LUCKY BROWN & THE S.G.'s: LABOR DAY WEEKEND RUN

Lucky Brown & Cecil Moses & The S.G.'s present:
LUCKY BROWN & THE S.G.'s: LABOR DAY WEEKEND RUN

The mysterious Cecil Moses & The S.G.'s (Oliver Klomp - drums, Colin Higgins - guitar, Bob Heinemann - bass, and Marc Hager - keys) unite with deep funk pioneer Lucky Brown to interpret Lucky's original "Mesquite Suite" live, a collection of spiritual folk/jazz modal melodics fused with earthy and arcane rhythmics composed in the summer of 2015 in an ashram in the Texas Hill Country.

The S.G.s will feature their own brand of great quartet instrumental soul ala Booker T. & The M.G.'s and The Meters, then Lucky Brown, along with Jason Cressey - trombone, will proceed to transport all listeners into an sonic trance inspired as much by Mulatu Astatke as it is James Brown.

Thursday, Sep. 1 - "CONCERTS ON THE DOCK"
Pope Marine Park Plaza, Port Townsend 5 - 7:30PM

Friday, Sep. 2 - CELLAR DOOR, Port Townsend, 9PM

Saturday, Sep. 3 - w/ TRIO SUBTONIC, SEAMONSTER LOUNGE, Wallingford, 9PM

Sunday, Sep. 4 - PARLIAMENT TAVERN, West Seattle, 9PM

WESTSOUND REUNION 2016

Short Statement:

Seattle, WA. Wednesday, May 11th, 2016, Nectar Lounge - The Westsound Reunion is an annual event held on or near the second weekend of May to assemble and celebrate the work and works of members of the Westsound Recording Cooperative, also known as The Westsound Union.

This collective of musicians perform and improvise over original, rudimentary and minimalist works conceived by Lucky Brown, the soulfunk alterego of Joel Ricci, itinerant composer, trumpet player, and metaphysicist. These 'tunes' are offered as vehicles for the various individual interpretations by the artists of the union, while simultaneously presenting in performance a reflection of a functioning and flourishing collective ecstatic ceremony/ritual.

Longer Statement:

Seattle, WA. Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 - Lucky Brown & The Westsound Union, a collective of funk, soul, rhythm & blues, and jazz musicians from the greater West Seattle area are descending upon their fifth annual Westsound Reunion at Fremont's Nectar Lounge. The Westsound Union is the group of musicians whose members work in various dance band and roots rhythm projects around Seattle including but not limited to Polyrhythmics, The Funk Revolution, Rippin' Chicken, The Unsinkable Heavies, Cecil Moses & The S.G.'s, and The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra. http://westsound.bandcamp.com

More specifically, The Westsound Union is a culture creator that attracts a musician who uses their talents to explore, seek, grow, push limits, experiment and above all continue the search for a new groove, a new tone, and a new feeling.

Since 2007, their label, Westsound Recording Cooperative, has been licensing original music to Tramp Records, a boutique European deepfunk tastemaker specializing in vinyl re-issues of little-known global soul, funk, jazz and R&B artists. This summer, the collective will launch "I Believe in Love," a new and exciting collaboration with Polyrhythmics.

Lucky Brown has been called "Deep Funk Pioneer" by many a maven in Europe, a title that can be applied to all the members of The Westsound Union. Folks who come out to this show can be assured that the particular combinations of people, sounds, rhythms, moods, and moves may have never happened before, and will never happen again - until maybe next year's Westsound Reunion!

It is Lucky Brown's intention to entertain, demonstrate, and humbly explore the funk idiom handed down from artist to artist in an unbroken lineage that has it's source with the revolutionary innovations of James Brown among others. The Westsound Union also draws inspiration from (while paying homage to) such luminous artists as Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astake and their respective disciples, who, among many others, gave birth, breath and breadth to this powerful form.

The Westsound Union strives to faithfully continue the conversation and evoke the participation of a gathering of like and different minded individuals who also hunger for authenticity, integrity, truth, and freedom of self expression through music, speech and body movement.

Statement about the participants:

Unsinkable Heavies: Reunion staples, the Heavies will be returning to offer their particular brand of musical alchemy at this year's Westsound Reunion! Come join members of Polyrhythmics as they weave you a web of sonic silk and dazzle you with their licks!DJ Dave McRaw: Eminent drummer for soul phenoms The True Loves, Dr. David McGraw selects an all 45rpm vinyl freestyle set from the cream of his collection for your pleasure.

