Funktothemax, your one stop funk shop

posted by: M on:11/28/2006 4:42:47 PM

WEAPON OF CHOICE THE DVD

Youve waited, and finally, the Official Weapon of Choice 6 hour DVD box set has arrived! 2 Complimentary Bonus Videos included when ordering! Watch the Full Length Trailer here: http://www.weaponofchoice.net/home.html and on myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/1weaponofchoice The DVD, titled: "Weapon of Choice Uncut Nut: 19922006," chronicals Weapon of Choices groundbreaking career of over 14 years in this unparalleled 6 hour DVD video collection! MegaNut (Lonnie Marshall) carries the band through years of unprecedented shows, music videos, collaborations, and music, bringing Nutmeg Music to the forefront of brilliant musical creativity, originality, and excitement! "Uncut Nut: 19922006" is packed with full length live show experiences, exclusive music videos, rare footage, interviews, TV show appearances, candid moments on tour, bootlegs, and more...showcasing the band from their roots to the present. This double disc box set also features special live performances with George Clinton, Les Claypool, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), Norwood Fisher (Fishbone), Victor Wooten, and more... Follow this link (or copy paste it to a new window) to watch the Full Length Video Trailer for the DVD to get your preview: http://www.weaponofchoice.net/home.html You can also view the trailers on our myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/1weaponofchoice And... as a Complimentary Bonus to You! Order immediately, and you will instantly receive 2 Bonus Videos emailed directly to you for your endless viewing pleasure: Video 1 is live footage of Weapon of Choice members performing on the Grammy Awards Show with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton, and PFunk. Video 2 is live footage of Weapon of Choice members performing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno with Snoop Dogg! Visit the link below to order immediately and go directly to the shopping cart: http://www.decorateredecorate.com/catalog.html?VCS=2a60058a873b9c93ea5fab7ac8c1e1ecVl=30Tp=2 Glo on, get your nut! Visit the Official Website of Weapon of Choice: www.weaponofchoice.net

posted by: M on:11/28/2006 4:41:46 PM

P.THEORY UPDATE

Here is your update from PTheory, First of all, Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all our American friends, we hope y’all had a good one! Things have remained really busy for us this month as we continue the process of mixing our new album “Chocolate Sock” and we are basically on lockdown in the studio. The good news is that things are moving ahead at a rate of knots and the album is sounding really strong already. We expect to have finished the mixing process ready for an end of February release. In other news, the preview viewings of “PTheory – The Movie” have been extremely well received and the full length feature film has created a whole new surge of interest as people are finally getting to see Plainfield (the home of the funk) in all its glory and some of the legendary figures that still live there, in their home environment. Another extremely popular part of the film is the Liverpool Arts Festival gig with PTheory, Jesse Rae, Doug Wimbish and Skip MacDonald. You can see a preview for the film here. PTheory – The Movie ships exclusively, free with all purchases of our first album “From The Hood To The Wood” from our chosen partner thefunkstore.com and from any purchases of the album from our own online shop. In other news you can listen and download to the ALL FM radio interview with Caroline Rennie, Alex and Kevin Goins here that happened the day after Kevin arrived for the Chocolate Sock recording sessions at the end of October. The interview is a lot of fun and captures some of the giant craziness, love and banter that always happens when Kevin and Alex get together. Peace Love PTheory

posted by: m on:11/22/2006 8:53:36 AM

Extras wanted for Collins video

Extras wanted for Collins video Cincinnatibased funk musician Bootsy Collins is looking for extras for a music video for his new single, "BeWithYou," from his new album, "Christmas is 4 Ever." Collins is looking for men and women of all sizes and ethnic backgrounds who are at least 21 years old. Extras should dress to impress. The shoot will take place 610 p.m. Tuesday at the 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. The shoot will pay tribute to the late Roger Troutman. Troutmans band, Zapp, which continues to tour, will perform the song along with Collins. Other band members include members of two Daytonbased funk acts: Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner of the Ohio Players and Keith Cheatham of Sun.

posted by: M on:11/22/2006 8:47:01 AM

PTHEORY UPDATE

Here is your update from PTheory Like fried ice cream....PTheory The Movie is finally a reality! In preparation for the release of our new album "Chocolate Sock" and in conjunction with our partner The Funkstore , we have finally got round to preparing a full length feature film of PTheorys journey since we hooked up with our newest band member, the legendary Kevin Goins . The film (presented in full Dobly Digital) documents the life of a band coming up on both sides of the Atlantic and the steps that were taken to get there. The movie is shipped with all purchases of "From the Hood to The Wood" from our site and from the Funkstore , and are strictly in limited edition as we are down to the last 100 copies of "From the Hood To The Wood" across the globe. After that no more will be produced. If you ever needed anymore incentive to buy the album, we have even reduced the price to £8 . In other news, we have been locked away in the studio mixing "Chocolate Sock" but to give you a flavour of whats coming you can see exclusive videos of Kevin calling the Holy Ghost into the room as he records backing vocals for the album here . If there are any of you that still believe that George Clinton raped the last of the God given vocal talents from the Goins family when he recruited Glenn to call in the mothership....get ready to open wide and swallow a huge cup of FK YOU TOO. The proof is in the pudding, watch the video and get ready for the release of 16 tracks of THE funkiest original gospel ever to drop with Chocolate Sock. Until next time, get ready for the bomb to drop! PTheory

