sydney Metro Theatre and Brisbane Laneway Festival shows.

Miss Right by Anderson Paak Venice

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The Waters by Anderson Paak Malibu

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Suede by NxWorries Yes Lawd!

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Here’s hoping Anderson Paak continues on his path of musical greatness for a very long time to come. And that his music inspires new artists to achieve the same on their own path. Thanks be to Paak and The Free Nationals for their first crazy-amazing Australian performances and to St. Jeromes Laneway Festival 2018 for making them happen.

Since the tick-over of the calendar year is when people stop to reflect on the year gone and the one ahead, it seems like a good time to talk about Keyon Harrold’s album The Mugician: undoubtedly one of the greatest music offerings of 2017 with timely, important messages to take forward into 2018 and beyond.

The Mugician (2017)

The album’s 12 eclectic tracks are the fruits of years of labour by the trumpeter, vocalist, composer and producer who’s spent decades creating music with the creme de la creme of contemporary jazz, hip hop and soul artists, touring with Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour and more recently playing trumpet for the Miles Davis character in the Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead.

The Mugician is but one of Keyon Harrold’s countless musical accomplishments. But this one he himself has sown, nurtured and led to its fruition with contributions from a long list of equally-superb contemporary musicians and vocalists who delivered, in their own respective projects, some of the other great music offerings of 2017 and probably will this coming year too. Georgia Anne Muldrow, Robert Glasper, Gary Clark Jr, Pharoahe Monch, Bilal, Josh David Barrett, Terrace Martin, Marcus Strickland, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Pino Palladino, Jermaine Holmes, Andrea Pizziconi, Brandon Owens and Big K.R.I.T. are amongst them.

Robert Glasper Marcus Strickland Jermaine Holmes Pino Palladino

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On The Mugician Keyon Harrold and those artists deliver musical and lyrical themes that are a necessary reflection on,  and questioning of, the unjust and seemingly-insane times in which we live. Songs like ‘Broken News’ and ‘Circus Show’ highlight last years U.S. news headlines about the plight of refugees, climate change, inadequate health care, police violence and poverty and ask the question everyone around the world is or should be asking: “What the hell’s goin on?”. ‘When Will It Stop?’ is another fundamental question asked in reference to sexism, bigotry, xenophobia, homophobia, homelessness, classism and the granddaddy of them all: racism”. ‘MB Lament’ also, is a beautiful instrumental ode to Michael Brown, one of the many African-American victims of unjustified police shootings in recent years.

Thankfully there are artists like Keyon Harrold and his collaborators bringing attention to these issues through music’s wide reach; and doing so in a way that conveys the necessary feeling of urgency.

Thankfully also and equally important, is that the rest of the songs on The Mugician deliver strong messages of love and hope. And when reflecting on both the past and future years, it’s clear that we all need lots more love and hope. Just like we all desperately need the healing power of music and the “mugicians making it something the album’s title track is a beautiful reminder of.

Reflecting on matters beyond the albums themes, on music more generally, this Keyon Harrold creation is a refreshing reminder of other things: that there are still musicians in the world today continuously working hard at their craft no matter how long theyve been doing it for; that fresh, innovative, original sounding music can still be created; that its a beautiful thing to hold and hear a body of art in the form of an album; that artists don’t need to fit their music inside any one genre box. Its ok to incorporate elements of jazz, hip hop, classical, RB, reggae and Afro Beat like Keyon Harrold has on The Mugician, as long as its composed well, played well and makes the listener feel; and, that its a rare and delightful thing to see a trumpeter take the lead in directing, composing and producing music projects with the voice of the trumpet as an integral focus of the music.

Finally and fundamentally, this album reminds us that in spite of and because of the challenging, unjust world humans have created, music (and love too) are the greatest and most-needed healing forces.

Listen here to 2 tracks from the The Mugician, remembering these are mere super-compressed mp3 versions. If you like what you hear you know what to do: support Keyon Harrold and his collaborators working their healing magic on us, by buying  the album on sweet vinyl, cd, or digitally if you must.

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Catch Keyon Harrold performing live wherever you can. The experience of hearing him play the trumpet and where he’s guaranteed to surround himself on stage with the highest calibre of musicians, is truly sublime.  You can check out videos of Keyon Harrold performing live in New York and Melbourne, and an interview with him here.

In their song Arithmetic Water Seed proclaim they “got that funk”. And they most definitely do. That delightful, glorious funk, created with killer musicianship, so rare to find in new music being made around the world these days.

We Are Stars, Water Seed’s most recent studio album, is a body of work made up of 14 sublime tracks which somehow simultaneously sound like they’re from musical eras long gone and eras yet to come. Their sound is incredibly unique in 2017. And each song has been composed and performed by its creators into a living, breathing thing bursting with personality, energy and emotion all of which has a consistent feel-good effect on the listener.

