I would be remiss not to include a mention here about this wonderfully comprehensive, yet up-to-date article about Clyde Stubblefield that recently ran in the Isthmus.

“Cue Up The Funk”
By Susan Kepecs in the July 13th, 2007 edition of the Isthmus

Just a quick note on a few corrections and omissions, Joe Wickham is the guitarist for the Clyde Stubblefield Band (his name was left out in the article–but that doesn’t make him any less of an amazing guitarist!!) and my name is “Bryan Husk,” not “Briah Husk.” Oh well, it’s really about The Man and The Music. Be sure to check us out every Monday night at the King Club!

Yesterday was the busiest Funky Monday at the King Club in years. I’m not sure how to attribute the turn-out, but it could be a multiple convergence of forces, including a possible conference nearby, good weather and summertime fun-seeking.

One source of increased attendance certainly goes to JG and Funky Dee and their continued support of the Clyde Stubblefield Band on their super funky 91.7 WSUM radio show on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon. “Marathon funk dancer” and DJ, JG, actually apologized on air this morning for having to leave early last night (no worries–she was worth leaving early for!).

Who else was there? My friends and neighbors, Annie and Leo, were there with good time friends. We also saw the Parks sisters out in full force with husband Al and neighbor friend, Kathy. It was great to see all of you gettin’ down and having fun! And on a Monday night–cRaZy! Thanks for making it out, and I’m glad you all had a great time!!

What a treat to see Carolynn Black and her husband Tom one more time on stage before their baby is born. And a big shout out to Carolynn and Tom’s mothers who were in attendance (presumably more for the impending birth than the Monday show) all the way from New York City. Now have that baby and get back real soon! Best wishes, and we’ll miss you until your return!

And there were many other regular friends, too. Michael Feldman, Frazier, guitar hero Ben, singing Melissa, ever-classy dancer Skip, and many more. Thanks for making last night one of the busiest Monday nights we’ve ever seen. See you next week!

Sekou Sundiata, the brilliant Harlem-born spoken word poet, passed away this week at the age of 58 from heart failure. He endured many physical challenges later in his life, including a long, slow recovery from a broken neck during a snowstorm car accident on his way to the Apollo theater for his comeback performance after finally recovering from a kidney transplant the year before. Talk about challenges to the body, the mind and one’s spirit!

But he fought on and stayed productive, hopeful and alive with creativity until his physical self finally failed him. His poetry is deep and powerful. And the way he performed his works as spoken word were hypnotizing with their richness, depth and rhythmic cadence.

Listen to Sekou Sundiata perform his poem “The Sound of the Memory” at salon.com.

And learn more about him at sites like www.aalbc.com, which writes,

“Before there was Run-D.M.C., before Grandmaster Flash, before Afrika Bambaataa, rap’s true infancy existed with a few black radicals like the Watts Prophets and Gil Scott Heron. For artists such as these, flow, beats, or danceability didn’t matter as much as the message did. They were political poets who were more effective with a musical background. Sekou Sundiata picks up this torch and carries it on, years after rap has gone the way of MTV, dance clubs, and innocuous million sellers.”

Here are the results from a Google search of his name.

God bless, and thank you for bringing us his voice, vision and spirit.

You gotta love Funky D and JG! They consistently kick one of the grooviest funk shows on the radio. And their two-hour show archive is available for download on the web.

A few weeks ago they dropped a shout out to groovology.com. Thanks guys! This sort of cross-promotion is sure to drive traffic to both our sites. Or at least guarantee that three people regularly check each other’s sites for new and exciting referential entertainment!

You guys really do a great job KEEPIN’ THE FUNK ALIVE! And JG gets extra props for “Best Marathon Funk Dancer.” The dude will dance all night long, no stopping. Seriously. All you need now, JG, is a bumper sticker or t-shirt that says “I Brake For Prince.” Check out the recent archives (worth a second link) if you want to understand the Prince reference…

People ask me all the time, “Bryan, when you’re not touring the country supporting your latest chart-topping album, what do you do with your time off?”

The answer is simple: kiteboarding!

Kiteboarding this year in Madison has been terrific. Mother Nature has been generous by providing more wind than usual during a time of year noted more for it’s stifling humidity and stillness, rather than steady 15-20 mph inland winds. Last weekend was no exception. We were at Olbrich Park and had the good fortune of Matt Lamb taking photos on shore with his Canon SLR and killer zoom (thanks Matt!). Below are a few photos from that day…

These two MC jockeys have got to be two of the finest DJ’s at UW-Madison’s student radio station, WSUM.

What student radio stations sometimes lack in consistency, they often make up for with moments of brilliance, and Funky Dee and JG’s two-hour Funk Explosion is near the pinnacle of greatness in my opinion. They consistently spin great music. Just check out their archive–it’s a treasure of fun. And they do a nice job goofing off and entertaining the listening crowd, but rarely overdoing it. You can always count on a heavy horn-laden tune with a strong groove to follow…

Alas, Funky Dee has graduated and is heading to Chicago for greener pastures. Everyone from the Clyde Stubblefield Band and the Funky Monday King Club scene wishes her all the best. Don’t stop playing that funky music, white girl! And to JG…keep the torch lit and the music playing. It’s your job, now, to KEEP THE FUNK ALIVE!