The Du-Rites: Pigeon Spikes

Another solid funk-fuelled loosie from J-Zone and Pablo Martin, as they continue their exploration of funk’s many avenues under the banner of The Du-Rites. Pigeon Spikes is an amuse bouche to tide us over until the duo’s next physical release in May. You can listen to the track below and there are downloads available via Bandcamp.

The Du-Rites: Soundcheck at 6 (Stream)

I somehow missed this release from The Du-Rites last month, but happily catching up with it now. For Soundcheck at 6, the two main players – J-Zone and Pablo Martin – are joined by another talented duo for a number of live renditions of the funk outfit’s previous jams, with Bruce Martin and Bill Harvey flexing their instrumentation muscle, on keyboards and bass respectively. Some of my favourite Du-Rites joints get the live treatment, including The Man With The Golden Tooth, Bug Juice and Gamma Ray Funk, all of which were recorded at a NY gig last month. If you’re a fan of their earlier releases, or of funk in general, or just a fan of tight live performances, then this is a must cop. You can find digital downloads of all their releases over on Bandcamp and the current album can be heard below.

The Du-Rites: Horse Pills

New music from The Du-Rites as they get us in the mood for their third album, Gamma Ray Jones. It’s not due out until November, but there will also be a new 7″ release in the interim. Keep an eye out for The Mean Machine b/w Corinthian Leather coming in September. You can stream Horse Pills below and downloads are available on Bandcamp.

Wax Tailor ft. Ghostface Killah: Worldwide (The Du-Rites Remix)

Just heard a fantastic remix from The Du-Rites, as they tackle the already solid sounding wax Tailor joint, Worldwide. After the success of Sour Soul, I hope Ghost turns his attention to other beatmakers beyond hip hop cos this sounds so good. There is a preview available over on iTunes.

The Du-Rites: Greasy Listening

Following on from their introductory funk foray in October last year, The Du-Rites return with another album and it’s another triumph. Greasy Listening sees J-Zone and Pablo Martin reunite for more funk exploration, ignited by the success of the first project. But Greasy Listening is not strictly more of the same, as the album takes on the role of an imagined concert, in a fictitious venue named The Collard Green Lounge.

J-Zone: Funk​-​I​-​Tus b​/​w Let The Music Take Your Mind

Double whammy here from J-Zone, as he reworks two classic 60’s funk 45s – Funk​-​I​-​Tus b​y Warm Excursion and Let The Music Take Your Mind by Kool & The Gang. This is his first collaboration with the Fraternity Music Group label, but expect a lot more to bless us in the future.

The Du-Rites: Album Release & Mini-Documentary

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a little bit about the forthcoming album from The Du-Rites and gave you a sample of what to expect from the full project.
Well that project has now seen the light of day and what a triumph it is.

J-Zone & Pablo Martin are The Du-Rites

Fans of J-Zone will most likely already be aware that the man is an accomplished drummer, as well as an accomplished MC. For example you might have heard him playing on the excellent recent album from Michael Kiwanuka, among other features.
Well now he has teamed up with fellow New York musician Pablo Martin to form The Du-Rites, an instrumental funk outfit with a firm of grasp of funk and all its tributaries.

Superblack: White Privilege

Superblack is the formidable combo of legends Prince Paul, J-Zone and Sacha Jenkins, who have come together to bring us White Privilege. Coming on the back of the loved/hated Macklemore track White Privilege II, this track was actually recorded quite a while before, so don’t be thinking this is a retaliation.