RB Funkestra with Helena May
““four-minutes of pedal-to-the-floor doo-wop funk…topped off by a sultry vocal turn from Miss May which elevates the track to another level of sophisticated sass””
AfterDark
This incredible London-based 7-piece is led by Austrian bassist Stefan Redtenbacher who draws his inspiration from jazz, funk and soul. Stefan has established himself as the UK’s groove bass player of choice for many artists, with a list of musicians with whom he has worked including Steve Winwood, Sam Brown, Herb Alpert and Danny Gottlieb, while his own recordings feature “jazz/funk” legends Fred Wesley (Parliament, James Brown) and Elliot Randall (Steely Dan). The Funkestra’s name pretty accurately describes the high-energy feel of the music as this band, with its fiery two-horn frontline and slinky guitar, perform original funky grooves with an authority and style that is hard to beat. With 9 albums already to their name, tonight the band will be featuring music from their latest effort, “The Time Thief” which builds upon their patented sonic brand but raises the ante, referencing influences from old-school New Orleans blues to scale patterns reminiscent of Weather Report and enriched further by an intriguing mix of effects and filters, conjuring up memories of retro sounds from the 1960’s & 70’s. It’s a heady brew indeed and, as with their previous recordings, wonderfully showcases the raw energy and funk-driven bass riffs with which the band are now synonymous. Their shows, which always include a regular Guest Vocalist, will tonight feature the wonderful Helena-May (Afro Cluster). The band is highly entertaining, with tremendous musicianship applied to some amazing music. A guaranteed great night out!
“The Governor of Bass” BBC Radio2; “…a near perfect slice of jazz-funk bass from one of Europe’s great players.” Bass Guitar Magazine; “four-minutes of pedal-to-the-floor doo-wop funk…topped off by a sultry vocal turn from Miss May which elevates the track to another level of sophisticated sass” AfterDark