Lucky Brown & His Band: Lucky will assemble the group that has been doing a steady 'Last Wednesday' residency at the Seamonster Lounge in Wallingford for the past five months, and then conduct the band (and the audience) as they plumb the depths of rhythm, vibe, mode, mood, groove, spirit and soul collectively.

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio: A unique 60's & 70's true-school vintage soul trio with the delicious sonority of the hammond B3 mixed with lilting guitar lines, chopping rhythm, & old school style pocket drumming. This combo is gently tearing up the town and can be described in one word: Taste.

The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra: Will present for the first time since last year on stage current and new members of the Westsound Union performing simultaneously all brand new compositions written by Lucky Brown while living just outside of Austin, Texas last summer.

2/24/16 - WESTSOUND DEEP FUNK CLUB III - SEAMONSTER LOUNGE

Wednesday, February 24th 8PM

Sea Monster Lounge

2202 N45TH ST,

Seattle, Washington 98103

www.seamonsterlounge.com

SELECTOR LUCKY BROWN 8PM

WESTSOUND UNION 10PM

WSDFC is a monthly "Last Wednesday" residency at The SeaMonster Lounge in Wallingford, regarded by Seattle musicians as THE venue for listening and performing.

The Westsound Union are a collective of musicians who perform and improvise over original, rudimentary and minimalist works conceived by Lucky Brown, the soulfunk alter ego of Joel Ricci, itinerant composer, trumpet player, and metaphysicist. These 'tunes' are offered as vehicles for the various individual interpretations by the artists of the Westsound Union, while simultaneously presenting a reflection of a functioning and flourishing collective ecstatic ceremony/ritual.

It is the intention of the founders of the Westsound Deep Funk Club to entertain, demonstrate, and humbly explore the funk idiom handed down from artist to artist in an unbroken lineage that has it's source with the revolutionary innovations of James Brown. The Westsound Union also draws inspiration from (while paying homage to) such luminous artists as Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astake and their respective followers, who, among many others, gave birth, breath and breadth to this powerful form.

We strive to faithfully continue the conversation and evoke the participation of a gathering of like and different minded individuals who also hunger for authenticity, truth, and freedom of self expression through music, speech and body movement.

WESTSOUND REUNION 2015

FRIDAY, MAY 8th, NECTAR LOUNGE, SEATTLE 

www.nectarlounge.com

Nectar & The Westsound Union Present:

The WESTSOUND REUNION 2015 

"Seattle's Sensational SoulFunk Festival of Deep Expectation!"

Featuring The Original International ArtFunk Supergroup of Mystery: 

LUCKY BROWN & THE WESTSOUND UNION -"now with more drums"

with The Premier Afro-Psycho-Beat Octagon Itself: POLYRHYTHMICS

and Trueschool SoulJazz Boogaloo Rhythm Sectioneers: UNSINKABLE HEAVIES

a.k.a. The Trophybucks & The Horseradish 3 (among others): THE MYSTERY 3

plus Seattle's Realest Raw Soul Royalty: GRACE LOVE & THE TRUE LOVES

also 45RPM Deejays FUNKSCRIBE & DAVE McRAW in the breaks!

So Many Friends! So Many Bands! So Much Vinyl! 

This is a DANCE, CONCERT, PARTY, FESTIVAL, and SHOW 

that only happens ONCE A YEAR so Please 

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! $10 advance/$15 at the door

Brand New Raw Funk 45s Box Sets, & LPs for sale in limited quantities!

Seattle, WA. May 8th, 2015 - Lucky Brown & Friends, a posse of Funk, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Afrobeat musicians from the Seattle area are descending upon their fourth annual Westsound Reunion at Fremont's Nectar Lounge. The Westsound Union is an umbrella name given to the group of musicians whose members work in various groove-oriented projects around seattle including The Polyrhythmics, Rippin' Chicken, The Unsinkable Heavies, The Bucks, and The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra. More specifically, The Westsound Union attracts a musician who wants to straddle genre lines while exploring, seeking, growing, pushing limits, experimenting and above all continuing the search for a new groove, a new tone, and a new feeling.

Through his label Westsound Recording Company, Lucky Brown has been licensing original music to Tramp Records, a boutique European deep funk label specializing in vinyl re-issues of little-known soul, funk, jazz and rhythm and blues giants, since 2007. At the May 8th show, we will announce the release of 'Mystery Road' a two-LP set AND a seven-piece 45RPM box set that features superlative musicians from the Westsound Union. These records will only be available for purchase in the United States during this festival at Nectar Lounge.

Lucky Brown has been called a 'Deep Funk Pioneer" by many a maven in Europe, a title that can be applied to all the members of The Westsound Union. Folks who come out to this show can be assured that the combinations of people, sounds, rhythms, moods, and moves have never happened before, and will never happen again - until maybe next year's Westsound Reunion.

