Having worked with the likes of Chali 2na, Breakestra are one of the hottest funk bands on the global music scene at the moment. Miles Tackett, the bass player, took time out to talk with Benjamin Chinnock.
Is the art of sampling, is it being lost?
Actually, just looking at the West Coast producers like Madlib, Exile, J5, Dilated Peoples, People Under The Stairs, Young Einstein of Ugly Duckling and of course the recently departed J-Dilla (RIP), they are all working with samples and still digging’ deep in the cut. Even in the more commercial world folks like Will I Am, Rich Harrison (Beyonce “Crazy In Love”, Amerie “One Thing”) and of course DJ Premiers new tracks for Christina Aguilera, they are all using old soul funk samples.
Who does your music reference?
It generally references a lot of late 60s and early 70s Afromerican music, ranging from soul-jazz to funky soul and even some early style fusion funk.
You have been described as one of the best funk bands in the world, what does this mean to you?
Well first of all those are kind words, whoever says them. It is a good feeling to know that there are a lot of new funk bands keeping the flavour alive around the world. First and foremost credit is due to The Poets of Rhythm of Munich, Germany, for reviving the raw funk sound and style back in the early 90s, they were the first, not withstanding all the original foundations.
Who do you think is the greatest funk band of all times?
Not one, but most of the James Brown bands, Early Kool and the Gang, and of course the funk masters The Meters outta New Orleans.
What about the best drum break?
No question, “Funky Drummer” courtesy of The Funky Drummer Clyde Stubblefield.
Getcho Soul Togetha has an amazing film clip, can you tell me about making it?
It was shot at one of the old bar locations where I started a weekly DJ party called The Rootdown, which I still promote and DJ at in Los Angeles. The idea was to capture the flavour of a night at Rootdown with the Breakestra onstage and all the culture, including of course the folks who contribute like Cut Chemist, Peanut Butter Wolf, Z Trip, Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples, Kofie, and last but not least my recently fallen soul brother DJ Dusk of the Rootdown Soundsystem (RIP).
You have done tracks with Chali 2na, what was he like to work with?
Always good vibes, constant laughs and quick delivery. Dope individual!
You are coming out to Australia, what do you know about it? What about music wise?
To be honest not a lot, but I have a clue about its colonial origins and its dealings with the native folks. The obvious flora and fauna especially after having visited for the first time this year. I know Australia has its own live funk thing with bands like Cookin On 3 Burners and The Bamboos. I have been aware of pop bands for many years like The Church, and I like Nick Cave. I just saw that movie he was involved with called The Proposition, which I liked very much and gave some colour to history of the early settler days of Australia. Although they are New Zealanders, Crowded House was a band that I liked and incidentally I met the bass player Nick after a show in Dublin, Ireland, a few years ago, where he proceeded to suggest that I should take the same concept we were doing live of playing a non stop funky/breaks set and instead of playing covers make it all original tracks. While we have been playing a good many of the new original tracks in the mix of the new set I don’ think I’ll ever do strictly all original tracks. It feels good keeping some of those lost grooves alive onstage for folks hearing them sometimes for the first time. However, thanks to Nick for the encouragement. Ha!
Breakestra tour Australia this month with Choklat on vocals, supported by Freddie Cruger/Red Astaire:
Wed Nov 15th – Brisbane, The Columbian
Thu Nov 16th – Melbourne, The Espy
Fri Nov 17th – Sydney, The Forum
Sat Nov 18th – Perth, The Bakery
Sun Nov 19th – Adelaide, Rocket
