THE CAPITOL GROOVE – LIVE – A REVIEW OF DAY ONE
By Ralph Beauchamp
The Capitol Groove was held on June 28th thru the 29th once again at Bushnell Park in Hartford. Joe Perusse covered last year’s inaugural event for AMP and marveled on how well it was run. The festival’s sophomore year once again proved the efficiency of the promotor, Goodworks Entertainment. Both days ran smoothly and without any major incident. The weather cooperated for the two day of the festival even though it could have been a few degrees cooler. In addition, the staff was well informed and courteous. The food trucks offered excellent fare (we loved the Broccoli Bar with its amazing Big Sexy Bowl) and the water stations hit the mark.
Not to mention that the artistic line-up was outstanding. Goodworks outdid themselves creating a superb cohesiveness with the artists they booked for The Capitol Groove. Both days, every act complimented each other in style and musical genre. From Too Many Zooz to headliner Khruangbin on Saturday, the feel was cosmic. Soul, jazz, R&B, world music and rock flowed seamlessly every moment. The crowd was ecstatic with the vibes each artist put forth. This was a memorable event both in scope and attitude.
The first band we caught was actually a fill-in. Boston’s Ripe was scheduled to perform but due to a golf cart accident had to miss The Capitol Groove. In their place, Goodworks booked New York subway masters, Too Many Zooz. With their feisty temperament and jazzy accents, Too Many Zooz wowed the audience with their brilliant musicianship. Saxophonist Leo Pellengrino was an consummate showman strutting all over the stage. He definitely held everyone’s attention. Matt Muirhead (Keys/Trumpet) and David Parks (Drums) were also brilliant.
Steel Pulse is the UK’s premier reggae band. Led by David Hinds (Lead Vocals/Guitar), David Ellecirri (Guitar) and Amiak Tafari (Bass), Steel Pulse roared through a set that was groove-laden and rhythmically fun. The entire band cruised through divine renditions of their hit songs such as “Your House”, “Chant A Psalm” and the Lucky Dube cover of “Respect”. Steel Pulse had The Capitol Groove jumping and skanking to their audacious rhythms.
Thee Sacred Souls is a staff favorite here at AMP. The group’s soulful tunes are plainly stellar. Lead singer Josh Lane’s voice carries lush textures and pallets of emotive R&B inflections. His on stage antics are adventurous. At on point in the set, during their song “Running Away”, Lane flew off the stage and sang on the rail delighting their fans. He then proceeded to run to the back of Bushnell Park and sang amongst the audience positioned in the sitting area. All the while, giving high fives and not missing a note. “Can I Call You Rose” was another fan favorite. Thee Sacred Souls were surely one of the highlights of the festival.
Thundercat is the moniker of singer, record producer, songwriter and bassist, Stephen Lee Bruner. Bruner credentials are awe-inspiring. He started as the bassist for the punk/thrash band Suicidal Tendencies. He also was a major contributor to Kendrick Lamar’s acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly. Thundercat’s set was full of jazz nuances with funk and soul overtones. Thundercat killed on his bass, creating spellbinding overtures. Every note was a sonic avalanche. Songs like “Dragonball Durag”, “Walking On the Moon” and “Them Changes” had the throng in mystical nirvana.
Saturday night’s headliner, Khruangbin set the tone from the moment they hit the stage. Their backdrop was dreamlike, creating the impression of a starry Arabian night. Khruangbin is known for their sexy flavorings and exotic musical sensibilities. Their music flows with a beautifully imagined airy presence. Composed of Laura Lee Ochoa (Bass/Vocals), Mark Speer (Guitar/Vocals) and Donald Johnson (Drums), the Texas based Khruangbin filled the air with cadences made of gossamer wings.
Also, both Ochoa and Speer walked around the stage as if they we on magical billowing clouds. The whole set had an enchanted feel. Songs like “Pon Pon”, “White Gloves” and closer “People Everywhere (Still Alive)’ enthralled The Capitol Groove and was a perfect ending to the first night of festivities.
Editor’s note; Day two will go live in the near future.
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