Freekbass & The Bump Assembly celebrate the release of their new album on the national record label Ropeadope Records, CINCINNATI, with a concert at The Southgate House Revival in Newport, KY on Friday, November 27th.
Fresh off a nationwide tour, Cincinnati funk veteran Freekbass plays a rare hometown show. Freekbass shows have gained legendary status over the years for the music, showmanship, and the "you never know who will show up" status. The only place the advance copy of the new Freekbass CD, CINCINNATI, before the official December 11th national release is available for purchase will be at The Southgate House Revival show. Freekbass: "We talked to Ropeadope, and since the album is entitled CINCINNATI, we wanted the area to be able to hear and hold it first! Ropeadope gave us the thumbs up and we're stoked to bring the album to our hometown!"
The new Freekbass album, CINCINNATI, is a culmination of all projects Freekbass has worked on in the last few years. From the funk of his own touring band, The Bump Assembly, to the electrofunk of side project Headtronics with DJ Logic, Steve Molitz, and keyboard genius Bernie Worrell, to the funk schooling from friend and mentor funk legend Bootsy Collins, this album showcases it all.
Freekbass once again teams up with Producer Duane Lundy who produced his last album Everybody's Feelin' Real. Says Freekbass, "With the last album, 'Everybody's,' Duane and I were just starting to know each other. On this album, we have since worked on many projects together and thus have a strong feel and vision where we want the music to go. Plus, I had taken some time off from touring with my own band before starting the last album. With this one, we have been hitting it pretty hard on the road as a band, so we were used to playing together. Plus, we spent a lot of time on writing songs and preproduction before we even got in the studio. With all of the touring leading up to the recording, I feel more confident as a player, singer, and songwriter than I have in a long time."
The title of the album comes from Freek growing up in the rich musical sounds of Cincinnati, OH, home to label King Records, where James Brown recorded many of his hit records, and many other artists, ranging from artists from the Afghan Whigs to Midnight Star. Says Freek about naming the album CINCINNATI, "I'm asked a lot in interviews outside of Cincinnati if I would be playing music if I grew up somewhere else. I am sure I would, but not sure it would be funk. Cincinnati and Ohio have such a strong funk tradition, you heard and felt it no matter what part of the city you grew up in. Since we are not NYC or Los Angeles, I think the funk here had to yell a little louder which is where the Ohio and Cincinnati funk sound came from. Cincinnati is a major part of why I sound like I do, and the reason I am inspired to play music which is why it was an easy choice when it came to naming the album"
As well as Freekbass on bass, vocals, guitar, keys, and a little harmonica, the album includes the other members of Freek's touring band, The Bump Assembly. Big Bamn plays the drums, vocals, percussion, and some additional production work. Dan Barger lends his tenor and baritone saxophone sounds to the album, along with newest Bump Assembly member, Jason Burgard, on tenor saxophone. Vocal powerhouse and former American Idol performer, Elise Testone, adds her vocals to some tracks, and Grammy winning songwriter (Smooth- Santana) Itaal Shur (and another Cincinnati native) co-writes two songs on the album.
Freekbass has already released six full-length CDs, including "Concentrate," with guests Bootsy Collins, DJ Spooky, Adam Deitch, and Steve Molitz, and "Junkyard Waltz," which includes guest appearances by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, guitarist Buckethead, keyboard wizard from P-Funk/Talking Heads Bernie Worrell, and is produced by funk legend Bootsy Collins. In 2014, Freekbass released his first album with a full band in a few years, Everybody's Feelin Real, and as well as numerous videos featuring material from the band and Freekbass' unique take on the world. Everybody's Feelin Real was produced by Duane Lundy (My Morning Jacket's Jim James/Ben Sollee) and includes P-Funk/Rubberband keyboardist Razor Sharp Johnson, horn man Skerik, and Trey Anastasio Band vocalist/trumpet Jennifer Hartswick . Raves Relix magazine, "Freekbass isn't just another funk artist who regurgitates traditions…He's produced a 21st century style over the course of six releases that meshes traditional elements of funk with decidedly more modern soundscapes."
Seven piece funk outfit The Almighty Get Down opens the show for a night of dancing and grooving. This Cincinnati Best Live Act of 2014 winner plays old school, future school, all original funk, soul, and RnB with all the wild abandon of a straight up rock concert.
Friday November 27th
The Southgate House Revival
Doors at 7:30pm, Show at 8:30pm, All Ages
Tickets $12 Adv./$15 DOS