posted by: m on:11/16/2006 4:34:15 PM

Leon Hendrix, is readying his first domestically available album

The younger brother of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, Leon Hendrix, is readying his first domestically available album, which will be released early next year. The Gotham Metro Company will be releasing the yettobetitled set, and is also behind a movie about Jimis life. The disc follows Leons 2005 debut, "Keeper of the Flame," which is available through his Web site. Until a dream he experienced a few years ago, Leon had not received a calling to pursue music himself. "One night, there was a guitar sitting in the corner of the room that [had] been sitting there for 15 months. In my mind, it seemed vibrating it was calling me. This vision came to me. Jimi said, Hey, youve got music in your blood and its in your veins. You need to start doing it. Before, I didnt dare touch a guitar, because who could play guitar after Jimi? Im not trying to be Jimi I have my own style. Im not a maestro, Im just a minstrel." Producer Greg Hampton also cowrote songs with Leon and adds additional guitar. Among the tracks on the disc are "Last Mistake" ("a funky rock thing reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Lenny Kravitz," says Hampton), "Little South of Crazy" (cowritten with Danny Tate) and the midtempo ballad "Blue September." "That came about because Jimi died on Sept. 18, 1970, and Seattle in September is kind of grey and blue," Leon says. "Most of my songs are about Jimi hes the most shining star in my life." A demo of the song can be sampled on Hendrixs MySpace site. Also included are covers of "Hey Joe" and "All Along the Watchtower," as well as contributions from singer Glenn Hughes (exDeep Purple) and bassist Ricky Phillips (Styx). As for the oftdiscussed film about Jimis life, Hampton (who is also working on music for the movie) says the script is in its third rewrite, and actorstobe are still going through readings. "As far as musically, there will be true renditions with modern elements intermixed within the overall structure of Jimis music," he says. "There will be covers by various artists, as well as some scoring variables musically throughout the film that are fairly reminiscent of Jimis style with various contemporary guitar players reproducing that particular approach."

posted by: M on:11/16/2006 4:30:26 PM

musical tribute for Gerald Levert

The family of RB vocalist Gerald Levert has arranged a public musical tribute for the late singer, who died last week at the age of 40. The Celebration of Life will take place at 12:00 p.m. Friday (Nov. 17) at the Cleveland Music Hall. Stevie Wonder, Johnny Gill and Angie Stone are among the artists set to perform, as well as Geralds younger brother Sean, who sung with him as a member of the RB trio LeVert. Fans attending the ceremony will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. Donations in Leverts name can be made to the RB Foundation. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that mild to moderate heart disease may have been the cause of the singers death but a final determination may not be available up to eight weeks. At the time of his death, Levert had finished an asyetuntitled album, due in February, and wrapped his first book, "I Got Your Back," which he cowrote with his father Eddie Levert, Sr., and author Lyah LeFlore. The book finds Gerald and Eddie reminiscing about their familial and musical bond.

posted by: m on:8/21/2006 11:25:33 AM

George Clinton undeterred by court ruling

It’s back to the Michigan Court of Appeals, funk music pioneer George Clinton said Friday after sitting through a hearing in Lenawee County Circuit Court he hoped would put him on the road to recovering his farm home in Cambridge Township. Instead of getting a trial date, Clinton lost another round in his court battle with Armen Boladian, the Detroit music executive who helped launch his career in the 1960s and 1970s with the groups Parliament and Funkadelic. Judge Timothy P. Pickard repeated a ruling he made in 2004 that both parties waited too long to raise contradictory legal claims over the farm on Knapp Highway where Clinton lived with his family from 1980 through 1996. Boladian won an eviction suit that year and filed claims That Clinton owed him more than $1 million in back rent. Clinton claimed that Boladian cheated him out of the farm that they agreed would be purchased with royalties from Clinton’s music. Pickard dismissed the case in 2004, ruling both sides waited too long to enforce their rights under agreements they claimed were made in 1985. The Michigan Court of Appeals sent the case back to Pickard in January to explore several issues in more detail. “This case is fraught with problems because the case is so old and so stale,” Pickard said Friday. There is such a complex business relationship between Clinton and Boladian, apparently involving oral agreements on entertainment projects, music royalties and the farm property, that neither party is able to prove its claims, he said. “There is no proof there was a meeting of the minds which is what you need for a contract,” Pickard said. The ruling will be appealed again, Clinton said. A trial is needed to fairly settle the dispute, he said. “We’re going to fight until we get it heard,” Clinton said. “We’re not going to stop until we get a hearing in the court.” Dressed in white and wearing his hair in the multicolored braids he is known for, Clinton drew greetings from fans who recognized him as he entered the Lenawee County judicial building. His attorney Stephen Hard flew in from Utah for Friday’s hearing. Clinton said the Lenawee County court is only a short drive from his Devils Lake home. He has remained in the area with his family since the 1996 eviction case, he said. Hard argued Friday the eviction should never have been ordered in district court. The case should have been shifted to circuit court as soon as Clinton filed a defense claim that he, and not Boladian, was the actual owner of the farm on Knapp Highway. Clinton fell behind on the land contract payments after his popularity faded and he filed for bankruptcy in 1984. Boladian, the head of Bridgeport Music, stepped in and signed several new land contract agreements with the property owners in 1985 and 1986. Boladian completed an outright purchase by 1990 and had the property deeded in his name. Boladian attorney Richard Busch of Nashville, Tenn., argued that Clinton should have made his claim of an oral agreement involving the property ownership at the time it was deeded in Boladian’s name. Busch also cited a May 1990 memo from Clinton attorney Andy Munro regarding Clinton’s failure to show up for a meeting with Boladian to discuss how Clinton’s farm debts would be paid. The memo conflicts with Clinton’s claim of an oral agreement that music royalty revenue would be used to pay off the property, Busch said. “If that were the case, there would be no reason for a meeting to discuss how much Clinton owed Armen and how it would be paid.” Hard disputed the meaning of the memo. Munro has said in a written statement there were numerous meetings and telephone conferences in which Boladian would bring up expenses related to the farm to negotiate other aspects of their business dealings. Hard said the May 1990 meeting Clinton did not attend was requested by Clinton because he wanted a detailed accounting of the farm expenses and music royalty income. Clinton’s song catalog was becoming more valuable in the 1990s as rap groups began using the material, Hard said. The statute of limitations for Clinton’s breech of contract claim has not run out, Hard said. He argued the breech did not occur when Boladian put his name on the deed but when he failed to transfer the property after collecting the agreed price of $525,000 from music royalties. That amount was not reached until sometime after 1997 when Boladian gave an accounting of $514,533 in earnings. The very fact that Boladian bought the farm where Clinton was living is evidence of the oral agreement Clinton has been claiming since the 1996 eviction suit was started, said Hard. Boladian had never even inspected the property, he said. Pickard ruled that the arguments Hard made are not evidence of a legitimate oral agreement that has not lapsed for lack of enforcement action. Boladian’s claim for more than $1 million in back rent has also fallen due to the lapse in time, he said. “The court will again dismiss the claims of both parties,” he said.

