PRIMUS

Primus is a funk-rock band from San Francisco, California.  Their lead singer and bassist, Les Claypool, originally formed the group in 1984.  Their current lineup contains guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane.

Les is most known for his eclectic, technical bass lines and bizarre 'side-show' style vocals.  Their sound has been called everything from 'thrash-funk' to 'alternative metal'.  Les, in his own words, describes it as 'psychedelic polka'.  However, their sound could not, and should not be compared to any contemporary bands, as Primus is a genre unto its own.  Their productions are very instrument-driven, with a 'goofy weirdness' that is as equally inspiring as it is alienating. 

Though Primus has predominantly been an underground band, their cult following has grown to huge proportions.  The band's third album, Sailing the Seas of Cheese, went Gold in 1993, and eventually Platinum in 2001.  Their song 'Pork Soda' off their forth album debuted in the Top Ten, and their fifth album, Tales From the Punch Bowl, went Gold in 1995.

Their most recent album was released earlier in 2011, entitled Green Naugahyde.  It's their seventh studio album, and is their first full-length LP in over ten years.

Calvin Harris

Scottish music producer, artist, and deejay Calvin Harris was only 22 when his first major-label album was dropped.

Born in January 1984, this guy is the same age as me!  He became interested in electronic music very early, and was recording demos in his bedroom by 1999.  He went from posting his 'electroclash' music on MySpace to signing with a multinational record label almost instantaneously.  In 2006, an Artists & Reportoire delegate heard his music, contacted him, and immediately signed him to a major label.

His debut album, entitled 'I Created Disco' was released the following year and featured two top-10 hits.  Soon enough, he was remixing works by Jamiroquai, All Saints, and the Brazilian new rave sensation, CSS.   A collaboration between him and Dizzee Rascal hit #1 in the U.K.  He continues to pump out #1 hits, with songs like "I'm Not Alone" and "Acceptable in the 80's".

He already has multiple number 1 hits, and is becoming more and more prominent every year.  His songs exemplify colorful disco and electronic influences with a modern r&b styling.  His vocal work features very soothing, yet powerful tonalities with excellent vocal harmonies and melodic phrasing.

Afrika Bambaataa

Kevin Donovan is an American DJ from New York, born on April 19, 1957.  Most people are familiar with his work as Afrika Bambaataa.  With quite a considerable reputation, he is considered The Father of the Electro Funk Sound, the "Grandfather" of Hip Hop, and a legend in his spare time.  His influence, and thus hip hop culture, has spread worldwide.

As a child from the Bronx, and the son of an activist, he was subjected to very conflicting ideologies.  In a life of gangs, he was always charismatic, becoming warlord of the Black Spades.  A trip tp Africa showed him how he could use his charisma to enhance relationships with his community  and promote peace.   In 1982, Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force released Planet Rock, which went gold.

He has performed all over the world with a plethora of fellow legends, and he was one of 9 nominees for 2008's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction.  Afrika Bambaataa's songs include new wave influences, danceable beats, and rhythmic rhyme schemes.

Sam Sparro

Sam Sparro is an electro-funk music producer from Australia.  He is signed to the British Island Records, and is also a child actor.  Gospel-trained vocals and multi-instrumental, his songs are danceable,  state-of-the-art productions.  His sound is said to compare with that of Prince, Jamiroquai, and the Gap Band.

In 2002, while working in a coffee shop, he wrote his hit single "Black and Gold".  His songs feature disco influences, and like most of the songs I post here, feature soothing melodic phrasing and a subtle use of vocal harmonies, with a modern rhythm and blues styling.   I guess that's my style.

 
He released a six-track EP in 2007, and a self-titled record in 2008 after signing with British Island Records.  I would call this 'flamboyant, gangster electronica'.  But, regardless of labels, this song rocks.  Check out his Black and Gold video!  It's awesome!

100% Chromeo

Chromeo is an electrofunk duo from Montreal, Canada.  The band formed in the mid 1990's, and are most known for their electronica and disco influences, their house roots, and their extremely danceable beats.

The band is composed of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel), who plays synthesizer, keyboard and talk box, and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch), the duo's guitar player and lead vocalist.

The two, who were childhood friends, sarcastically define themselves as the "only successful Arab / Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture".

Their debut album, 'She's In Control', dropped in 2004.  It instantly became a world-wide hit, being played in clubs overseas, as well as at home.

After a three year break, the band released their second album, Fancy Footwork.  And another album, Business Casual, on September 14, 2010.

On February 21, they performed their hit-song ''Hot Mess" on TBS's Conan.  Watch it here!

This is one of my all-time favorite bands.  Their videos are awesome, and they seem to respectfully enjoy their fan-base, and their success.  Not to mention - they're incredibly good at what they do.  They seem to be a convivial duo who are trying to create something new in a world of repetition and monotony.