Wow. That’s all I can say. But seriously my fellow inter-celestial and cosmic G-Funk loyalists, Dam-Funk brought everything to the table, and then more. And just when you thought you’d got your money’s worth, there was a little extra! The ‘Ambassador of Boogie Funk’ definitely zapped the sounds of the early '80s to 2010, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of it.
The synth laden ‘modern-funk’ sound of Dam-Funk has been growing steadily since Stones Throw founder Peanut Butter Wolf signed him to the label, while remixes such as his 2007 Burn Rubber release, and his weekly Funkmosphere parties have helped to spread his neo-brand of boogie.
Last Friday night, Melbourne saw Dam Funk mix his own brand of funk together with the classic jams that helped shape his own sound. The entire night delivered on point, combining great local support acts, particularly the live performances by Galapagoose and Beatnick. It was a sophisticated crowd in terms of music taste and style, and there was an intergalactic visual and lighting display with set design to match.
Throughout the night, Dam was constantly raising the bar. Those who were there witnessed him on the 1s and 2s playing rare electro-funk joints circa ‘81 to '83 together with his own original productions. He did this all while jumping over large white triangular props to get to his microphone to sing, call his tunes, and hype the crowd. A multi-talented individual indeed (I hate those kinds of people as well. Call me jealous, I guess).
The ruckus really started when Dam dropped ‘Hood Pass Intact’. The crowd reacted electrifyingly, and credit to them, as it proved that they were an educated bunch of music enthusiasts, rather than a bunch of hipster gazelles.
To top if all off, the man also performed a Hendrix-style solo over ‘Burn Rubber’ on his keytar in the middle of the dance floor.
Dam Funk was the biz.
Review by Jure Kodre. Photos by Tom Blachford.