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Interviews,
Music
“Music Man” Miles Tackett along with his main associate,
Mixmaster Wolf, lead a rotating cast of musicians called
Breakestra. The musicians perform a blend of Hip Hop, soul and funk-tinged arrangements and have done so for a decade-plus. Tackett’s “Funk Orchestra” was an integral part of LA’s underground music scene in the 1990s and has been a training ground for newer musicians too—past members have gone on to write and produce for artists like
Macy Gray and The
Black Eyed Peas.
Tackett was also the bandleader at LA’s now-famous “Root Down” parties (heralded events known for "Sound Clash", beat battles that featured top DJs and producers, many of whom are now quite established). Through the years, they’ve released many works including side-projects, a slew of singles and EPs, mixtapes and a couple LPs. From funk covers to original compositions, Breakestra continually pedals their take on funk-fusion to rhythm addicts all over.
Best known for his much-sampled dance floor funk bomb “Soul Makossa" [that Michael Jackson got sued for unauthorized use of in “Wanna Be Starting Something"], Manu Dibango is among a small illustrious group of musicians who’ve managed to sustain their career into a fifth decade. The Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player blends Afrobeat, jazz and funk together for an original sound - which we heard in all its brilliance in London on May 4th; the second of a sold out three night stand at the legendary music institution Ronnie Scott’s.