Here is a little about each participating group:
Grace Love & The True Loves: Grace possesses a completely captivating vocal experience that is all her own. Her band, the True Loves, has a soul and funk sound altogether unique to the Pacific Northwest. The True Loves provide a kickin' back beat, smart horns, melodic, syncopated guitar and bass, and sweet Hammond B-3 color. It's the hip swinging, booty shaking, heart freeing, soul healing sound you crave to hear live.

The Mystery 3: The many-named Mystery 3 are Seattle drum veteran Ollie Klomp, Cornish graduate Jason Gray on bass, and illustrious guitar boss Ben Bloom. They have been working with Lucky Brown in various projects live and on tape for almost 10 years now. Tonight they will be performing selections from Lucky's deep catalog of vocal and instrumental classics.

Unsinkable Heavies: Unsinkable Heavies will be returning to perform their brand of funked-up musical alchemy at this year's Westsound Reunion! Come join members of Polyrhythmics as they weave you a web of sonic silk and dazzle you with their licks.

Polyrhythmics: Original hard-driving, modern afro-beat and syncopated, horn-driven funk. Catch the Octagon hot off their return from New Orleans with an inimitable live show and great new vinyl 45s and LPs! Sing along with Lucky Brown as he sings his hits with them!

Lucky Brown & The Westsound Union: Lucky will assemble as many members of the Westsound Union on the Nectar stage as he can fit, and then conduct the orchestra and the audience as they plumb the funky depths of rhythm, vibe, mode, mood, groove, spirit and soul collectively.

MYSTERY ROAD - Out worldwide on Tramp Records, January 26th, 2015

So much classic music is sweet and raw, while so much music from today sounds boring, overproduced and drained of life-force, why is this? Possibly because most music in the popular arena is made on computers, written by songwriting firms for a 'personality' to mime on stage and in studio, and created with the intention of making a profit. Young musicians influenced by the glitz and glamour of the mass market literally 'play' right into the corporations' hands - gleefully mimicking the poses, the sentiments, and reinforcing the antisocial values of the plutocracy. Lucky Brown believes that beauty is not contained in the sound of the music but lives in the hearts of the musicians. Therefore, music made by people who love music and want to build a better world sounds different from music produced by corporations.

Until the advent of the industrial revolution, popular music was produced by regular people - the populace, get it? Songs were written, played and recorded by people in a neighborhood. Music had meaning and purpose. The music was handed down from the elders in the same way as cooking, seeds, stories, building techniques, and values were; with each generation subtly manipulating the form to fit the needs of their communities and place in time. Lucky Brown is concerned about the wholesale destruction and loss of this rich cultural heritage. To put a price tag on everything and then force feed it into the waste machine degrades both the consumer and the producer. Beautiful songs do exist. You can write one yourself or find one tucked away in a dusty bin of 45s, but until we unlock the secrets of this classic music, our sonic landscape will likely be blighted by the mass homogeneity heard everywhere.

When you hear american funk, soul, r&b, jazz, blues, and rock n' roll from the late 60s and early 70s you may be hit with emotions of pleasure, joy and awe. How can the people of today produce music with such energy, urgency and soul? Certainly not by copying, and certainly not by sequestering this music away in a museum. Record diggers know in their heart that true beauty is a rarity, and therefore worth preserving and protecting, why else would rare seven-inch pieces of vinyl fetch so much money at auction? Lucky Brown takes it one step further and through his music, points to artists who's soul and fire is a gift dedicated to all people. Lucky Brown's work with deep funk is the result of his group's quest, a specific example of exploration in this field - not intended as a copy, but hopefully as encouragement to other musicians of like mind to continue the search.

Lucky Brown and his friends play music together on a carpet in the living room. They record to a portable tape machine situated in or near a kitchen because most of this music was recorded after a shared meal. Much of this album is the record of the musicians playing or creating the song for the first time together - listening to and communicating with each other. Searching for a beautiful feeling that has not yet been invented. As his thirst for authenticity remains unquenched, Lucky Brown's journey transcends limitations of time, space, subject or object.

This music is just dust brushed from a buried treasure box we discovered in our hearts.

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LUCKY BROWN'S WESTSOUND REUNION 2014 - OLYMPIA/SEATTLE/BELLINGHAM

Lucky Brown returns to the Pacific Northwest this spring for his annual multi-day, multi-city, multi-venue birthday party known as The Westsound Reunion! The Westsound Reunion is an opportunity for all the members of Lucky Brown's Pacific Northwest Deep Funk Community to come together and have a good old-fashioned festival, dance party, concert and show. The Westsound Reunion is also an opportunity for the different groups to share their new 45s and other recordings.  Expect rhythmic exploration, harmonic surprises and deep dark heavy danceable grooves - as well as favorite original Lucky Brown compositions. The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra will present for the first time since last year on stage all current members of the Westsound Union performing at the same time.

