Portland Funk Remembers Prince
Too soon! Too soon! What are we doing here again, eulogizing one of our musical icons? And yet, there it was: Thursday\u2019s news about the death of Prince.
This man meant so much to dancers, deviants and DJs.
XRAY-FM radio host and DJ for Lifesavas Rev Shines started us down the path. He\u2019s scheduled to work at a Three Kings night next month, featuring the music of Prince alongside Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. He says it\u2019s going to be nuts.
\u201cIt\u2019s making me do my homework,\u201d Rev told us. \u201cI grabbed everything I could find.\u201d
As Portland\u2019s Hollywood Theatre gears up for a Thursday showing of \u201cPurple Rain,\u201d and Voodoo Doughnuts cranks out a line of purple-frosted, raspberry-filled donuts in honor of the late, genre-busting genius, we went out to talk to two guys carrying the funk forward: Trumpet guru Farnell Newton and funk bandleader Tony Ozier.
They joined forces two years ago as the record label FN Beats Galore. Their celebrated lineup, Othership Connection, had a big gig opening for George Clinton this month. And they join in the global remembrance of Prince.
\u201cIt\u2019s a part of the lineage of the music that we play,\u201d said Farnell.
We chatted them up about what Prince meant to funk, and what\u2019s new with FN Beats. They\u2019re hatching plans for a festival of black music this fall \u2014 something they promise will showcase Portland\u2019s best. Take a listen.