Now is the time America. A forward-thinking presidential candidate is ready to steer this country into a brighter, more focused future. From pledges to end our reliance on Middle East oil in the next 10 years to guarantees of investments in education and promises of healthcare reform, Barack Obama stated his case for a new America on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention. While accepting his party’s nomination, Obama delivered a stirring speech that outlined the need for individual responsibility, a break from outmoded political ideals and a transformation of this nation’s broken foreign policy agendas.
Articulate, Brilliant and Inspiring — America, Meet Your Brand New Funky President
Simply stated, Obama has the ability to change America’s imprint on the 21st Century. Here him out:
“The times are too serious. The stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together, and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a red America or a blue America. They have served the United States of America.”
Friggin’ brilliant. This isn’t lip-service folks. This guy speaks with the conviction of a true believer. Obama believes in the fundamental promise of this country. He believes that the practices of the past don’t apply to the present, and that if we want to prepare for the future, we need a create a new understanding today. This understanding must be forged from a sense of commonality — a shared belief that we Americans are more similar than we are different.
The identities that divide us into fringe groups — from gays, to immigrants to anti-war activists — these divisive identities do not serve our collective interests. We can achieve more together than we can apart. And the time is right for someone to bring to the table “the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.”
The logic just kept on pouring out. This brand new funky president is as articulate as he is passionate. Listen to this stuff:
“Now I know there are those that dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that’s to be expected. Because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone who people should run from.”
“You make a big election about small things.”
“And you know what? It’s worked before. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn’t work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it’s best to stop hoping and settle for what you already know.”
“I get it. I realize that I’m not the most likeliest of candidates for this office. I don’t fit the typical pedigree, and I haven’t spent my career in the halls of Washington.”
“But I stand before you tonight because all across America, something is stirring. What the naysayers don’t understand is that this election has never been about me. It’s about you. It’s about you.”
“For 18 long months, you have stood up one by one and said enough with the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics, with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us. That in defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn’t come from Washington. The change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it. Because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership — a new politics for a new time.”
“America, this is one of those moments.”
Wow. Simply unbelievable. Never in my life have I felt such a genuine emotional connection to someone running for political office. I can’t believe it. I really can’t. This guy was bringing me to tears man. The inspirational force behind his words rests in the fact that you can believe — I mean really believe — that this man can back his words up with actions.
I thought it was a brilliant speech. Pat Buchanan and Bill Kristol did too. I’m proud to be an American tonight, and I’ll be even prouder when Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States. With his speech on Thursday, Obama ensured that this big election will not be about small things. The stage is now set for this election to be one of the most historic turning points in the history of this country.
Last night the LA Lakers put the Spurs out of their misery and advanced to the NBA Finals. To celebrate the occasion, Funk Deli’s breakin’ out an old school electro jam that celebrates the exploits of the 1982 Showtime LA Lakers.
The 1981-82 Showtime Lakers
The 1981-82 Lakers won the Pacific Division with a 57-25 record. With the help of newcomer Bob McAdoo, new coach Pat Riley and a squad that included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kurt Rambis, Michael Cooper and current GM Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers swept the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals and went on to the NBA Finals, defeating the 76ers in six games. Before the age of 23, Magic Johnson secured his second NBA title and his second NBA Finals MVP Award. The Lakers continued to dominate throughout the 80s.
Mighty Fire
With the Lakers rising up once again, I thought it was only fitting to share this gem of a track that Mighty Fire put out on Elektra Records in 1982. Mighty Fire was a funky/electro/disco act out of LA that put out two albums: No Time For Masquerading in 1981 and the self-titled Mighty Fire in 1982. The band split up after the release of their second album.
Next time you’re planning a big BBQ eat fest, make sure you secure a side of funky beats. Funk N Chunk is a Bay Area catering service that provides just that — scrumptious BBQ dishes with a hefty dose of funky DJs throwing down everything from hip hop to funk and more. To contact this BBQ and DJ catering service, visit the Funk N Chunk website.
The O’Jays are a pioneering Philly soul act that was formed back in 1958. The group burst on to the top of the charts in the early 1970s with hits like “Backstabbers,” “Love Train,” and “For The Love Of Money.” If you wanna experience the band’s signature funky, soulful grooves in person, grab your O’Jays tickets now for the upcoming March 22nd concert at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI.
The show starts at 8, and tickets are still available. The price for these OJays Tickets ranges from $137 to $198
Here’s a taste of what you’ll get when you see Galactic jam out with Chali 2na at The Depot in Salt Lake City. This track is called “Think Back,” and it’s off Galactic’s new album From The Corner To The Block. This short, funky video clip is a live performance from Galactic and Chali 2na at Bonnaroo in 2007.