posted by: M on:8/21/2006 11:18:57 AM

Earth, Wind Fires Verdine White Debuts Hip Hop Group

Slapbak. Rap, Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock and New Releases. Slapbak is the brazenly categorydefying love child of singer/songwriter Jara Harris, who also happens to play drums, bass, guitar and keyboards extremely well. He’s a Mission Viejo native who has painstakingly nurtured his rainbowshaded band through the sunniest of times to the pitchblack bleakest. This racially and sexually mixed sextet of funkrockin’ showstoppers has morphed through several permutations of membership to arrive in 2006 with both the master plan and the master band. The result is Slapbaks latest album, The Key: 16 tracks of cranium crushing grooves twisted up from the best that soul, metal, hip hop and the elusive "other" have to offer. Slapbak is lead singer/bassist Jara Harris, rapper/vocalist TJ Quake, colead singer Aleida, guitarist Jeff "JRok" Harris, drummer M.A.T.T. and turntablist DJ Ruffnek. Jamming in a circle with all members facing each other, they push each other to dizzying heights of intensity. Leader Jara rocks the center, concealed by a cap as he effortlessly sings and serves his bass a serious thumpin’. As an impenetrable cipher, Slapbak hammers out a funk fortified force field that’ll knock the uninitiated to its knees! Speaking after hours from Slapbaks 2nd floor recording/rehearsal studio (a nondescript Santa Ana office space by day), Jara explains, "This band is the key to Slapbak eruptin up from the underground to a whole `nother level. Were a powerful unit able to unlock the essence from several styles at once. Thats why we call this CD The Key." But is the world ready? Jara insists it is. "Rawness especially in hip hop is whats happening now. And alternative rock has been flexing an extra funky pocket. So the industry is meeting Slapbak half way and its about time." Oldschool ears will perk up like a pit bulls when they hear The Key’s first single: a funky flip of `70s soul legends WARs iconic classic "Lowrider." Ironically, Earth Wind Fire bassist Verdine White a huge Slapbak fan was the one who suggested they try it. "I couldnt stop giving him the evil eye at first," Jara admits. “But one day while I was in my car, I got the idea to slow it down. I cut a quick demo and when Quake heard it, he was with it. Aleida added a ‘Cruisin’ down the streets / Checkin’ out the freaks’ hook and Ruffnek threw some tables on it. When we played it for Verdine and our manager Scott, they were beside themselves!" Slapbak also closes The Key with a cover of Sly The Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” a jam that has been in their show set list since day one. Slapbak has another surprise in store on the rousing and sexy anthem "California Girls (Dipped in Chocolate)," featuring a guest appearance by new friend and brotherinfunk, Shock G of Digital Underground. The band had encountered "Digital" many times on the road, beginning in 1997 at the Belly Up club in San Diego . Seven years later, Shock G emailed Jara out of the blue and an alliance was formed. The first recorded documentation of this union is on "California Girls." "Shock recorded his vocal in the bathroom," Quake states, "and his rap was off the chain! Even the people in Shocks crew said theyve never heard him flow quite like this." D.U.’s Shock G, Money B and Eli grace another song on The Key, too, titled “We Ain’t Playin’ Wid It.” Slapbak is standing on the verge of the hardearned blow up theyve been tripdippin towards for over a decade. And it couldnt be happenin’ to a tighter, settowreck Band of Gypsies.

posted by: m on:8/21/2006 11:16:39 AM

www.whomag.net

New on www.whomag.net...Lloyd Banks, Wonder Mike from Sugarhill gang, stic.man from dead prez, Santalina, Ariel, and much more! Make sure to check out www.whomag.net for the latest hottest interviews... WONDER MIKE...As 1/3 of the original classic group Sugarhill Gang, Wonder Mike has brought us classics like Rappers Delight, Apache, and 8th Wonder. Check out this exclusive as he runs down the situation with Sugarhill Records, The Furious Five, and the history of hiphop! LLOYD BANKS.After smashing the charts with singles like "On Fire", this GUnit soldier talks about Eminem, 50 Cent, and his new album "Rotten Apple". STIC.MAN from DEAD PREZ.This politically charged emcee has plenty of new material out now including his STARZ special "Bigger Than HipHop". This is a dope read for any true Dead Prez fan! SANTALINA.After being documented by MSN SPRITE for the past few weeks on her meeting with Chris Lightly, Santalina has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with. Check out this exclusive interview with the beautiful RB singer talking about all the recent controversy, her appearance on MSN.COM for a week and her new documentary on www.exposure.msn.com. ARIEL BORUJOW.After working at Puffys "Daddys House for a few years, Ariel is now one of the most sought after engineers/producers in the game. Check out this exclusive as he takes time off his 24/7 grind and break down the music game! UPCOMING EVENTS!!!! BANG! 3 IN A ROW! First this THURSDAY (8/3) at REEF in Philadelphia we have the RB singer SHOSHYNs release party popping off w/ some of the top names in the music industry swinging through. For all those who have been asking me how to get down in the next DVD, THIS IS HOW! WE WILL BE FILMING THIS EVENT! And best part is its only $5 reduced admission (email me at whomag@whomag.net for reduced), $10 at the door. REEF is located at 605 3rd Street in Philadelphia, PA by the corner of 3rd South St. This event WILL sell out so make sure to come early. $5 mojitos, $5 Caribbean punch, great Caribbean food specials! Shoshyn will perform live at midnight. Visit him on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/shoshyn. This FRIDAY.LETOYA LUCKETT official album release concert after party at TSOP (Tropicana, 3rd Level) in Atlantic City, NJ (2801 Pacific Avenue). This will be a star studded event including a special award assembly for MARY J.BLIGE. For reduced admission or VIP passes, contact celebbookings@aim.com or call 856.264.2060. Make sure to mention you heard it from WHO?MAG DVD Magazine!!!

