Have A Funky Good Time with Brother Strut!

Bonjour!

Brother Strut are an up and coming funk and soul band, formed in 2012, we're talking real musicians, real instruments, real music!  The members have collectively performed on records that have sold over half-a-billion copies.  Not only has this line-up played on numerous hit singles and albums, they’ve also worked for the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Elton John, Sting, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Al Green, Level 42 and Amy Winehouse ... the list goes on!  Find out more about Brother Strut right here!

If, like me, you're a lover of  'proper' music and like to 'get your groove on' every now and again then have a listen to this ...

Good grief how funky?  Brother Strut are performing live in London at the Brooklyn Bowl, O2 on Wednesday 3rd December.  I was invited down to the gig and I can tell you if I lived in or around the London area I'd have been there like a shot!  Sadly it's at the wrong end of the country for me but you can win one of 5 pairs of tickets to attend the gig by entering here.

I'm so envious!  Let me know if you manage to get to see Brother Strut,  I bet it will be an amazing night of pure groovetastic sounds!

Good luck to everyone!

Jen x

Marlena Shaw - California Soul!

Bonjour...

Is it Friday? This week's been all over the place - combination of bank holidays, clocks changing, kids off school, getting up later and feeling worse for it - when I did go into work I didn't know what day it was!  I have next week off with the kids so trying to think of things to keep them busy and stave off the ultimate scraps that will no doubt arise once they get bored ... bless em!

Anyway - last week running up to the Easter weekend my brother Mike aka Gourmet Gorman had a string of gigs with the brilliant Marlena Shaw at Ronnie Scott's in London so here we have ...

Marlena Shaw - California Soul ...

Written by Ashford and Simpson and covered by Marlena in 1969 ... it's one of my favourite tracks ... apologies if you don't like cats but this video contains none other than Garfield himself grooving on down to the music part way through!

Ok - so this tune has such a summertime vibe going on  - warm sunshiney days and sand and sea. It's totally funky - laid back, chilled out but still groovy while it rolls along ... I have this on my IPod to 'cool down' to after a gym session and have to stop myself dancing 'Soul Train' style on the treadmill every time it comes on - I mean what would people think - do I care - one day I'll do it!

Wish I could have gone down to see them at Ronnie's - would have been fab... here's a pic of Marlena and Mike with the band backstage (not forgetting the all-important Mini-Eggs mind!).

Have a groovy weekend everyone! 

Jen x

Favourite Friday Track - Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin

Bonjour!

If you're feeling a bit lethargic this Friday morning PUT THIS ON and TURN IT UP!

Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin

Written and performed by the Queen of Soul, released in 1971 from the album Young, Gifted and Black.  This is one of my all time favourites from Aretha (what a voice) - this video is from the brilliant Soul Train - just look at all the funky moves going on - honestly it's so contagious - it just don't get much better than this!

"It's a funky and low down feelin' "

In my hips from left to right"

One of the grooviest - and I mean grooviest - tracks on the entire planet, I just want to get on up and get on down right now!!

Anyone moving their hips from left to right?

Jen x