The band\u2019s name suggests a sound that draws from the complex and intricate rhythms of Africa. But while Seattle-based Polyrhythmics began with Afrobeat as a musical starting point, the group has crafted a sound all its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Joseans can experience that sound at a free concert sponsored by Levitt Pavilion San Jose in St. James Park this Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group\u2014perhaps better described as a collective\u2014released its debut album, Labrador<\/em>, in 2011. Today, Polyrhythmics have six albums, a pair of EPs and a half dozen singles. And the style and sound will confound those intent on pigeonholing the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saxophonist\/flutist Art Brown laughs when that conundrum is pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe whole \u2018labeling\u2019 discussion confounds us as band members, too,\u201d he says. Noting that the original concept came from founders Ben Bloom (guitar) and drummer Grant Schroff, Brown says that Polyrhythmics did begin with musical touchstones that included Fela Kuti and Antibalas. \u201cThat\u2019s how it was pitched to me,\u201d he says. But as the vision\u2014and the group\u2014expanded, a horn section became an integral part. \u201cAnd I think we\u2019ve branched out significantly,\u201d Brown says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sonic realignment was more a factor of exploring the unique collective character that the seven-man lineup brought to the music. And constant touring meant that the group\u2019s style, strength, cohesion and versatility only grew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polyrhythmics\u2019 first three albums were released by a small, Canada-based label specializing in vinyl releases of instrumental funk and Afrobeat. By 2017 the group had shifted to self-releasing its music, but a fortuitous meeting helped bring the band to a wider audience. \u201cBen had been a fan of the New Mastersounds for several years,\u201d Brown recalls. And when Bloom turned his band mates on to the deep-groove boogaloo funk of the foursome from Leeds, England, they were impressed as well. \u201cI thought they were just incredible,\u201d Brown says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A mutual respect and friendship grew between members of the two bands, and when New Mastersounds guitarist Eddie Roberts launched his own label, Color Red, Polyrhythmics arranged for a pair of releases on the new imprint. 2020\u2019s Man From the Future<\/em> will appeal to fans of Roberts\u2019 group, with the addition of complex rhythms and shades of James Brown, Maceo Parker and George Clinton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Man From the Future<\/em>\u2019s sonic textures also took the music in a moodier direction; the group’s website uses words like \u201csinister\u201d and \u201cdark.\u201d But that was only one of many sides to the band; at almost the same time, they released another disc. A five-song, 12-inch EP called Fondue Party<\/em> showed Polyrhythmics\u2019 playful side. It recalls classic genre-blurring releases like Herbie Mann\u2019s Memphis Underground<\/em> and Push Push<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As bracing and high-energy as Polyrhythmics’ music is, there\u2019s an undercurrent of urbane sophistication and subtlety on the studio cuts. And Brown concedes that getting that subtlety across in a live setting can present a challenge. He explains that his jazz background emphasizes improvisation, an approach in which \u201cmultiple stories are being told from soloist to soloist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Brown says the longer, more groove-oriented approach employed by Polyrhythmics means that a more intentional approach is required. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of ego that needs to be taken away,\u201d he says with a chuckle. \u201cI have to take myself out of it and think more about the journey, the story that we\u2019re telling as a group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polyrhythmics + SOR House Band play Oct. 6 from 3\u20136:30pm at St. James Park in downtown San Jose. Free. levittsanjose.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" San Joseans can hear the sounds of Seattle-based Polyrhythmics at a free concert in St. James Park this Sunday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14789,"featured_media":20177284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[34],"tags":[3457,5640],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n