Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Boogaloo Assassins and Budos Band @ Echo, 4/16/09
Photos by Benjamin Hoste/LAist
It was an old school funk showdown at the Echo on Thursday night. The age old west coast vs. east coast rivalry was in full effect. Not in any sort of negative way, but in a purely competitive spirit. What I wanted to know was which band could out groove the other. Would it be the hometown Boogaloo Assassins with their Latin boogaloo or the funky newcomers from New York supporting their second album with the legendary Daptone Records, Budos Band?
If you judged by sheer numbers, it was about the same. Every nook and cranny of that stage was filled with instruments and musicians. Horns, drums, congas, and pianos were all accounted for. If you judged by skill, it also came out about the same. However if your criteria was number of people getting down on the dance floor, I would say the trophy would have gone to the Boogaloo Assassins. Although pure funk is pretty hard to resist, there is something about salsa that is irresistible to one's pelvis. No matter what your age, race, creed, or convictions, once those drums start, you're hips take off whether or not you're ready.
As soon as the Boogaloo Assassins took the stage I kicked myself for not knowing more about Latin music. Suddenly mute amongst a variety of beats and tempos that could have been anything from cumbia to salsa to a rumba or even and probably more likely boogaloo. I do them a great injustice by not being able to speak more knowlegably about the topic. Something I plan on rectifying immediately.
Support for LAist comes from
One thing was clear from that night, retro is in. Whether it's old school funk, motown, salsa, or boogaloo, big bands with classic sounds are back. And thank goodness. They are just as satisfying as when they showed up last time around. Classics are classics for a reason. Old ideas have been dusted off and gussied up with new melodies and lyrics. Popularized by Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Raphael Saadiq, funk and soul are having an underground rebirth from Los Angeles to New York City. And I can assure you the people are digging it.
If you missed the Boogaloo Assassins this time around, fear not. They will be back for two shows in May.
Schedule:
May 1 2009 House of Blues Anaheim 9:00pm
May 15 2009 El Rey Theater 9:00pmAs Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist