The Sugarman Three
Funk / Soul
The Sugarman Three was born in the spring of '96 after saxophonist Neal Sugarman returned to New York City from an extended stint in New Orleans. Sugarman, the leader of the band, has had sideman experience with such jazz greats as Eddie Henderson, Mike Longo and New Orleans Hammond organ star Slim Sims to name a few. Sugarman's idea was to put together a band devoted to playing the music he liked best: HARD HITTING FUNKY SOUL BOOGALOO MUSIC. (Boogaloo boo/ga/loo n/adj./v- 1: a many splendored thing; 2: a nasty vibe, and a sweet sexy feeling; a natural release of the essence within; 3: something you do while walking down Broadway.)
Sugarman hooked up with Hammond B-3 Organ whiz Adam Scone. Scone also had experience with some legends of the genre has worked with Lou Donaldson as well as being a vital part of Boogaloo drummer Ben Dixon's band.
With 10 years under his belt as B3 organ giant Brother Jack McDuff's first call drummer, Rudy Albin made the trio complete. Soon, the band became known for the big sound and hard grooves that they were consistently delivering at some of NYC's hottest clubs and parties. While recording their debut Sugar's Boogaloo, for New York based label Desco Records, Sugarman 3 called in guitarist Al Street to fill things out. "The thing that makes this band exciting," Sugarman says, "is that we all had a chance to play with the guys who made the great records in the Golden Age of Funk and Soul."
In September 1998, the band released Sugar's Boogaloo. Driven by a fluid tenor sax and warm Hammond B-3, Sugar's Boogaloo explored the jazzy side of Funk. The band's debut featured smooth originals written by Sugarman with a few sly instrumental reworkings of classic tunes.
Keb Darge, world renowned funk & soul DJ/collector of Deep Funk fame, wrote of Sugar's Boogaloo, "This album is going to make several groups of people happy. Today's growing army of clubbers and DJs pissed of with the mainstream dominated shite will find a plethora of future dance floor killers. Jazz buffs who think they have all the Blue Note and Prestige your collection requires to keep it respectable, think again!! This is one of the best in the genre, without the compulsory 'why-the-fuck-did-they-put-this-on track?' Nouveau mods will delight in picturing yourselves as ultra cool dudes in a hip, early-sixties cult movie. Lovers of sax and Hammond organ will be equally satisfied. And those of you who simply like bloody good music perfectly played, that's exactly what you're gonna get here! There are so many albums you could buy to savor that feeling of disappointment as you skip through the waste of time concealed in their grooves. This is NOT one of those."
|