Last night Mr. Aukstik and I went out to Joe's Pub to see Chico Mann - the electro-funky brainchild of Marcos Garcia, guitarist of Antibalas. I have always been a fan of Marcos because of his crisp guitar work and his distinct voice on recent Antibalas tunes "War Hero" and "Hilo". We walked into the cool dark acoustically-awesome room of Joe's Pub and our feet started moving right away. Marcos Garcia was behind what looked like an old school keyboard/synth and a few effects pedals lined up, with a microphone there too, of course. He was joined by two other musicians, one behind a computer/mixing board/synth (I think...), supplying the bed effects and parts with uncontrollable style and passion, the other playing bongoes, a cymbal, and a drum pad so deep in the pocket that it was hard to believe he was playing live. They were blasting through infectious grooves that were crafted for the dance floor, for venues like this. The flow was so good - and when Marcos would come out to sing, the music would elevate. The vocal parts and lines were so on point for the music they were making. When the set ended, we wanted more Chico Mann, to say the least. We had just gotten started. I could have listened to those grooves - the high keys lines played by Marcos layered on the Fela Kuti-esque guitar parts layered on the synth melodic bed layered on the crisp bongos layered on the simple drum machine pattern - for hours longer. Long story short, and I think I can speak for Billy when I say this: SEE/LISTEN TO CHICO MANN!!
-miles
ps. go to ChicoMann.com for more.
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