Bazungu

Sometime in late 2002, a funky interstellar airbus landed quietly in the mind of drummer Rudy Curatolo. Soon after, he found bassist Kirk Bryson, and the two quickly decided that a modern funk band might be just the ticket. They needed something else they needed a keyboardist. Luckily, they had only to wait a few weeks before Eric Hirsh burst fully clothed from a mysterious keyboard case, a full 222 keys and 196 buttons in tow. And then there was Jeff Fowler (who sings a little and takes guitar solos) and then there was Bazungu.

Bazungu can get pretty funky; a little jammy (but not all that much). Bazungu sounds like what its members wanted to hear coming out of late night clubs when they started out: funk with a jazz sensibility, but never without that beat that people can dance to. Sensible, positive songwriting mixed with subtlety and the kind of rare groove that could easily end up sampled.

Sometime in late 2002, a funky interstellar airbus landed quietly in the mind of drummer Rudy Curatolo. Soon after, he found bassist Kirk Bryson, and the two quickly decided that a modern funk band might be just the ticket. They needed something else they needed a keyboardist. Luckily, they had only to wait a few weeks before Eric Hirsh burst fully clothed from a mysterious keyboard case, a full 222 keys and 196 buttons in tow. And then there was Jeff Fowler (who sings a little and takes guitar solos) and then there was Bazungu.

Bazungu can get pretty funky; a little jammy (but not all that much). Bazungu sounds like what its members wanted to hear coming out of late night clubs when they started out: funk with a jazz sensibility, but never without that beat that people can dance to. Sensible, positive songwriting mixed with subtlety and the kind of rare groove that could easily end up sampled.

In the past few months, Bazungu has made its presence felt in the Triangle area of North Carolina through appearances at local clubs and bars. In addition to regular gigs, Bazungu has competed in two regional competitions, winning one and placing runner-up in the other. Carolina Coffee Shop has graciously served as a flagship venue, hosting numerous shows including the CD release party for the first EP: Now With a Dot.

Right from the powerful opening track Dont Walk Away, the band establishes a feel that governs the remaining six cuts. The Fighter touches on storytelling mode, while the EP comes to a close with the triumphant sophistofunktitude of Spades to Shovels. Now With a Dot is available at all Bazungu shows and local record outlets. It can also be purchased through the website: www.bazungu.com.

Now that it has introduced itself, Bazungu would like to invite you and yours to move it. Not in a stand by the wall sort of way, but in the pow-pow-gnar-gnar-rad-shake-your-ass funkasm way that Bazungu is more than happy to inspire. Bazungu is that fresh groove to make you move. The End.