The day itself was perfect, a so called threat of rain which never materialized. Blue skies opened up and an afternoon of Funk and Soul in NYC began. I hadn’t been to a SummerStage event since N.E.R.D rocked it with Princess Superstar and a then on the come up DJ Z-Trip. Here we are close to 10 years later and the artists have definitely stepped up, the SummerStage area has stepped up, and for a whole show of Funk and Soul to be showcased in Central Park, well that was just pure genius.

The show opened up with King, a Los Angeles trio of two twin singers Amber and Paris, along with their producer Anita Bias. Anita added a third voice, plus manned the synthesizers and keyboards. The three ladies in King simultaneously channeled Jill Scott and Chaka Khan while wooing the crowd with standout originals such as “Supernatural” and ending their set with a cover of Bilal’s “Make Me Over” before going out on a high note of a blend of “What You Won’t Do For Love” by Bobby Caldwell. This opened the crowd up a bit. In between the bands, Philly’s own DJ Rich Medina got people into the groove with a great blend of Michael Jackson, Tribe Called Quest original samples and some R & B that was perfect for a Summer afternoon.

Next up was another LA band, Fitz and the Tantrums, a retro Soul outfit that has been hyped up from everyone from Carson Daley to T-Mobile commercials. Stacking the cards with vet session players (drummer John Wicks, ex-Macy Gray keyboard/ musical director Jeremy Ruzumna, De La Soul live sax/flute player James King, highly sought after session guy bassist Joseph Karnes), lead singer Michael Fitz had no trouble winning over the crowd at SummerStage playing their title track from their LP Pickin’ Up the Pieces, the popular “Money Grabber”, and taking liberties on their version of the White Stripes “Steady As She Goes” and Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” among others. The stage presence of Fitz and singer Noelle Scaggs (who controlled the crowd tempo, called out people for not dancing, and didn’t stop her Tina Turneresque moves and tambourine the whole night) is undeniable. It’s a low key version of the Sharon Jones/ Lee Fields bit, when Fields comes out at Dap Kings shows and they play off each other while simultaneously playing the crowd. They both can sing and hold the audience captive with tales of heartbreak, and this audience was captive at Rumsey Playfield for sure. However, I wasn’t sure how to take them. The music was solid, yes, but I found them more Pop with elements of Soul. Being billed as Retro Soul or a Soul throwback is pretty serious in my book. We know who has the market in that category. When I think of that genre, I do think of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings first and foremost. I also think of Osaka Monaurail, Lefty’s Soul Connection, The Jive Turkeys, and Chicago’s The Right Now!. However, FATT have hung and performed with the King of Blue Eyed Soul, Daryl Hall, (Fitz channels him more than anyone IMHO) and have that back beat that drives Soul Music. Although, I don’t believe you can just put a suit on and call it Soul music. Talented? Yes. 3 1/2 stars in Rolling Stone magazine? Yes. Will they be a break out band in 2011? Without a doubt yes. Retro Soul? Not in my book. They did put on a helluva show, had the most people’s attention of all the bands. They remind me of when A Certain Ratio covered “Shack Up” by Banberra (a good cover in it’s own right), just more well known, better players, and a better marketing machine. To me more New Wave Pop than Soul. Great musicians, just one man’s opinion.

This leads me to the headliners, Lee Fields and the Expressions. If you have been a fan of Soul Fire, Desco, Daptone or Truth and Soul, you know the signature sound of each. The artists record on analog equipment, conditions just like they were in ’67, or ’74, as to preserve the feel and sound of each record. They have carved a bona fide niche out the sound that was made back then, but recorded today. Sometimes the artist was actually recording when the “original sound” was formed. One of them was Lee Fields. From his early 45’s on Bedford to the transition and rediscovery in the 90’s, “Little JB” is to me and should be to the public, a carrier of the Funk and Soul torch. The half filled Rumsey Field to me, was a travesty. The Expressions warmed everyone up with their “Expressions Theme” before calling Fields to the stage. Dressed to the nines in a suit without the jacket but complete with a waist coat, Fields ripped through “My World”, “Money i$ King”, “Ladies”, “Honey Dove” and his rendition of the Supremes “My World is Empty” among others. The Expressions which feature a few Dap King and Truth and Soul players are the epitome of a Soul band: right, tight and out of sight. It was a shame that most of FATT audience bolted before they could see what real Soul music was from a Soul legend. Lee Fields belted out his pain and struggle through his music on the SummerStage, the life long struggle of trying to make it as a Soul musician, being true to yourself, and doing it on your own terms . A true showman, the man commands and deserves respect. It was hard for him in the 60’s and 70’s releasing real Soul stuff and not being appreciated for it until 30+ years later. Here we are in 2011, and he is still releasing and playing damn good Soul music. It looks like the times haven’t changed at all. Keep Diggin’!

Check out the photos from the show by photographer Rameen Gasery from the show here.