>>February
      6, 2001

      
Funkalicious grooves hit the Palouse

      
By Bruce Mann
      Argonaut Staff

      
The leaves are gone. The sky
      is a pale, empty gray. The ground has been covered with a cold,
      icy blanket for what seems like an eternity. 

      


      Winter has come and left a lingering hunger in the collective
      stomachs of the Palouse, a hunger for something spirited. Something
      fresh. Something funky.

      


      That hunger is about to be satisfied with a double scoop of funkalicious
      grooves covered with jazzy Afro-Cuban rhythms and topped with
      an overgenerous helping of grassroots jams.

      


      Say adios to the winter doldrums Wednesday night and be prepared
      for a jumpin' funk-filled night at John's Alley with co-headliners
      The Motet and Deep Banana Blackout. 

      


      The Boulder, Colo., sextet The Motet holds up the first half
      of the bill with an organic blend of East Coast jazz and New
      Orleans funk, steeped in African, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
      

      


      The Motet, founded by drummer Dave Watts, lays down smooth, danceable
      grooves that stay true to the roots of Marvin, James, and Bootsy
      while exploring the boundaries of world beats and rhythms.

      


      One listening of The Motet's new album "Play" will
      get your head nodding and feet moving. The band has an uncanny
      ability to capture the essence of funk with the low-driving backbone
      of the bass guitar and mix of dirty flying grooves of the organ
      and wah-wahed out guitar. 

      


      The coat of Latin and African-laced rhythms is what really sets
      the Motet apart from other funk-based outfits and creates a sound
      that is more pleasing to the soul.

      


      Rounding out the double bill is Deep Banana Blackout, a seven-piece
      collective that is more addictive than black tar. Deep Banana
      Blackout is notorious for its infectious live shows that leave
      crowds tired, wet and ready for more. 

      


      Hailing from New York and Connecticut, the grassroots band plays
      its version of jazz, funk and soul to over 200 crowds each year.

      


      A Deep Banana Blackout show is an experience no music fan should
      ever miss. 

      


      All seven band members play together as if they share one head,
      one heart and one soul. 

      


      Besides having the high-spirited, funk- dripping atmosphere of
      a Disco Stu party, a Deep Banana Blackout show is a lesson in
      musical craftsmanship and interplay between horns, guitar, bass,
      rhythm, keyboard and lyrics. 

      


      This is live music at its finest and should not be passed up
      for any reason.

      


      Pull out the superfly hat, boogie shoes, fist pick and throw
      off those winter blahs for a night of funktastic dance inducing
      grooves Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at John's Alley with The Motet
      and Deep Banana Blackout. 

      


      The show is for those 21 and over, and there is a $10 cover charge.
      
 

      
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