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It was a beautiful sunny summer day when I first heard the funky fresh music of MANDRILL. Cruising through the streets of Long Beach for a ride with Dr. Epic in the stealth mobile, I couldn't help but groove to the beat with the stereo on full blast. Layers of percussion, groovy bass lines, and a glaring horn section are what made me an official Mandrill lover from the moment those sound waves hit my ears. Fast forward a few years to the 2009 Long Beach Funk Fest (presented by Summer and Music). I never thought I would have the opportunity feel the rhythm of Mandrill LIVE, let alone experience something so great in my hometown. People from all over the world gathered for a night of FUNK featuring performances from The Meters' Experience feat. Leo Nocentelli, Dawn Silva of Brides of Funkenstein feat. Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone) and Blackbyrd McKnight (Parliament Funkadelic), and of course MANDRILL. Led by the Wilson brothers, Mandrill moved the streets of Long Beach and had the whole crowd on their feet moving to the beat. Each of the 8 or so musicians had their time to shine and demonstrate their expertise on their instruments. Complete with drum breakdowns and crowd participation, this was easily one of the BEST musical performances I've been fortunate enough to experience. Unfortunately there is no footage from the epic night. Instead I've included a video of Mandrill performing Mango Meat Live at Montreux Jazz in 2002.
This amazing group of talented musicians always brings a high energy show and I hope they are one of the acts that return to the Long Beach Funk Fest this year. For more information on Long Beach's Summer & Music Concert Series, check out this promo video.
CATCH MANDRILL LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tour Dates:
Aug 11, 2011 - B.B. King’s - New York
Aug 13, 2011 - Fort Dupont Park - Washington DC
Aug 15, 2011 - Dell East Music Center - Philadelphia
Sep 3, 2011 - Detroit Jazz Festival - Detroit
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