The Filtered Excellence: January 30, 2021
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you this week’s picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more.
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A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism by th1rt3en. After dropping a number of singles to coincide with the election, th1rt3en – featuring lyricist extraordinaire Pharoahe Monch, blazing young guitarist Marcus Machado and the insanely incredible Daru Jones on drums – have released their eagerly awaited debut album. Fusing the heavy doom of Black Sabbath, the social consciousness of Black Star, with spiritualism of Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders (albeit with much darker undertones), Monch and his band of rhythm killers unleash a sonic assault of songs addressing mass consumerism, police brutality, gun violence, and murder. By pairing these artists with their extensive musical palettes, their marriage of rock and hip hop is nothing short of seamless and brilliant. It’s a shame that the pandemic will limit touring opportunities, because this band begs to be heard live. What’s even scarier is that they are just beginning to tap into their possibilities. It’s a lights out debut that’s already a contender for one of the year’s best. A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism by th1rt3en is available now through Amazon, Apple Music and all major streaming outlets.
Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals by Marvin Gaye. In 1971, Marvin Gaye was on top of the world. His album, What’s Goin’ On was a critical and commercial hit, and is credited with putting R&B/soul firmly into the album format. But rather than tour behind the project, Gaye spent time into the studio, playing keyboards and directing a killer band that included guitarists Ray Parker, Jr, Wah Wah Watson and Leroy Emmanuel; the late Hamilton Bohannon on drums and Michael Henderson on bass. While some of the results would wind up on various reissues, it hasn’t, until now, seen a full album release. It captures Gaye at a creative peak, running through songs that would foreshadow his work on the soundtrack to Trouble Man and a denser side of funk that would dominate the decade. What’s more astonishing is how, Parker, Watson and Henderson – who were 17, 20 and 21 years old at the time – blended in effortlessly with their older, more experienced colleagues. With tracks that are funky, trippy, dark and cinematic, it adds another layer to the Gaye legacy. Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals by Marvin Gaye is available now through Amazon, Apple Music and all major streaming services.
From Macca To Mecca by Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul. During their 2017 sold out European tour, Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul played a surprise lunchtime set of Beatles covers at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. The performances from that show forms the basis of this new live CD/DVD set. It includes their versions of such classics as ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’, ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, ‘Birthday’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’. They also blast through classic R&B songs that The Fab Four performed frequently at the club: Larry Williams’ ‘Slow Down’; ‘Solider Of Love’ by Arthur Alexander; and The Shirelles’ ‘Boys’. As an added bonus, there’s a version of ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, recorded at the Roundhouse in London, with a special guest Paul McCartney. On top of being a world class producer, guitarist and songwriter, Little Steven is first and foremost a fan, and his reverence for The Beatles and 60s R&B shines throughout the set. Mixing the Merseybeat with the Jersey Shore, it’s the ultimate salute to Liverpool’s greatest export. From Macca To Mecca by Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul is available now through www.littlesteven.com.
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Your Hometown Virtual Conversation With Darryl McDaniels. As one-half of Run-DMC, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels helped bring hip hop into the mainstream by combining urban realities with an old school rock attitude. As part of the new Museum Of The City Of New York podcast series, Your Hometown, McDaniels will have a Zoom conversation with historian Kevin Burke to discuss what it was like to grow up in Queens, New York during the 1960s and 70s, and how it factored into the birth of hip hop. DMC is a great storyteller, so expect a wildly entertaining look back at a New York teetering on the edge. Your Hometown Virtual Conversation With Darryl McDaniels With Kevin Burke In Conversation with Daryl McDaniels Of Run DMC will take place Tuesday, February 2nd at 7pm. Go to www.mcny.org to register.
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NEW YORK CITY: The Outsider Art Fair. Now in its 29th year, The Outsider Art Fair showcases self-taught and outsider art from all parts of the globe. For the first time ever, the New York edition will feature 7 curated exhibitions across 5 Manhattan venues. The most anticipated exhibit will take place at Electric Lady Studios as artist and cartoonist Gary Panter will curate Psychedelic Drawings by the late and sadly missed Daniel Johnston. COVID-restrictions will be strictly enforced. Always a great way to catch artists who have defied traditional conventions. The Outsider Art Fair runs through February 7th. You can go to www.outsiderartfair.com for all info.
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