Concubine Chronicles by Funkestra
Recorded live in Mark Knopfler's studio over 3 days, this album captures the gritty and muscular jazz funk sound of this unique ensemble.
Quotes:
‘Stefan grooves so hard with his Music Man Sterling that you will find it impossible to sit still’.
(German Bass Professor Magazine, Lars Lehman)
‘I’m always looking for some ensemble sound that is fresh, exciting and ‘signature’. Some never hit anything, but with you I didn’t have to wait long. Terrific, unique, more!'
(Bill Bruford after a live performance at the Boileroom in Guildford)
About:
After their polished and discolicious big band studio production ‘Hausmusik’ it was time to record a down, dirty and live record of the tunes Redtenbacher’s Funkestra have been performing live over the past year. Longstanding organ player Dave Limina came over from Boston to join Stefan Redtenbacher (bass, bandleader), Mike Sturgis (drums), Eran Kendler (guitar) and Jim Hunt (tenor saxophone) in a three-day lock down in Mark Knopfler’s fabulous studio in West London. Everything was recorded with microphones onto two-inch tape.
No overdubs, no headphones, no clicks and heaps of sonic ‘bleeding’ – nothing in the way of capturing the raw and gritty feel of the band… and raw and gritty it turned out to be – fine arrangements combined with explosive solos and powerful and grinding rhythms throughout. Bassist and bandleader Stefan Redtenbacher composed and arranged all the material (aside from a funkified remake of Radiohead’s ‘Nude’), blending his influences effortlessly together to create that elusive, unique band sound. The Meters, the Brecker Brothers, Jimmy Smith, the JB horns and the like, all provided a piece in the musical puzzle that is the music of the Redtenbacher's Funkestra. Long may they orchestrate!
Tracklist
| 1. | Zap-a-lot | 5:42 |
| 2. | Concubine Chronicles | 6:24 |
| 3. | Atomic Sterile Flies | 5:46 |
| 4. | Ferocious Juggernaut Blondes Revisited | 6:02 |
| 5. | Big Bottom | 7:03 |
| 6. | Music To Keep on Swinging Your Handbag To | 6:48 |
| 7. | The King Of The Jungle | 5:32 |
| 8. | Jazz Cats | 6:18 |
| 9. | Nude (Re-imagined) | 6:10 |
| 10. | Galactisch | 7:56 |
| 11. | Austrian Polka | 0:35 |
Videos
Credits
Musicians:
Jim Hunt - tenor saxophone, Mike Sturgis - drums, Dave Limina - Hammond organ, Eran Kendler - guitar, Stefan Redtenbacher - bass
Written, arranged & produced by Stefan Redtenbacher (except where indicated).
Recorded & mixed by Rupert Christie
Mastered by Bruce Barielle, New Orleans
Artwork 'The Handmaiden' by Julian Black
Photo by Richard Braine
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Austrian-bred bassist and funk fiend Stefan Redtenbacher is an anomaly, anachronism and a defiant demolisher of the pigeon-hole. Currently based in London, Stefan and his band Redtenbacher’s Funkestra deliver “out-and-out spectacular funk” (Snowboy) or, as UK Bass Guitar Magazine put it, “a near perfect slice of jazz-funk from one of Europe’s great players.”