posted by: m on:8/21/2006 11:14:57 AM

Wax Poetics Issue 18, August/September 2006

ParliamentFunkadelic can hardly be summed up in a few sentences. Wax Poetics digs deep to trace the sprawling history of this supergroup, from its doowop roots to its freakedout, drugladen rock sessions, and finally onto the bestknown (and bestselling) period of space boogie. Purchase at: Turntable Lab, Dusty Groove, Fat Beats Featured Articles: Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas, and Fuzzy Haskins of the Parliaments "With Funkadelic, we were the same five singers, but instead of being smooth and silky like the Parliaments, we came with the hard acidrock guitars." —Calvin Simon Bernie Worrell "Sometimes we was just vamping for days and days. It would get a little tiring, but people loved it cause there was so much to look at. Thats when George was stripping, and crazy hairdos and acid: Funkadelic." Bootsy Collins "With Bootsys Rubber Band, I tried to attract a younger audience than Funkadelic had. I would take words like "funk" and expressions like "I got the munchies for your love" and challenge kids to use their imaginations."

posted by: m on:8/21/2006 11:13:53 AM

Here is your update from PTheory

Here is your update from PTheory As explained in our last note to you, there have been some major development in the PTheory camp. Firstly, in between our ridiculous recording schedule at the moment, we have somehow managed to perform a total update on our website. The highlights and links are shown below: Facia upgrade on all pages across the site Updated News Section New section for Interviews including an available download of the recent radio special from Joe Kelleys Upper Room show on WVOF (More coming soon including the recent interview for allfm) Updated jukebox including a full preview of "A Promise is Not To Be Broken" from the forthcoming live album "Whats Our Name?" Updated Forum including request form for the forthcoming Gospel album More photos added from the UK Tour, Plainfield, Rob Manzoli Su Brooks, and the recent meeting with George Clinton PFunk New videos added here including more live footage from the recent tour As explained in the news section, we are currently in the process of recording 3 albums simultaneously so as you can probably imagine, we are completely flat out. We are delighted with the new material so far and the recordings are sounding fantastic. The live album "Whats Our Name?" will be available in early october and we are on schedule to release the second album "Chocolate Sock" and the new gospel album by February. We will be announcing a short European tour for October in the next few weeks that will piggy back onto a few dates around the NY area. So please take the time to have a good luck round the new site and thanks again for all your support. One Love PTheory

posted by: M on:8/21/2006 11:12:57 AM

FUNKBAND OCTAVEPUSSY (OPY) FINALLY GOT THEMSELVES SOME MYSPACE

IT TOOK A WHILE..but FUNKBAND OCTAVEPUSSY (OPY) FINALLY GOT THEMSELVES SOME MYSPACE JOIN US AT www.myspace.com/octavepussymusic Listen to "PassWord Love Funk", "Walk The Stalkin Walk" and "My Profession" with guests like Steve Boyd, PooPooMan, Robert Pnut Johnson and the lovely Kim Manning of the P FUNK ALL STARS And dont forget to visit our website www.octavepussy.com

posted by: M on:8/21/2006 11:11:54 AM

Zaterdag 26 Augustus Oldskool at da Beach part VII

Zaterdag 26 Augustus Oldskool at da Beach part VII On the wheels of steel Soul, Funk, Disco, Electro, Hiphop Swingbeat. We gaan muzikaal terug in de tijd naar discotheken als BOC, Flora Palace, Bebop, Bios en naar radiopiraten als Decibel, Counterpoint, Satelite Action, Waps en Sjuul. Wil je weer even terug in de tijd ? Kom dan naar de Oldskoolbeach..... DJs: Rinie, Burley Rico VDJ Willes (Mr. Oldskoolclip) Lokatie: Beachcafé Blijburg Tijd: 21.00 03.00 Entree en Parkeren: Gratis Route en/of meer informatie www.grooveinc.nl of www.blijburg.nl p.s. bij slecht weer gaan we naar binnen

posted by: M on:8/21/2006 11:11:13 AM

"THE ULTIMATE LUTHER VANDROSS" IN STORES AUGUST 22ND

"The Ultimate Luther Vandross" hits stores on August 22nd and weve got all the details for you! Be sure to check out the newly revamped Luther Vandross website at www.luthervandross.com for all the latest news, updates, and more. "THE ULTIMATE LUTHER VANDROSS" IN STORES AUGUST 22ND On August 22nd, J, Epic and Legacy Records will join together to celebrate the extraordinary life and career of Luther Vandross through the release of " The Ultimate Luther Vandross." "The Ultimate Luther Vandross" features all of Luthers most beloved hit singles including "Dance With My Father," "Here And Now" and "Endless Love," Luthers unforgettable duet with Mariah Carey. The album also features classic hits like "A House Is Not A Home," "Wait For Love" and "Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me" as well as other favorites including "Buy Me A Rose" and "Think About You." This album is Luthers first career spanning collection, featuring 18 tracks from all of his previous releases, along with two previously unreleased cuts. Be sure to pick up your copy, in stores August 22nd..