We Are Stars (2017)

So too does the fact that this album is full of positive, inspiring lyrical messages for all to hear and heed about the life and world we can create for ourselves and others on the planet, if we just choose to do so. In the words of founding band member Lou Reed:

“We Are Stars is much bigger than us. It’s about that dreamer that believing they can make a difference. It’s about that artist that needs encouragement. It’s about that person that goes to work everyday and needs a life line to feel needed and important again. It’s about a new generation of people that understand that we are more alike than different. We are all connected. We are all important to the human experience. We are greater than what the world may tell us we are. We are intergalactic and eternal. We are stardust. We are stars.”

It seems a travesty we don’t hear Water Seed songs blasting from all radios and music listening devices around the world. Im sure wed live in happier times if we did.

Go ahead and let Water Seed’s music move you. Let it groove you, inspire you and heal you like good music medicine does.  Remember these versions here are just lowly mp3s.

Open Sesame by Water Seed We Are Stars

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Arithmetic by Water Seed We Are Stars

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You can support the future of funk and the fruits of Water Seed’s labours by buying We Are Stars in its uncompressed hard-copy glory to add to your Forever-After Music Collection. Also check out previous Water Seed releases here.

The next step is to find yourself what Im sure is the ultimate Water Seed experience: a live show. Check out concert dates in their home town of New Orleans or elsewhere around the world here.

Water Seed’s core members are Lou Hill, J. Sharp, Cinese Love, Shaleyah and Berkley the Artist with additional contributions by musicians Willie Martin, Harry Morter Jr, Grant Hudson and Jean-Paul Brion.

George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic or Xavier Rudd: whose show would you have chosen at Caloundra Music Festival 2017? It’s a no-brainer right? We want the funk! Gotta have that funk.

Unfortunately for most festival goers they didn’t choose the funk. Why, is beyond my comprehension. But it made for a special, intimate and mind-blowing experience for those of us who wisely joined George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic for the 50th anniversary show of their first hit single (I Wanna) Testify.

George Clinton live at Caloundra Music Festival 2017

Those two precious hours spent listening to George Clinton and three generations of P Funk family members passed in a glorious flash. Even after their long haul flight to Australia with two preceding shows in different cities and despite a very average sound mix at the stage, the group still performed an extraordinary show which brilliantly showcased five decades of music created by and profoundly influenced by Parliament Funkadelic in its many incarnations.

This was a refreshingly different set to Parliament Funkadelic shows I’ve seen in recent years. Yes we got the always awe-inspiring experience of hearing Blackbyrd McKnights wailing guitar in “Maggot Brain” and saw the usual acrobatic dance appearance from Mr Nose (aka Carlos McMurray) in “Flashlight”. And we most definitely got the funk and more funk with other classics like “Atomic Dog”, “One Nation Under a Groove”, “Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” and “Not Just Knee Deep”. But some songs were changed up with slower tempos than the original versions. Plus we got an unexpected heavy metal hard-on when Trafel Lewis (Gods Weapon) led the group in “Dirty Queen”.

Dirty Queen by Funkadelic featuring Gods Weapon first ya gotta Shake the Gate

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We also jumped our hip hop-happy asses round more than usual as they performed over a sample of Kendrick Lamar’s “Wesley’s Theory” (which features George Clinton) and while Tra’zae Lewis-Clinton spat vocals on “Baby Like Fonkin’ It Up”. And we heard other songs from Funkadelics latest release first ya gotta Shake The Gate in longer, chunkier forms than more condensed medleys of them including “Meow Meow” led by the delightful and super-talented kitty cat Brandi Scott.

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We also admirably witnessed George Clinton still jumping up and down on stage in his intergalactic get-up at the youthful age of 76. And heard him sing on the mic more so than in recent shows, including for a performance of the autobiographical tune “Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?”.

Xavier Rudd punters and others in this world may not truly appreciate it yet. But all of us on this earth are so much richer now and forever after, to have, hear and get down to all of the music created by George Clinton, Parliament, Funkadelic and P Funk in its various incarnations during the past 50 years. Blessed beyond measure is anyone who gets to experience hearing that music it in its most sublime form, live.

Thanks be to George Clinton and the Australian touring members of Parliament Funkadelic for another unforgettable performance at Caloundra Music Festival 2017: Blackbyrd McKnight (guitar), Danny Bedrosian (keys), Benjamin Benzel Cowan (drums) Lige Curry (bass), Greg Thomas (saxophone/vocals), Garrett Shider (guitar/vocals), Trafel Lewis (guitar/vocals), Thurteen, Brandi Scott, Patavian Lewis, Tonysha Nelson (vocals) and Carlos McMurray (Mr Nose).

