Announcing The New Wave of Vancouver Funk & Soul
In the late 60's Vancouver's funk and
soul scene hit its first peak as Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
released their only album with the hit single “Does Your Mama Know”
on Motown [the band featured Tommy Chong]. Their hits put Vancouver
on the map for a short while, if in name only. Jayson Hoover
recorded one of the first albums at Mushroom Studios and had a
Canadian hit with “King Size”. Other Vancouver notables on the
scene were Kentish Steele and The Epics. In the 80's Vancouver was
regularly funkin' it up to the groove of Henri Brown and HB Concept –
then things went relatively quiet until recently.
The Vancouver soul and funk scene has
been slowly building up momentum over the last few years. If you have
ever been to the monthly East Van Soul Club event at the Biltmore
[2nd Friday of the month] you will already know there is a
yearning for that old funk and soul vibe, particularly in the mid
20's crowd. If you have ever been to a Five Alarm Funk or No Sinner
gig you will know what kind of following they have. There are
numerous other bands of note Tonye Aganaba & The Foundation, High
Society, Coco Jafro, Victoria's The Chantrelles and
Northern Soul influenced Van City Soul Quartet are pushing out new
original recordings that answers the call for eager new fans.
One of the more significant Vancouver
developments is the presence of soul legend Dutch Robinson. Robinson
is the original singer with 70's funkers Ohio Players; Dutch left the
band in 71 and continued as a solo performer signing to United
Artists and released “Can't Get Along Without You” . The 45
currently sells for about $100 on Ebay and is a favourite with
British Northern Soul fans. Dutch recently got invited to play at the
world's largest Northern Soul event in Skegness, England; along with
the likes of Archie Bell, Tommy Hunt, Dee Dee Sharpe and 8000 ardent
Northern Soul fanatics. Dutch also plays a regular gig at Guilt &
Company in Gastown.
“Having a veteran like Dutch Robinson
is a major inspiration and catalyst for new ideas” says East Van
Soul Club founder Ian Gregson. Gregson who originally hails from
Wigan [home of the Wigan Casino] also says “Dutch is the icing on
the cake for the re-birth of the Vancouver soul and funk scene”.
“Too often the bands either break up
or move to larger and cities in order to keep themselves alive”
states Gregson from his home in East Vancouver. “I believe
Vancouver has what it takes to keep a vibrant funk and soul scene
sustainable”.
There are several venues that favour
soul and funk bands, particulary the aforementioned Guilt &
Company, The Vancouver Fanclub and the monthly event at the Biltmore.
If in doubt to the validity of this
re-birth head on down to a Dutch Robinson event at Guilt &
Company and marvel at the 20-somethings dancing up a storm for the 68
year old veteran.
Check out the following bands via their
web sites:
Check out these venues:
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