Temple Bar Sat Jun 9
YB did a short set of tunes from their catalog. Vern was in fine
form, but there was a rush to get set up on short notice. Dennis said he'd
just walked from LAX to the stage and there were some bass amp hook-up
problems. Didn't get time to ask about LC details, but with the JCS
schedule at rest they seem to be talking about it. Group seems
Basically the same, though Vern has added Taylor McFerrin for vocals,
raps, other keys and scratches.

On the headline was a Persian singer named Haale. She had a nice
groove. It was all cool: www.haale.com

I'm likely to cruise in for the LA block party scene today. Hey, it's
free!


GRAND PERFROMANCES - Downtown LA
Sunday June 10
This was the main event; the raison d'etre for the previous night's club gig. Most load-in issues and hookups were resolved and, despite a few glitches in his set-up, Reid & co-founder DJ Logic led their Yohimbe Bros outfit to a stellar climax.

The stage was a raised outdoor stage seated in the middle of the Olive Street boulevard; seated in the canyon created by the Wells Fargo and Watercourt buildings. By the time I arrived Dengue Fever was just into their set. An enjoyable band that draws from LA's expansive Cambodian community. The multi-culti troupe combines native folk songs in a modern rock setting with drums electric keys, guitars bass saxes and flutes. However, I was impatient for their set to end. Getting in and out of Downtown LA and back home for NBA Finals Game #2 was a top priority.

The Yohimbe set was similar to Sat nite's with a few additions and worked better off a larger crowd. "No Pistolas", a rock en espanol song, was a big hit with a crowd that lined up for headliner Ozomatli.

My priority was getting dinner then home for NBA Finals, so I didn't linger for the Ozo set.

I also made the Yohimbe Brothers gig at Temple Bar.
They delivered an eclectic set of skillfully played material.
Not really familiar with the names of their tunes, but at least one of them would have made Frank Zappa proud.

Guitarist Vernon Reid...



...gettin' the gear together.


On a personal note, not only is female vocalist Latasha Nevada Diggs a pleasure to hear...



...she's also approx. 6 feet worth of stunning womanhood.


A good night overall. Not only did I get to hang out with PFunkjazz...



...but I got to hook up with a dear old friend that was in town, Gregory "Popeye" Alexander.

You've probably seen him in a few 80s music videos along with the Robert Townsend films Hollywood Shuffle & The Five Heartbeats.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Cool. Just by the pics, I can feel that it was a tight vibe especially with Vernon in the spot. It looks like it was a great show.