This year, the seven-day event will begin Wednesday, May 7th in Seattle at the Feedback Lounge and travel to Rhythm and Rye in Olympia on Thursday, May 8th, Nectar Lounge on Friday, May 9th, Fairhaven Pub on Saturday, May 10th to The Watershed Pub and Kitchen on Sunday, May 11th, round out with some  jamming at the Musiquarium in Seattle and finishing with "The Westsound Wind-Down" at Seamonster Club in Wallingford on Tuesday evening just before McTuff plays on May 13th. You know it's not a party unless each and every one of you come down and make it a party! 

Here is information about some of the different groups: 

The Funk Revolution - Delvon Lamarr, Ben Bloom, Ollie Klomp, Thomas Deakin, Mars Lindgren and Lucky Brown himself.

The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra - an art-funk supergroup fusing members of Polyrhythmics with original members of Lucky Brown's Band. 

Delvon Lamarr, Ben Bloom & Ollie Klomp's true-school funk trio: Rippin' Chicken.

Bloom's soul-jazz unit - representing the rhythm section from Polyrhythmics: Unsinkable Heavies.

West Seattle soulfunk family: The Vexations

Lucky Brown's modal improvised rhythm combo: The Modes

Lucky Brown's songwriter/soul outfit The Bucks.

And fresh from Jazz Fest New Orleans, Seattle's Deep Funk darlings themselves: Polyrhythmics!

LUCKY BROWN'S WESTSOUND REUNION 2014:

Wednesday, May 7th, 8PM
FEEDBACK LOUNGE
6451 California Ave SW, WEST SEATTLE

Thursday, May 8th, 9PM
RHYTHM & RYE 
311 Capitol Way, OLYMPIA

Friday, May 9th, 8PM
NECTAR LOUNGE
412 N 36th St, FREMONT

Saturday, May 10th, 8PM
FAIRHAVEN PUB 
1114 Harris Ave, FAIRHAVEN

Sunday, May 11th, 8PM
WATERSHED PUB & KITCHEN
10104 3rd Ave NE, SEATTLE

Monday, May 12th, 8PM
TRIPLE DOOR MUSIQUARIUM
216 Union Street, SEATTLE

Tuesday, May 13th, 7-10PM
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE
2202 N 45th St.  SEATTLE

Thank you for participating and spreading the word!!
listen and explore here and here

WESTSOUND REUNION 2013

Lucky Brown returns to the Pacific Northwest this spring for his annual multi-day, multi-city, multi-venue birthday party known as The Westsound Reunion! The Westsound Reunion is an opportunity for all the members of Lucky Brown's (aka Joel Ricci's) Pacific Northwest Deep Funk Community to come together and have a good old-fashioned festival, dance party, concert and show.  The Westsound Reunion is also an opportunity for the different groups to share their new 45s and other recordings.  Expect rhythmic exploration, harmonic surprises and deep dark heavy danceable grooves. The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra will present for the first time on stage all current members of the Westsound Union performing at the same time.

This year, the two-day event will be held Friday, May 10th in Seattle at Nectar Lounge & May 11th at Wild Buffalo, Bellingham. 

Both events will feature The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra - an art-funk supergroup fusing members of Polyrhythmics with original members of Lucky Brown's Band. 

Delvon Lamarr, Ben Bloom & Ollie Klomp's true-school funk trio: Rippin' Chicken.

Bloom's soul-jazz unit - representing the rhythm section for Polyrhythmics: Unsinkable Heavies.

And warming it up will be Lucky Brown's songwriter/soul outfit The Bucks.

A special treat for the Seattle show will be DJ Izzy*Wise in the breaks. Isaac Weiser is an original member of Lucky Brown's Funk Revolution, he will be flying in from his home in San Francisco.

And for the Bellinghamsters, a special set by Seattle's Deep Funk Darlings themselves: Polyrhythmics!

here are the details:

THE WESTSOUND REUNION:

FRIDAY, MAY 10th

NECTAR LOUNGE, SEATTLE 

$8/adv $12/dos [tickets]

Doors 8PM

www.nectarlounge.com

SATURDAY, MAY 11th

WILD BUFFALO, BELLINGHAM

$8/adv $10/dos [tickets]

Doors 8PM

www.wildbuffalo.net