Groove is King Rock Candy Funk Party

• 1 Introducing the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Funkadamus 00:30
• 2 Groove is King 03:27
• 3 Low Tide 02:49
• 4 Uber Station 05:04
• 5 East Village 06:54
• 6 If Six Was Eight 04:44
• 7 Cube's Brick 07:32
• 8 And Now a Word from Our Fine Sponsors With Mr. Funkadamus 00:17
• 9 Don't Be Stingy With the SMPTE 05:15
• 10 C You on the Flip Side 05:07
• 11 Digging in the Dirt 06:20
• 12 Don't Funk With Me 05:55
• 13 The 6 Train to the Bronx 06:10
• 14 Rock Candy 05:27
• 15 Mr. Funkadamus Thanks All the Senors But Especially the Senoritas 00:27
• 16 The Fabulous Tales of Two Bands 05:38
• Total Runtime 01:11:36

Info for Groove is King

Funk and jazz band Rock Candy Funk Party (RCFP) are releasing their sophomore studio album "Groove Is King", an aural kaleidoscope that mashes up funk, rock, dance, electronica, jazz and R&B into 14 original tracks and 2 covers full of space, texture, and virtuoso musicianship.

Powered by a lineup of world-renowned players, the group came together for the sheer fun of making music—and a mutual love of genre-blurring grooves, they are: album producer Tal Bergman (drums), Joe Bonamassa (guitar), Ron DeJesus (guitar), and Mike Merritt (bass).

Groove Is King was recorded at Tal Bergman Studios in Los Angeles, California. Unlike RCFP’s debut album We Want Groove (2013), which tipped its hat to Miles Davis’ classic 1982 live instrumental LP We Want Miles, Groove Is King pulls away from the jazz-funk sounds of the first album into a modern sound, with focused compositions and arrangements and a slick production. “This time around, the concept was less jazz and more modern dance with layered grooves. The rhythm section laid the foundation and then we’d add in strings, synths and an incredible horn section, all while keeping it funky,” says DeJesus.

RCFP grew out of Bergman and DeJesus’ 2007 instrumental album Grooove Vol. 1, and subsequent live dates at L.A.’s storied jazz spot The Baked Potato. They encouraged other musicians to jam with them, including Merritt and Neto, who joined the line-up early on. Bonamassa made his RCFP debut in early 2012 during one of his rare breaks from the road when Bergman—who has toured with the guitarist—invited him to sit in on a pair of gigs.

Ultimately, the defining influence on Groove Is King’s instrumental soundscape is the interplay between RCFP’s members – which serves as a riveting conversation all its own – and the energy in the studio.

"With cool titles like “If Six Was Eight” and “C You on the Flip Side” one can tell this is a throwback to a time where Jazz was the music of love…well, maybe not love, but that thing you do when you’re in love… oh come on… you know what I am talking about here! Get this album then, get with that special someone and get the groove going all night long!" (Jeb Wright, classicrockrevisited.com)

Tal Bergman, drums
Joe Bonamassa, guitar
Ron DeJesus, guitar
Mike Merritt, bass
Guests:
Billy Gibbons, guitar
Randy Brecker, trumpet
James Campagnola, saxophone
Renato Neto, keyboards
Ada Rovatti, saxophone
Daniel Sadownick, percussion
Zia, vocals

Rock Candy Funk Party
delivers a lavish soundscape that incorporates a plethora of genres, from dance and electronica, to rock funk and jazz and everything in between. The band is gearing up to release their brand new Album “The Groove Cubed” this fall following their 2015 sophomore album Groove Is King.

RCFP is a collection of top-notch groove loving musicians aimed at bringing the world fresh and funky vibes. Their collective credits include Joe Zawinul, Hugh Masekela, Prince, Ruth Brown, Chaka Khan, Simple Minds, Billy Idol, Tito Puente, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Sheila E. and many more.

The band formed around 2009 when drummer Tal Bergman and guitarist Ron DeJesus combined their love of funk music and wanted to share it with the world. After recording and performing with blues-rock titian Joe Bonamassa, Bergman invited him to join the fun. By 2011, Bonamassa had officially joined the band and the groove has been growing stronger ever since.

RCFP isn’t your run of the mill funk jam band. They are highly reputable, respected, and experienced professional musicians who share a love of experimenting with various musical concepts. Individually, the members add their own expertise and styles to the mix. Tal Bergman’s versatile drum style has allowed him to play every style from rock and R&B to jazz and Latin. He appeared on many reputable artist’s albums including Rod Stewart, Billy Idol, and LL Cool J. Guitarist Ron DeJesus has always been inspired by funk music and has been continuing to preserve the legacy of funk greats like James Brown and Sly Stone. Bassist Mike Merritt brings the swinging jazz side of things to the table. He has played in the famous jazz group the Jazz Messengers as well as Conan O’Brien’s house bands. Finally, Renato Neto brings a Brazilian flare that adds a fantastic rhythmic element.

RCFP are: Tal Bergman (producer and drums), Joe Bonamassa (guitar), Ron DeJesus (guitar), and Mike Merritt (bass).

The Groove Cubed which is set for release on October 20, 2017, was recorded at Tal Bergman Studios in Los Angeles, California. With the new album, the band continues to push the musical envelop and seamlessly blends various genres together. The band shakes things up by adding two fabulous vocalists to the mix (Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble and Mahalia Barnes), which “is a first for RCFP.” According to Bergman, “It will take the listener on journey that explore the use of different styles of music from different eras and hopefully break some rules!!” The Groove Cubed has the “mark of real pros,” with top-notch improvisation and musical chemistry. The band “came in (the studio) with nothings, and came out with a new record.”

This album shatters genre defining stigmas and takes elements from the past as well as from contemporary music. Each song starts with “a riff, groove, or feel” and morphs into a stellar funk gem. Bergman says that the main goal for The Groove Cubed was “as always to say something different. This band is a perfect vehicle to make music in unorthodox ways that crosses different genres.” The band’s motto and perfect concept for this new album is that “there are no rules, just expect the unexpected.”

Booklet for Groove is King