This past weekend we were in Los Angeles and had the pleasure of being invited to a private show featuring the band @el_haru_kuroi Along with our buddies from @kilsonstreet, we took in a great night of good people, scenery, and even better musicianship. El Haru Kuroi is a band emblazoned with truth, caring, and talent. Feeling, unity, and strive emanate from the mere joy of what it is to enjoy one of their shows. Eddika Organista`a voice is like a beautiful snake with an apple, who is only there to truly, feed a hungry soul. Singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese, one or more languages you might not know, Eddika still connects.
The percussion is held strong by Dominique "Chief" Rodriguez who loves just being in the middle of the total sound, like a comforting fire on nice evening. He absorbs the energy from around just to help the passion weave its web. Switching back and forth with precision and flow between anything and everything. The bass player, I don`t remember the last time I have seen someone who enjoys their band mates as much as Mr. Michael Ibarra does. Not only does the rhythm they play move his soul, but drive the force that he is behind the forcefully sultry bass playing. Lending you to understand the reverberation that is soul trumping education, and not education suffocating soul.
What better then this? Hearing it all in a private setting in a hotel that shall remain nameless. As if the night couldn`t get any better, we were also invited to go see the percussionist play with his other band, The California Feetwarmers at Eastside Luv Bar. What a double treat, if our ears were donuts they`d have been something ridiculous like a maple bacon donut and us the diabetics in a basement feasting by candle light in secrecy.
The gentlemen from The Feetwarmers, who we had never heard of before are actually a Grammy nominated band for their work they did with Keb' Mo'. On the other hand a lady in our group had been dying to see this band for quite a while. Now we won`t go much in to detail as to not get the names of these fellows wrong, but we will give props as best we can. Brass... WE LOVE FUCKING LOVE BRASS... and Mr. Charles De Castro, sir, you are a mutherfucker when it comes to playing a trumpet and accordion. The trumpet and the trombone which was played by Justin Rubenstein both beautifully flew like two Blue Angels jets through the sky delivering a captivating show for the audience below. Mr. Juan Carlos Reynoso and De Castro had the voices that fit the jams right on point, taking your heart back to the days of old. Patrick Morrison is a killer banjo player, nuff said. "Chief" once again on percussion, showing the gift of versatility among styles in music. Brandon Armstrong with his thin frame, struck out some thick tones all while being "part" of his instrument.
The band play very well and has their shit together just like El Haru Kuroi. One thing is to be a band/group, another is to be so and still be humble, "normal" and down to earth. This time around LA was a doozy, two fantastic bands in one night and even meeting the gentleman that is Barrio Dandy of the Barrio Boogie.
El Haru Kuroi does have two albums out now, Canto Gallo and Sabung and they are two to definitely absorb into your being. While we hear that new goods are on the way. http://www.elharukuroi.com/ The California Feetwarmers have a site for shows, music, and merch as well, check it out. http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/
Thanks for the great time, and until the next one.
