Fusik’s Newest Release with DJ Le Spam is Funky to the Third Power

By Vanessa Martin
The name Fusik (pronounced few-sick) reflects this Fort Lauderdale band’s signature sound — a fusion of funk, soul, and Latin genres that glides on the fundamentals of hip-hop and psychedelic rock. If that description alone doesn’t incite you to get down, then nothing ever will.

The quintet have been together since 2005, and started out in the b-boy, break-dancing scene, but these days, they’re all about the funk. Charles “Chip” Gardner is on keys and Anton “Sanchez” Rivera plays the guitar and accompanies it with raspy, soulful vocals. Then there’s drummer Daniel ‘Felix’ Garcia, bassist Mack Henry Moore III, and Daniel “Quinto” Naval adding cannon-fire percussive elements.

Fusik is releasing their third full-length album,

Fusik III. The eight tracks are classic Fusik: Think head-bobbing

rhythm, funk bass, and feel-good synthy vibes. The disc showcases the

band’s maturity through creative and well-arranged grooves. “I think

we’ve gotten better as musicians, we’re older,” says keyboardist Chip

Gardner. “Some of the album was recorded in early 2011, so some of the

stuff is newer, and some is older.”

The album was recorded and

mixed by Andrew Yeomanson, a.k.a. DJ Le Spam, of the Spam Allstars at his City of

Progress Studio in North Miami Beach. It’s a virtual museum of guitars,

amps, keyboards, and drums from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. They helped foster this easily-inspired act’s creativity. “We look to

ourselves for inspiration, we like listening to the music we like to

play then we think about whether our fans are going to like it,” says

Gardner. “Our musical inspiration is everything; James Brown, Jimi

Hendrix, ’70s Latin, funk, we’re also really into local bands.”

Brotherly

Love Productions, the Boca-based

musical production powerhouse is putting together Fusik III‘s

pre-release party at the Funky Biscuit

on Friday, January 25. Attendees will receive a free copy of the album,

which will be available on iTunes and Amazon on February 5. If you’re

lucky, you might even catch some of the band members break out in dance.

The power of funk is uncontrollable, after all. 
Fusik

and $10 at the door. Call 561-395-2929 or visit funkybiscuit.com.

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