posted by: m on:8/7/2006 12:19:06 AM

MORE BOOTSY XMAS NEWS

Snoop Dogg, Buckethead and Charlie Daniels are among the varied guests contributing to funk legend Bootsy Collins first holiday album, "Christmas Is 4Ever." Due Oct. 31 via Shout! Factory, the album includes four Collins originals plus nine takes on such seasonal favorites as "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and Donny Hathaways "This Christmas." Snoop raps on "Happy Holidaze," while Daniels plays fiddle and sings on "Sleigh Ride." The latter cut also features Ohio Players vocalist Sugarfoot. Elsewhere, Buckethead and the late Roger Troutman contribute holiday greetings, while funk veterans Fred Wesley, MC Danny Ray, Bobby Byrd, Bernie Worrell and Blackbyrd McKnight drop by to enliven the proceedings. Here is the track list for "Christmas Is 4Ever": "NYo City" "Merry Christmas Baby" "Jingle Belz" (aka "Jingle Bells") "Happy Holidaze" "Chestnutz" (aka "The Christmas Song") "Winter Funkyland" (aka Winter Wonderland") "Santas Coming" (aka "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town") "Bootoff" (aka "Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer") "Silent Night" "Sleigh Ride" "Dischristmiss" (aka "This Christmas") "BeWithYou" "Christmas Is 4Ever"

posted by: M. on:8/7/2006 12:17:12 AM

Bootsy is going CHRISTMAS

Hot on the heels of country star Wynonna Judds Christmas album announcement Tuesday, funk legend Bootsy Collins is planning a festive collection of tunes. The colorful guitarist will be joined by rapper Snoop Dogg, fiddler Charlie Daniels and fellow funk stars like Fred Wesley and Bobby Byrd on his first holiday album Christmas Is 4Ever. The album will feature four Bootsy originals plus renditions of Christmas classics like "The Christmas Song" and "This Christmas

posted by: M on:8/7/2006 12:15:22 AM

Next week, New Funk Items in the Fttm Shop

New Funk items will coming to our FunkShop next week.....Pusherman 1 2, Funk Grooves, Club Grooves plus a new George Clinton Capitol compilation album as well......more details next week

posted by: M on:5/21/2006 5:32:58 PM

FUNK TO THE MAX releases are finally coming through

Keep an eye on the new FTTM Releases, Parliament and Bootsy Rubber Bands albums soon to be out on the streets.

posted by: M on:5/21/2006 5:31:48 PM

GEORGE CLINTON CD COMPILATION

A new George Clinton cd compilation will be released on Disky Records April 25th. The cd contains a compilation of Georges Capitol periode.

posted by: M on:5/21/2006 5:30:23 PM

P.THEORY ON UK TOUR

Here is your update from PTheory. We are pleased to confirm the short UK Promotional Tour in June to support our latest release From the Hood To The Wood. The dates are as follows: Wed June 7th Liverpool Venue TBC Thursday June 8th The Cross Mosseley Birmingham Friday June 9th The Subscription Room Stroud Gloucestershire Saturday June 10th Telfords Warehouse Chester Sunday June 11th BBC TV Special London Kevin Goins will be in full effect, flying in from the States just for these dates and we will be doing a series of radion interviews along the way. See you all in June PTheory

posted by: M on:4/18/2006 10:17:49 PM

P.THEORY WEEKLY UPDATE

Here is your weekly update from PTheory This week has been crazy but in a good way. The new album, "From the Hood to The Wood" is continuing to sell at a level that was far beyond our original expectations but we have managed to catch up with the shipping backlog over the week so all orders are now shipping same day. Most of our distributors have now received the product so the album will be available in the next two weeks on Amazon, Tower Records, iTunes, CDBaby, Thefunkstore and many more within the next two weeks and should be in shops around Europe within the next 6 weeks. Once again thank you all so much for your support, Kevin Goins wants to sned you all this brief message: "Thank you all for your support and the wonderful, kind words and reviews you have sent us, it is greatly appreciated.....we told ya we were coming, you didnt think we were playing at this did ya? This circle will never be broken, spread the word! One Love Kev" In other news, we have also updated our myspace site and have uploaded lots of videos on YouTUbe. Just search for PTheory and youll find us up there. The UK contingent has laso hooked up with Rob Manzoli of Right Said Fred fame and are working on putting our live feel on some of the dozens of tracks he has written and recorded with various funk legends over the years.....more news on that next time. Until then, thanks again and stay funky PTheory

posted by: M on:4/18/2006 10:16:16 PM

WEAPON OF CHOICE ON TOUR IN EUROPE AND MORE NUTTMEG NEWS.

