Vinyl 2004: Billy Frates, Geoff Vaughan, Johnny Durkin, Jonathan Korty, Alexis Razon, Danny Cao, Doug Thomas

Vinyl exemplify that San Francisco Bay area bands can still produce outstanding music. Vinyl does this with an infectious blend of old-school funk, Latin percussion, reggae and R&B. Plus, since the band doesn't have a singer, lyrics do not confuse Vinyl's instrumental grooves. Although the band plays original tunes they know how to throw in bits and pieces reminding of familiar sounds from James Brown, George Clinton, Santana, Booker T. ... simply irresistible. Here are some lines from Vinyl's biography:

"Vinyl's live shows are notoriously high energy dance parties that unite fans of many musical styles. Originating in the San Francisco Bay Area over eight years ago, Vinyl has become as tight a seven-piece ensemble as can be found in today's music scene. The players have a keen understanding of eachother's musical expression resulting in a cohesive and adventurous sound that offers tasteful improvisation combined with a fortified, rhythmic backbone. Vinyl's instrumentation includes the mighty Hammond organ, piano, guitar, sax, trumpet, flute, harmonica, congas, timbales, bass, and drums. This broad array of sounds enables Vinyl to explore Latin rhythms with authenticity, lay down their unique brand of reggae and dub, and drive it all home with booty-shaking, full-figured funk.

They have played a multitude of festivals including main-stage slots at the High Sierra Music Festival, Reggae on the River, Oregon Country Fair, Mountain Aire, Jazz Aspen, Berkshire Mountain Music Festival, the All Good Festival and many others. For the last five years, Vinyl has played sold-out sunrise sets at New Orleans' legendary Maple Leaf during Jazzfest. In 2001, Vinyl teamed up with Phil Lesh for a jam-packed benefit concert in Petaluma, CA with Vinyl performing as Phil's band. Vinyl received a "Wammie" award for Best International Band from San Francisco's SF Weekly and was voted one of the top 25 bands in the country by a jambands.com nationwide poll. Vinyl has released four albums - these include 1997's self-titled debut, 1998's Live at Sweetwater recorded at the band's legendary hometown club, and 2001's Flea Market, which weaves its way in and out of grooves and dub interludes with the help of musical guests Les Claypool and Bernie Worrell. The new album, entitled All the Way Live, is a live double-album recorded at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. It captures Vinyl at its grooving best and includes guest appearances by Huey Lewis, Bernie Worrell, Rob Wasserman, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Terry Haggerty, and many others. Recorded over two sold-out nights, All the Way Live showcases Vinyl's adaptability to different styles and players, illuminates their talents as musicians and growth as a band, and confirms their place as one of the more vital live bands playing today".

Earlier Vinyl line-up: Doug Thomas, Danny Cao, Jonathan Korty, Billy Frates, Geoff Vaughan, Alexis Razon, and brothers Antonio and Sean Onorato.

Please take a look at the discography and feel free to use the links provided underneath. Buying Vinyl's albums adds an everlasting energy source to your internal groove system. Enjoy the cruise!

Discography