Utah needs more funk, and tonight, Salt Lake City is gonna get a heavy dose of funky music. Galactic, an intensely funky band from New Orleans and Chali 2na, the innovative rapper of Jurassic 5 fame will be performing tonight at The Depot in Salt Lake. Ohmega Watts, another versatile, funk-inspired rap artist, will also be in the mix. This show is guaranteed to be a foot-stompin’ good time.
Galactic is a band that’s loaded with talented musicians who can jam out funky licks for hours at a time. Galactic just released their sixth album From the Corner to the Block. It features contributions from many of hip hop’s most talented lyricists — artists like Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, Mr. Lif, Ladybug Mecca, Juvenile, Boots Riley and Lyrics Born.
The doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $22. The Depot is located on 400 West South Temple in Salt Lake City.
The Hard Sell Tour features innovative multimedia displays along with funky, 45-inch mixing journeys from DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. If you wanna find out what you can expect at a Hard Sell Tour event, here’s a video that should get you fired up. This funky video introduction is from DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist’s performance at the Ogden Theater in Denver earlier this month.
Anyone who regularly digs through the Prelinger vault of ephemeral films at Archive.org will recognize the some imagery on display at DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist’s Hard Sell Tour performances. This intro is pure genius.
A few weeks back we put up a post about an early December Cut Chemist show at the Silent Movie Theatre in Hollywood. We bought tickets, got excited and then the show was canceled. Like many others, we were pretty bummed about missing out on the show, and we couldn’t wait until the next Cut Chemist show in L.A.
DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist Bring The Hard Sell Tour to California
Well, the wait is over. The Hard Sell Tour featuring DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist is rolling through California this week. Here are the dates.
Feb 13, 2008
The Hard Sell - DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist @ Grand Ballroom - The Regency Center - San Francisco, CA
Feb 14, 2008
The Hard Sell - DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist @ House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Feb 15, 2008
The Hard Sell w/ DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist @ Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA
If you want to see guaranteed superb funked-out 45-happy show, visit TicketMaster today. Tickets for the show at the Wiltern are $35.50. Kid Koala will be in the mix as well — how can you go wrong with that lineup?
The Hard Sell Tour will be making it’s way to Europe in March and April. Here’s a look at the European tour dates: Read the rest…
The 3rd Annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival is taking place on March 15th and 16th at Dolphins Stadium in Miami. The Festival combines funky, jazzy and soulful music with amazing food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Here’s the lineup of artists:
Saturday, March 15th
Wyclef Jean
Chaka Khan
George Benson
Mike Phillips
Sunday, March 16th
O’Jays
Nancy Wilson
Kem
Chrisette Michele
Anthony David
For more information about the event, visit the Jazz in the Gardens official website. Tickets are on sale now. You can secure prime reserve tickets that will put you in th front of the stage, reserve seating tickets that will place you in rows 28 through 42 or general admission tickets that feature unreserved seating beyond row 42.
Ticket prices for prime reserve seating are $50 for one day or $75 for two days. Reserve tickets are available for $40 (one day) or $60 (two days). The price for general admission tickets is $25 (one day) or $40 (two days). Tickets will also be avialbe at the event, but a $5 surcharge will apply.
For all you funk fans out there who want to see the Mothership in person, here’s your chance. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will be playing in Malibu at The Malibu Inn on February 15th. Clinton and his remaining p-funk all-stars will follow the Malibu show with a concert at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas on February 16th. Hit up Ticketmaster to score tickets that start at $26.50 each.
George Clinton is one of the most innovative funk artists of all time. With all due respect to James Brown, funk music wouldn’t be around without the oddball funkster from North Carolina with the wild hair. Clinton went through doo wop and psych-rock before developing the fundamental funk roots that would deeply influence an entire generation of musicians. Clinton’s contributions go beyond the origins of funk. Without George Clinton, there’s no Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg or G-funk era. The Red Hot Chili Peppers could never claim a funk connection with out the help of Clinton. Sampled music wouldn’t get as much love if it wasn’t for artists like Clinton who encouraged producers to lift, mix and recycle p-funk loops to make a new musical creation. Go and see the guy. With so many friggin’ people on stage delivering the goods, you can’t go wrong with a George Clinton/P-Funk performance.
And, while you’re at it, check out George Clinton’s homepage. It’s as out-of-this-world as the spaced-out funk man himself. Often imitated but never repeated, George Clinton is a performer that you just have to see in person.