Get Ready!!! The Europe Tour 2006 has arrived! Dont miss Weapon of Choice live on this 10 date tour in France! Bring all the kids folks...this is going to be a brannutritiously delicious nutmeg platter! Weapon of Choice will be headlining the tour, with special opening guest, Dr. Madd Vibe, featuring Angelo Moore (frontman for Fishbone) and his new band... The last show will be with the much loved Sharon Jones and the Dapp Kings! Here are the dates: April 18 Nantes(44) " Olympic " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 20 Rennes(35) " UBU " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 21 Orléans(45) " Astrolabe " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 22 Beauvais(60) " Louvre boite " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 24 Montpellier(34) "le Rockstore" (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 25 Bordeaux(33) " Krakatoa " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 26 Lyon(69) " Ninkasi Kao " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 27 Ris Orangis(91) " Le Plan " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 28 Sannois(95) " EMB " (+Dr Madd Vibe) April 29 Paris (75) " Elysee Montmartre "(+Sharon Jones) Come funk with us all around France! _______________________________________________________________ Official Weapon of Choice DVD!!! Yes folks...the rumors are true...the Live DVD is finished! The editing is wrapped up, and it is being sent to the printers the beginning of May! Look for the official release date the end of May, early June. And watch out for the DVD release party to be held in Los Angeles. The double disc DVD set contains over 5 raw hours of live shows, music videos, rare film features, never before seen footage, candid shots, never recorded music, improvisational performances, and much much more...including an underground performance clip of Weapon of Choice and George Clinton. No NutmegPotty Head should be without this 2 disc DVD set! _______________________________________________________________ MYSPACE INVASION!!! Weapon of Choice has invaded Myspace! Follow the link and add us to your friends and family, get on the message boards....and dont forget to spread the word! www.myspace.com/1weaponofchoice _______________________________________________________________ JUST RELEASED!!! MarshalLaw: Another XCuse Youve waitied almost 20 years for this!... and finally it is here!!! Marshall Law, the band that gave way to the creation of Weapon of Choice, has finally released their first record, recorded back in 1988!!! The record, titled "Another XCuse" was the collaborative effort of Lonnie Meganut Marshall (creator of Weapon of Choice), his brother Arik Marshall (former guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and currently with Macy Gray) and drummer James Gray (formerly of Spearhead). As the original band that started it all, you will hear the original recordings of songs like "Upitty Yupitty Doolittle," "Black Riot," Fight Your Fight," and many many more... to hear cuts off the record and to grab your own copy, follow the link below: http://www.weaponofchoice.net/about.htm or visit the Official Weapon of Choice store here: http://www.decorateredecorate.com/catalog.html?VCS=41856108fcbeb6d7a61a92d11ffc3700Vl=30Tp=2 and as always, check out the official Weapon of Choice website at: www.weaponofchoice.net Just a little history folks...Marshall Law was formed in 1988 by Meganut, his brother Arik, and James, where they recorded a demo of a collection of songs. One of the songs, "Upitty Yupitty Doolittle," was turned into a music video, which has never been released. Stone Gossard from Pearl Jam saw the video, and signed the band, under the new name Weapon of Choice, featuring Meganut, Keefus, Mark Cross, Fish, Finn, Tombone, and others!... _______________________________________________________________ NEW!!! Arik Marshall (former guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and currently with Macy Gray and brother of Lonnie Meganut Marshall) has just unleashed his solo record titled, "Arik and Em: Pleasures of the Funky," on the web. You can get your copy TODAY at the Oficial Weapon of Choice store! Follow the link below to hear cuts from the record and to grab your copy while they last: http://www.weaponofchoice.net/about.htm _______________________________________________________________________ SALE!!! Everything at the official Weapon of Choice Shopping Cart, including the entire CD catalog and the new Weapon of Choice full color autographed poster, is 40% off the regular price. Hurry and visit the cart to get all your nutmeg needs! Dont forget, all of Weapon of Choices catalogue can now be purchased direct from the band. And now, all CDs are 40% off. Go to www.weaponofchoice.net and follow the link to the shopping cart. You can also purchase Meganuts new solo release record, just released in June, 2005, and only available on our site. Also, keep checking the site, and the Shopping Cart for new additions like stickers, tshirts, and rings and necklaces made by Meganut himself. www.weaponofchoice.net or follow the direct link to our shopping cart at: http://www.decorateredecorate.com/catalog.html Peace, and Nutmeg Phantasys, Weapon of Choice Administration P.S. We shall notify you in advance of when the DVD shall become available, and shall offer you a special advanced purchase opportunity for being on the Official Weapon of Choice Mailing List! Visit the Official Website of Weapon of Choice here: http://www.weaponofchoice.net

posted by: m on:4/1/2006 11:48:20 PM

EDDIE HAZEL UNRELEASED ALBUM

Eddie Hazels Unreleased Music Available for Purchase!!!!!!! Hello friends at myspace.com. Thank you for your patience while waiting for the unreleased and performances by my late husband, Eddie Hazel. This CD is unlike any other you have heard before with him singing and playing. The songs on the CD were all done at home years ago. So please excuse any scratchy sounds, etc. that you might hear while listening. You may purchase this collectors item by sending me your money order or cashiers check in the amount of $35.00, make payable to Brenda Hazel. Guaranteed shipping within 35 days after receipt of your order money. Your CD will be mailed to you "priority mail" confirmation of delivery. Please remember this is a limited edition "only"; so get your copy now. For those fans and friends who truly loved Eddie, you will definitely enjoy the rare at home CD with his family members! Thank you and I do hope that you will mail your money orders and/or cashiers checks to me at: Brenda Hazel P.O. Box 58636 St. Louis, MO 63158 If you have any questions, kindly send me an email at my personal email address which is b.hazel@sbcglobal.net or you can send a message right here at Eddies site. http://myspace.com/eddiehazel

posted by: M on:4/1/2006 11:46:04 PM

NEWS FROM P.THEORY

Hey Funk Fans, Its been a while since we last updated you on PTheorys activities, suffice to say we aint been resting on our laurels and have kept real busy in the interim. The most significant news is that the much hyped album "From The Hood To The Wood" featuring the legendary Kevin Goins will finally ship on Wednesday next week. The release date slipped a month due to a problem with the artwork that was caused by the manufacturers but we are please to announce that these have all been resolved. The album contains 18 tracks of original music and dialogue and runs for 69 minutes non stop. All the music was played live with all the musicians in the same room at the same time without a single overdub and captures the rootsy and organic vibe that has been missing from music for so long. Pre orders have meant that the first pressing has nearly sold out in advance which is great news and THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!! We will produce another run of 1,000 CDs and then seek financial backing and look to license the album to another label who has more money than we do as we are now officially broke. So if the master plan comes together you will have purchased a first pressing direct from the band. We are so confident in what we have achieved, if any lovers of the real funk are in any doubt about the strength of this album and the rebirth of Kevin Goins, then we are prepared to offer a full money back guarantee if you dont like it no questions asked. Thats right, if you dont like the album for whatever reason, simply return it to us and we will refund your money all you gotta do is try it we know youll like it! This is because we need your support, we have never been a band that takes and doesnt give things back to our supporters. So whilst it may appear like financial suicide to send out an album, let someone copy it and then send it back for a full refund, we believe that you will support what we have done and the spirit in which it was achieved not to rip us off in that way. You can hear four full length previews from the album on our myspace site here and can view home footage on how it was done here. You can check the photos from the recording session here.....we aint playing, youd better believe it!! So help us spread the word, we have risked our very livelihoods in producing this work and need all the help we can get to push it over the hump. One Love PTheory

posted by: M on:2/27/2006 3:49:42 PM

THE REVENGE OF THE PUSHERMAN 3CD

The revenge of the Pusherman is the second in the so called "Pusherman" series. Again a 3 cd box with more than 50 grooves. Among them....Eddy Senay, Eddie Fisher, Moments, Creative Source, Curtis Mayfield, Sandpebbles, Freda payne, Willie Bobo and Soul searchhers too name just a few. The release will be scheduled for late April.

