The Outer Edges

When I have an opportunity to see either Soulive or Antibalas play, more often than not I’m in the front row. Now combine the two on one bill. Now take that and give them a nice outdoor venue like the Prospect Park bandshell in Brooklyn. Now make me pay only $3 for a seat up front and center. Easy decision to attend this one, wouldn’t you say?

During both performances, there was a painter down at the foot of the stage crafting a masterpiece containing images of all the performers. You’ll see the evolution of its creation among all the other show photos.

Prospect Park
While I only got to see a small corner of the park itself, it seems quite the nice and relaxing place. I’ll have to make a point to explore it more some day soon. Pictured below is the 9th Street entrance, which is throwing distance from the bandshell itself.

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
I showed up about a half hour before the gates were opened and got to take in some of the sound check, with Antibalas sounding like they were ready to start enthralling the masses right then and there.

The show contained a lot of material off of their new EP “Government Magic”, which will be joining my music collection soon enough. Of course, this also meant that most of what they played I couldn’t identify, but there was no mistaking when they broke out into a frenzied version of “Indictment” — always a highlight at any show they play.

Sound check

Both young and old getting into the groove

The painting takes shape

Soulive
Most of the evening featured the five man Soulive lineup, with Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Ryan Zoidis on the sax. They also played lots of material off of their forthcoming album, but it was mixed equally with some of their classics and covers. “Solid” was played as it’s named, “Lenny” was as good as ever with Kraz on the guitar, and they ended the set with a cover of “Crosstown Traffic”. All in all, very enjoyable.

The near finished product

Bready enjoys the jams

The enthralled crowd

Done and done

The bandshell on the way out

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 25th, 2005 at 8:49 am and is filed under Show Recaps, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.