James Genus - Some Skunk Funk

[jamie'sdad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg8adPaCgeY

Have never heard a live version of this ... seriously freaking fast OMG

[Jazz Ad]

It is the most difficult bass line I ever had to learn. It took me almost a year to play it with a good flow.

[KJung]

Smokin'. I had the pleasure of seeing the opening night of that reunion tour at the Blue Note in New York. Genus was smokin', and also working HARD on those tunes. It was funny, Genus was concentrating so hard it looked like it hurt, and Chambers looked like he was thinking about what he was going to watch on TV after the gig.

The fun thing about that tour, is I got to see them a couple months later in St. Louis when Weckl replaced Chambers on that tour. It gave the band a totally different feel (duh), more precise, less grooving.

I don't like the Brecker Brothers music very much, but the execution is just amazing.

[Deacon_Blues]

So you found the best tune by The Brecker Brothers. I always liked the live versions better than the studio version.

Too bad you didn't see more of James Genus in that video, the bass playing was something extraordinary.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by jamie'sdad

Have never heard a live version of this ... seriously freaking fast OMG

Check out the Brecker Brothers' Heavy Metal Bebop...it's an early live album.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by KJung

I don't like the Brecker Brothers music very much, but the execution is just amazing.

I have always liked their crazy, angular, hyper-fast heads.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by JimK

Check out the Brecker Brothers' Heavy Metal Bebop...it's an early live album.

The actually put out a live CD of this tour also. The recording quality was a bit disappointing, but the playing is wonderful.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by JimK

I have always liked their crazy, angular, hyper-fast heads.

Yeah, it's a love it/hate it sort of thing. Their music always sounded like guys in college jazz bands trying to be hip (modal, tight, complex, and soul-less to my ear!). Again, amazing, but not much beauty in the music... lot's of chops though. That being said, I really dug much of Michael's solo work, and I think I own just about everything he did. Randy... not so much

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

It is the most difficult bass line I ever had to learn. It took me almost a year to play it with a good flow.

Really? Huh... I glommed onto that tune when I first heard it on a Billy Cobham album in the late 70's, & learned the bassline in a day or two (it helped having the Real Book transcription). When I went to college I was like this weird idiot-savant freak: I'd be struggling to play "All Blues" or "Night In Tunisia", but then the bandleader would call "Some Skunk Funk" and I'd nail that puppy!

[mebusdriver]

Man they squeezed all the groove out of that one. I swear I've seen like 50 live versions of this song, and every time they're playing it faster. I think it might have been a thing with them when they played that live. "Let's see how fast we can rip this one"

[LilRay]

Great Video.

Thanks for the post.

God Bless, Ray

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by mebusdriver

Man they squeezed all the groove out of that one. I swear I've seen like 50 live versions of this song, and every time they're playing it faster. I think it might have been a thing with them when they played that live. "Let's see how fast we can rip this one"

I agree. Over the years I have played a number of Brecker tunes. To me this song in particular seems to get faster and faster. I think at this speed it lost the groove but its a nice chops video. Michael is amazing as always. I disagree with one of the post I think Randy played well as always. Genus and Chambers is a nice combination. They play well together as really did a good job with the tune at the mega speed it was played. But I still feel it lost its groove at this speed but impressive.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by KJung

Yeah, it's a love it/hate it sort of thing. Their music always sounded like guys in college jazz bands trying to be hip (modal, tight, complex, and soul-less to my ear!). Again, amazing, but not much beauty in the music... lot's of chops though. That being said, I really dug much of Michael's solo work, and I think I own just about everything he did. Randy... not so much

I see where you're coming from. I did like their one hit single, "Sneaking Up Behind You," with Will Lee on bass and vocals.

[burk48237]

James Genius has done a lot of Recording with Charlie Peacock a Christian artist (I almost hate to use the term because his music is so eclectic). He appeared on Kingdom Come, and an Avant Guard Jazz CD Charlie did called Love press Ex-curio where he shares the bass duties with Victor Wooten. Charlie has always had great players,Tommy Sims was in his first road band.

You can hear some of "Love Press Ex-curio" here.

http://www.charliepeacock.com/

[Tony-bobs]

I played that one in high school, only much slower. much slower...and our trumpet player didn't look like a lumberjack. i think that really adds something to the mix you know...

[jerry]

Originally Posted by JimK

I have always liked their crazy, angular, hyper-fast heads.

+1, Special place in my heart for the Brecker Brothers!

[NorCal Dog]

Originally Posted by Tony-bobs

I played that one in high school, only much slower. much slower...and our trumpet player didn't look like a lumberjack. i think that really adds something to the mix you know...

+1

i watched the clip & was thinking,,,

I did not know that Red Green could blow a horn like that

( or more like Dude,, you're in the big leagues,,,, dress the part )

[Buogon]

I'm currently playing this on upright, and working some Randy charts.