posted by: M on:2/27/2006 3:46:24 PM

New Temptations album. Reflections

After 40 years at Motown – interrupted only by a short stint at Atlantic Records in the late 70s – the Temptations have left the label for its newly formed Universal sister company, New Door Records. So it is ironic that the group’s first release on New Door is Reflections, a fifteen song collection of covers of some of Motown’s greatest songs. Motown fans remember that during the label’s heyday, albums of top artists surrounded hits with “filler” covers of other Motown hits, often with the same backing tracks. So the idea of Reflections is a pretty natural one, though somewhat risky. It’s one thing to throw in some covers as filler; it is another to base a whole album on them – though no doubt Michael McDonald’s recent success set the stage for this effort. But the biggest risk with covering Motown hits is that they are legendary for their impeccable production and performances – so you’d better be clever and provide something new and different to the mix. In that respect, Reflections is half a success. The Temptations themselves sound uniformly wonderful throughout the disc. Lead singer G.C. Cameron reminds us that he is one of the most underrated soul singers of his generation, and the vocal performances of Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Otis are strong. No, the dividing line here comes from the album’s two producers (hot young producer Steve “The Scotsman” Harvey (Donnie, Frank McComb) and the legendary Benjamin Wright) and their different visions of what Reflections should be. Surprisingly it is the veteran Wright who unfortunately goes inorganic, largely foregoing a band in favor of electronics and programmed instruments. The gamble doesn’t work, as the lack of real instruments gives the songs a mechanical, cheap feel. It also drains much of the warmth from the fine vocal performances, especially destroying Ron Tyson’s version of “Ooh Baby Baby”. It is the relative youngster Harvey who saves the day, using tight band (including full horn section) and warm arrangements to bring something new to each of the eight songs on which he works. The choice of three Supremes covers, “Reflections,” “I Hear a Symphony” and the album’s closer, “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” is inspired, and hearing these classics from a male perspective gives them new life. And Harvey smartly subdues the arrangements and puts the vocals out front on the wonderful cover of Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of a Broken Hearted.” But best of all is the leadoff cut, “Can I Get A Witness,” a terrific, full Gospel reworking of the Marvin Gaye classic that takes the lyrics at their face value and allows Cameron the chance to preach, growl and preside over his soulful congregation. It’s always great to hear the Temptations and the uniformly highquality vocal performances they provide, well in their fifth decade of recording. And even at its worst, Reflections is listenable because of those performances. But when Steve Harvey’s at the helm, the album really shines and brings something fresh and very enjoyable to a classic catalog. CR

posted by: M. on:2/27/2006 3:43:31 PM

Funk To The Max will strike back soo.

Some personal problems and some new bizz made us decide to step back for a while. We are preparing the new releases and setting up a new store on E.Bay. So time to grab your funky sneakers again because we are back in town.

posted by: M on:11/29/2005 10:16:44 PM

Mudbone Cooper has his own website up

Gary"Mudbone"Cooper has his own website. Here you can find all the latest news about Muddys album "Fresh Mud", listen to samples of this fantastic album or watch the super videos. Funk To The Max says.....one of the best albums we have heard for years. "The Devil made me mad" song is a superkiller track with a lot of hitpotention as well.

posted by: M on:11/29/2005 10:10:29 PM

P Theory is back from da Hood

PTheory got home safely. The first thing we would like to do is thank all of Plainfield especially the Goins family for opening their hearts and their homes to us and to truly welcome us with open arms. We had the time of our lives and made dozens of new friends and jammed with some truly great players. The first video from the album "shes the owner of her property" is available online here. There are dozens of photos from the trip here. The album is due to be pressed within the next few weeks and a prerelease will be avaibale to buy from the online store on our website soon. Keepchecking back to the site often as the updats will be coming thick and fast over the next few weeks. You said you wanted the old school funk....here it comes. One Love PTheory

posted by: M on:11/29/2005 10:09:27 PM

Wilbur Harris tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Hazel

Blue for Jimi and Eddie. http://www.myspace.com/Horusra

posted by: M on:11/29/2005 10:08:05 PM

News from Michael Clip Payne

Our new website is coming up soon: http://wefunk.com/Cacophonic%202.htm

posted by: m on:12/10/2005 8:16:20 PM

SLAPBAK DVD Back in stock

Order your own SuperFunk copy at www.funktothemaxrecords.com

posted by: M on:12/10/2005 8:15:05 PM

News from P.Theory

Here is your weekly update from the PTheory camp keep checking the website for interesting updates. Last time I wrote to you, I asked you to help us get 1,000 new members who love funk to sign up to our mailing list. In return Kevin would record the last 3 songs he and Glenn wrote together. What can I say other than THANK YOU! I only asked for your help a week ago and since then you have not only achieved our target you have blown it out of the water. Within the last week we have had 1463 new members sign up to our mailing list and counting. WOW!! So its time to spill the beans on these tunes. The songs are absolutely incredible and they have never been recorded before. One is called "I Love What You Are Doing To Me" and is about coming up with a girl. The second one is called "Saturday Night" and was written during a snow storm. The last one is a spiritual song called "Can you Feel It". Kevin has played them on acoustic guitar for us whilst singing them and they are enough to move you to tears. If you have never heard Kevin singing gospel then you are in for a real treat. His voice is astonishing and so spiritual it defies belief. That is why he is the first to be called up at funerals in Plainfield. He sang at both Eddies and Ray Davies funerals and we had the honour of hearing him warm up for us down the phone before his cousins funeral last week. When we heard that it was a life changing experience, we were lost for words. He can bring down the house at any event when he hits his gospel stride. It is truly outstanding and everyone in Plainfield knows it, youve heard Glenn call in the mothership so you can probably have some idea as to what it sounds like. You may not hear to much from us for a while as the studio is finally rebuilt so we are busy mixing and rehearsing before we head to Plainfield, the home of the funk, next month. There are some interesting updates on the site, we have just added a new section called Fan of the Month where we will profile some key players who continue to offer us love. Also we have found another track from the recording sessions called "Message of Love" that we have added to the preview of the new album here. So thanks for all your help. For all the industry contacts our eteam have given to us.....check the website, something very exciting is about to happen. One Love PTheory