When L.A. artist Miles Mosley sings “mediocrity is everywhere, but not here” on his album Uprising, I have to agree. In 2017 jazz and funk music lovers will be hard-pressed trying to find the type and quality of sounds offered up on this album.

Uprising (2017)

Its 11 tracks were among 190 recorded by a collective of some of todays most innovative artists and killer musicians during the one-month long West Coast Get Down sessions in L.A. Both Uprising and Kamasi Washington’s double album The Epic were amongst the fruits of those studio labours.

Miles Mosley is responsible for playing bass, composing, producing and arranging on most of Uprisings tracks. And as well as Kamasi Washington contributional credits go to West Coast Get Down members Zane Musa (tenor saxophone) Christopher Gray, James Ford and Dontae Winslow (trumpet) Tony Austin (drums/production/engineering), Brandon Coleman (keys) Patrice Quinn (vocals/production) Ryan Porter (trombone) Cameron Graves (piano) Barbara Sealy (production/lyrics) Leah Zener and Ray Suen (violin) Tom Lea and Mike Whitson (viola) Peter Jacobson and Chris Votek (cello) and Allakoi Pete (percussion).

Patrice Quinn Ryan Porter Kamasi Washington Brandon Coleman

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Uprising’s song lyrics and their delivery by Miles Mosley exude strength, determination, confidence and passion. And when you hear them you can’t help but feel the contagiousness of those qualities.

Hear the absence of mediocrity for yourself in these two sample tracks from Uprising. The usual ‘mp3-only’ warning applies.  So does the recommendation to support Miles Mosley and his collaborators by buying a hard copy of the full album in its uncompressed sonic glory.

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Also check out this video snippet of Miles Mosley performing the album’s first single “Abraham” with Kamasi Washington The Next Step live at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016.

How do people living in New York City find the time to work when the music and dance experiences on offer seem endless? That’s what I asked myself daily as I struggled to fit in the bare necessities of sleeping and eating while fulfilling my one and only New York commitment: soaking up as much live music and dance as possible. 

I rose to the challenge, managing to fit 50 music and dance events into four happy weeks. Some I wouldn’t choose again if I had my time over. But any disappointments at the time didnt matter. Knowing that the next day in New York and every one after would bring many more, is a blessed thing and a heavenly feeling for any beaver on the beats.

Robert Glasper

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Getting on top of the live gigs and parties on offer and selectively choosing between them is key to finding yourself the most sublime of musical experiences in whatever time you have there. Of course if you’re actually living in New York City it’s a different story. Missing out on one act because you’ve chosen another on the same night, or because you have to work, isn’t a big deal ‘cause the one that got away this time will play another show soon enough.

If you are music-holidaying then its best to pick a Summer-time visit. Festivals, concerts, parties, dance comps and other music events happen all year round in New York City. But like most places in the world the warmer months bring a whole lot more. And lots are free. Checking out the programs for Summerstage, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, Northside Festival and Blue Note Jazz Festival is a great start.

Kamasi Washington The Next Step at Northside Festival 2017

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So many shows you want to get to, some of them the same night and only 24 hours in a day. Yep, its tough. But you can fit more into one day than you think. Lots of venues have early and late shows to choose from in a night. The same artist is often playing both. Short and long term artist residencies are common so you might have multiple nights to catch them. Parties and dance comps happen at all different times of the afternoon and evening. 

Know whats on when, be organised and you can move from one event to the next with gluttonous ease.

Geographically speaking New York City isnt actually that big. But the cultural diversity found between and within its different neighbourhoods is incredibly rich and beautiful. Getting a feel for its many flavours and discovering your favourites by checking out music events all over the city is super-rewarding.

Higher end clubs might be your thing. Youll find plenty in hoods like the Meatpacking District. Jazz heads will find lots of choices in West Village and Greenwich Village. You can place yourself in a more uptight environment at venues like Blue Note or the Village Vanguard; or go for a friendlier, freer, less pretentious vibe at venues like Smalls or its nearly sister club Mezzrow.

Happier in outdoor music spaces? Then head to a joyous weekend party on Coney Island Boardwalk. Or hang out in Central Park and wander between African drummers and dancers, Summerstage concerts, a mens doo wop group and dance skaters.

Robert Glasper Experiment at SummerStage 2017

To check out hip hops birth place get to The Bronx for a dance competition. Party an afternoon away with Puerto Ricans in a Spanish Harlem park. And get your skanking fix at a reggae gig in Jamaica, Queens. Dress up and cross city lines for a concert at New Jersey Performing Arts Centre. Or maybe youre brave enough to make your way through the freaky of Times Square for a live show at BB King.

