Audio By Carbonatix
Fusik
With Ketchy Shuby
Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, June 26, 2010
TopSpot USA‘s
Sean Russell, a local music industry player and subject of a recent New Times Broward-Palm Beach profile,
tracks down the latest news and adds insight from the front row of
local concerts. On Saturday, Russell attended the CD Release Concert at
Culture Room featuring South Florida act Fusik.
Mention the name Fusik in the South Florida music community and you
will be treated to several blank stares. This is not a testament to
their music or inability to draw a crowd. Having toured overseas with
many songs featured as the soundtrack to b-boy battles in places as far
as Japan, Fusik is quickly finding its audience in the U.S. While the
word fusion accurately describes their music, which combines
rock, hip-hop, jazz, funk and soul, it also describes the culture that
they brought to their June 26th performance at the Culture Room. The
night also featured opening act, Ketchy Shuby, as well as a b-boy breaking dancing competition.
Fusik’s Set: After 45 minutes of scintillating head spins,
flips and floor
glides, Fusik finally took the stage. They looked like a close knit
group of friends that picked up instruments
and decided to jam. It’s also clear to see their fondness for ’70s jazz,
soul and funk music, with several of their songs paying homage to
Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and other highly influential musicians. A
nice surprise that complimented their Blues Brothers-inspired ensemble.
Fusik is comprised of five members, all hailing from Miami and Fort
Lauderdale. Guitarist Sanchez and bassist Mack both traded instruments
in the middle of
the set, showing
the unique versatility of the band. The percussionist, Nonms, showed-off
his b-boying skills during one song, while Chip the keyboardist
displayed an
impressive musical proficiency as he simultaneously played three
boards. Felix their drummer served as the composer for the night, much
like he does behind the scenes, according to Hellbent owner and Culture
Room production manager, Ash Ali.
Assessment: Fusik’s performance wasn’t completely met with the undivided
attention
of their audience. While some spectators watched the band the entire
set,
others focused their attention on the shadow b-boy battle that loomed
in the darkness. Still others drank and socialized, adding further to
the feel that this was a lounge performance. The yawns stretched across
the audience as their performance crawled past midnight. Due to the
instrumental nature of the music, a shorter set might have been a
better choice.
The band put together this CD release concert with the help of Hellbent
Productions, BBOY
Spot, The Culture Room and Biggest & Baddest
clothing. They even offered copies of their new album Hot Skillet with
the
purchase of each ticket.
— Sean Russell, TopSpotUSA.com.
Contact him at srussell@topspotusa.com.