posted by: m on:10/10/2005 9:02:01 PM

KIRK WHALUM PERFORMS BABYFACE SONGBOOK

Combine the matchless artistry of Kirk Whalum with the timeless melodies of pop/urban/RB icon Babyface and you have a double serving of soul and sensitivity. Kirk Whalum performs The Babyface Songbook is instrumental music at its pure, understated and consummately performed best. From the unadorned simplicity of the album’s first note, Kirk Whalum delivers an invitation to intimate communion and passionate interplay. Far more than a collection of covers, Kirk Whalum performs The Babyface Songbook is an expansion and exploration of the soulful insight and melodic interpretation that has become a hallmark of Whalum’s career. On his Rendezvous Entertainment debut he takes romance higher and deeper, revealing a greater transparency and vulnerability. Kirk Whalum and Babyface Edmonds share much in common. They are the same age and both are adept at performing, composing and producing. They both consistently top the charts in their respective areas of endeavor and both are known for their romantic acumen and ability to capture the heart of a song and captivate those who listen. Associated with the premier names in pop, rb and urban, it was destined that the arc of their careers and artistry would one day intersect. Although unquestionably Babyface cuts a wider swath when it comes to name recognition, there are probably very few people who haven’t been lifted by the brilliant and plaintive sax solo offered by Whalum in Whitney Houston’s rendition of "I Will Always Love You," a single from The Bodyguard soundtrack (which also featured a Babyface composition). Countless listeners have been lifted, soothed, and energized by his soulful sax playing, pushing his album sales to over a million, a rare phenomenon in the jazz world.

posted by: m on:10/10/2005 8:56:35 PM

Herbie Hancocks New album

Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel and YoYo Ma are among the artists whose busy schedules kept them from appearing on Herbie Hancocks aptly titled new album, "Possibilities," but the legendary jazz pianist isnt complaining. Eager to explore new vistas, he has teamed with an array of young talents – including Joss Stone, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Raul Midon and Damien Rice – and such longestablished stars as Annie Lennox, Sting, Paul Simon and Carlos Santana. Other guests include exPhish guitarist Trey Anastasio, bluesrock upstart Jonny Lang and singers Angelique Kidjo and Lisa Hannigan. Hancock now joins Earth, Wind Fire as the latest veteran artist hoping to attract a new audience via duets with hot young pop acts and more seasoned headliners. The trend isnt new. Frank Sinatras 1993 album, "Duets," teamed him with Bono, Anita Baker and others, while Quincy Jones 1989 album, "Back on the Block," won six Grammy Awards and featured everyone from IceT to Dizzy Gillespie. But the duets concept has taken on greater impetus as the result of two more recent albums: Carlos Santanas "Supernatural," which won nine Grammy Awards in 2000 and has sold over 25 million copies; and Ray Charles posthumously released "Genius Loves Company," which this year won eight Grammy Awards and was Charles bestselling album in years. Hancock cites Santanas "Supernatural" as a thematic model he followed in making "Possibilities." And, like Charles "Genius Loves Company," Hancocks album was released via the Starbucksowned Hear Music. It is available at many of the coffee chains 9,200 worldwide locations, and his deal with Starbucks allows him to retain ownership of the albums master tapes. What makes "Possibilities" different is that Hancock is the first major jazz artist to attempt such a project. And while some purists will bristle at the mere idea of this former Miles Davis Quintet pianist and esteemed solo star duetting with the likes of Stone and Lang, what results is a thoroughly satisfying album of sophisticated pop, blues and funk, with jazzy overtones. "I realize these are major stars on my album," Hancock said recently. "And I know that doing a record like this could possibly give me exposure to their audiences, and that they would also have exposure to my fan base. "But for this particular record, what I was really looking to do was to open up the possibilities for the various artists to deliver dimensions that their fan base isnt accustomed to hearing, something that goes beyond what they normally do. On every tune, each artist delivered more than what would normally fit into the pigeonhole theyre normally placed in. Every track was a surprise for me, and Id say every track will be a surprise to their fans." A lesser artist hyping a lesser album could be expected to make such pronouncements, however hollow they might ring. But "Possibilities" finds Hancocks guests rising to new heights. Witness Aguileras wonderfully fresh version of Elton Johns "A Song for You," Stone and Langs sultry rendering of U2s "When Love Comes to Town," and the poignant version of Billie Holidays "Dont Explain" by Rice and Hannigan. Hancock also clicks with Santana, Lennox and Sting, who recently said of this eclectic keyboardist: "Herbie has been an iconic figure in my personal pantheon for many, many years. . . . While the core of his work has always been jazz, his openness to new ideas, technological as well as musical, has bestowed on him an ageless and natural hipness that sits well with his playful genius." Hancock was also hailed by Rice, who likens working with him to "being taken up Mount Everest by a master climber, watching someone go places you wouldnt normally go." In turn, "Possibilities" is taking Hancock places he doesnt normally go, despite his commercially successful forays into funk in the 1970s and hiphop and World Music in the 1980s. For example, "Stitched Up," his playful duet with Mayer, has earned airplay on San Diegos KPRIFM. The stations pop, rock and blues playlist, while admirably broad, has rarely included bona fide jazz artists or a song featuring an extended acoustic piano solo. "Ive never done something this big before, with this potential," Hancock said of his album. "Starbucks represents an innovative company that has done well in the music industry, even though its a fairly new concept for them to release albums," he added of the company, which last month exclusively released Bob Dylans "Live at the Gaslight 1962" album. "They service and appeal to people of all ages. And my feeling is that, in a lot of cases, people who are older than their mid30s dont really get properly serviced or focused on as consumers who actually can afford to buy and support certain products. They kind of get overlooked because of the attention given to people who are between 18 and 25. Starbucks isnt like that. They service everybody."