If youre comfortable amongst a privileged, hipster crowd then choose gigs in the super-gentrified Williamsburg. To experience a broader reflection of Brooklyns diversity get to a family friendly, good vibes concert at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival.

Bilal at Celebrate Brooklyn 2017

Consider venues when you make your event choices. A venue and the people it brings, no matter what the band sounds like, can make the difference between a good and a bad music experience.

If you dont want to be in a crowd of people talking so much it’s hard to hear the performance; or trying to dance on a sticky floor with alcohol spilled across it, youll need to give some venues a miss. I went to three frustrating gigs like that at Brooklyn Bowl before I reluctantly had to cross it off my options list despite its great program of acts.

Son Little with Soulive at Brooklyn Bowl

If youd rather be in a space where people around you are there to actually listen and appreciate the music; where its simply understood or you’re expressly asked not to use your phone, youll find joy at venues like Smalls, the Village Vanguard and Blue Note.  For a totally unique experience of that kind, check out regular open mic nights like All That Hip Hop Poetry Jazz at Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

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Long-beloved artists whove been making and performing music for many decades wont be around to do so much longer. You might want to prioritise their shows over those of younger acts while you still can. Sometimes those choices will pay off. Sometimes not.

Making the mission to Only In Queens Summer Festival to be amongst all corners of the world hearing George Clinton and the all-ages members of Parliament Funkadelic kill it on stage again, was the perfect choice.

Paying dearly to sit through the tackiness and cheese of tassled, sparkly, bikini-clad dancers fawning over Ronald and Ernie Isley as they performed at The Isley Brothers concert was not.

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Turns out after all that my most rewarding New York event choices were to check out the fresh sounds, many of them improvised, being created by more contemporary acts especially the ones playing in more informal, laid-back venues. Kris Bowers, Joel Ross Good Vibes, Keyon Harrold, Robert Glasper Experiment, Taylor McFerrin with Marcus Gilmore and revered Tiny Desk winners Tank and the Bangas were amongst them.

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Tank and the Bangas at Blue Note

Parties put on in bars and clubs. Neighbourhood block parties. Rooftop parties. Parties on Coney Island Boardwalk. Parties in city parks. Vinyl Parties amongst the neon lights of Times Square. New York City is a music and dance lovers’ delight for its choices of dope parties. One of your best chances for finding them is to regularly check events posted on DanceDeets. And of course when you find a DJ you’re into, follow him or her to their next gig.

Visual arts lovers could wisely choose to start their Tuesday night at the Delancey for Collage NYC. There you can dance to killer DJs as New York City artists create musically-themed artworks before your eyes.

Discover all your choices by keeping a check on social media sites for upcoming shows by your beloved artists; and subscribing to venue and event mailing lists until your inbox can’t take no more. 

These here sites will give music-holidayers a heap of choices to start filling their New York City Summer days and nights: Governors Ball Festival Northside Festival SummerStage Blue Note Jazz Festival BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Hot 97 Summer Jam Brooklyn Academy of Music AfroPunk Brooklyn Based New York Live Arts Brooklyn Bazaar  Do NYC The Joyce Theatre Jazz at Lincoln Centre 92y Le Poisson Rouge Smoke Jazz Club Smalls Live Mezzrow Red Rooster Zinc Bar The McKittrick Hotel  Fat Cat  55 Bar Arlenes Grocery Bowery Electric Nuyorican Poets Cafe The Kitchen BB King Blues Mintons National Sawdust Birdland Jazz Club Symphony Space  Brooklyn Bowl Blue Note Jazz Club Highline Ballroom Cielo  DanceDeets.

One time in Colombia a musicologist told me that Bogota is the music capital of the world. Now for sure Bogota has a rich and thriving music scene. But I had to doubt his statement in light of what New York City is famous for offering.

I’ve now been music-holidaying in both cities and am sure he was wrong. Even if there is such a thing as the music capital of the world New York City must trump Bogota and most, if not all world cities as being It, surely? Every scene, every music genres and every type of event is available for the taking in New York seven days and nights. So Ill never figure out how its music loving residents find the time to work. But I know its a heavenly-sublime city for any beaver on the beats to live in or visit.  

Get your glimpse here of a tiny handful of the countless New York City music events that went down in Summer 2017.

Check out more videos by clicking on the artist/event name:

George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic The Whispers Kamasi Washington  Keyon Harrold Ben Williams bass solo Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch The Soul Rebels   Alice Smith Bilal Kris Bowers Son Little with Soulive Griz with Soulive Cover Story Doo Wop The Isley Brothers  Taylor McFerrin Marcus Gilmore Robert Glasper Experiment Karl Denson with Soulive Tank and the Bangas   Joel Ross Good Vibes  Lesedi Ntsane   Break 4 Justice Dance Battles Final Dance Battle LGNDS: The Return

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