Raw Deluxe featured on Parkmerced Cast 6
Synthesis.net presents the Parkmerced Cast; Featuring music from around the San Francisco Bay Area. This episode is hosted by the sexalicious Alisse, and features music from Raw Deluxe, This Time Next Year, and Bag of Toys.

Back By Popular Demand Record Release Party
Boom Boom Room, San Francisco Thursday
Shattuck Down Low, Berkeley CA Friday
Performances include:
Mike Marshall Listening Party
Plus many special guests from Alphabet Soup, Felonious, Shotgun Wedding Quartet, Funkanauts and Maverick.
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The Raw Deluxe crew has two hot shows during July in SF. Wednesday 7/7 at the Boom Boom Room, w/ Beatropolis and special guest MC Al Howard. Then Friday 7/9 at Great American with Olu Dara.
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RD bass player Chris Arenas to perform 2 shows at d.b.a. in New Orleans!
TUE 2/3 with the Crescent City Moving Co.
SAT 2/7 with Eric Lindell's band and guest guitarist Adam Levy.
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Raw Deluxe is recording tracks for their new album due out this Summer. The group laid down the first cuts with Bay Area rappers Lexxx Luthor and CB. Stay tuned...
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KKSF 103.7
Raw Deluxe and 29 other artists were chosen out of 200+ bands and musicians for the chance to be on the KKSF AIDS Sampler #14.
For the first time in 13 years of producing CD samplers for AIDS relief, KKSF invited local musicians to participate. All of the artists received ample air time along with their samples on the KKSF web site.
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Whether Raw Deluxe is in its free-flowing improvisational mode or working through the sweaty structures of its awe-inspiring catalog, the quintet is always a sure bet for a good time. With a musical history that stretches back to the Bay Area's late-'90s acid jazz and hip hop scene, the band has spent almost five years building a reputation for expert guitar work, energetic horns, and propulsive organ grooves.

Comprised of Chris Spano on drums, Chris Arenas on bass, Matt Fleming on the electric piano and organ, Tony Jurado on sax, and Jason Collins on guitar, Raw Deluxe released its acclaimed debut EP, Back to the Jungle, in 2001. XLR8R magazine promptly hailed the effort as "killer jazz-funk," and the band reeled in a host of awards that year. The six-song disc -- especially the awesome single "Get Some" -- whetted the appetites of many funk fans. Raw Deluxe intends to deliver its bootylicious follow-up sometime in 2003, after the group comes back from its current West Coast tour. Of course, the group may never return: Like true road warriors, Raw Deluxe has been gigging nonstop in support of Back to the Jungle. For this boombastically fun live band, the stage is a home away from home, especially when the ensemble's playing with such popular acts as Marginal Prophets, Boomshanka, Crown City Rockers (mission:), and the Breakestra.

Wherever Raw Deluxe is, it can always be counted on to cook up a savory mix of danceable tunes. If you like your funk steaming, try it Raw.
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You can tell through Matt Fleming's playing style that he has loaded up on the music of the masters of his instrument. He blazes on the organ ala Jimmy McGriff and Lonnie Smith, and gets that great feel on the Rhodes like Herbie Hancock did back in the 70's. Tony Jurado has a fantastic tone on the sax, blowing blistering solos and adding great dynamics to the groups sound. He also busted out an EWI, an electronic horn, getting sounds such as a clean jazz guitar similar to George Benson or some outer space Bernie Worrell moog sounds. And Jason Collins is a funk machine, holding down some extra funky rhythms and captivating the audience with his electrifying solos not to far off from Blackbird McNight or Micheal Hampton from P-Funk. RD played a tight 1:15 set, leaving the crowd wanting more.

By this time the club had filled up and the audience was primed and eagerly awaiting Boomshanka . The group took the stage just before midnight and were in great form. The group's mix of funk, r&b, rock and even jazz provides for a great "funk-n-roll" sound. The dance floor was packed once the band started to play, everybody was getting down. Wade Larson brought some tasty grooves on the organ and Rhodes. The horns, Caesar Mercado on tenor saxophone and Mike Pitre on trumpet, were out on top after a sound issue with their microphones. Mike Pitre is still a new member of the group but you wouldn't know it hearing how tight he and Caesar are. Sean Leahy was rocking out letting loose some great solos, not rushing anything and taking it for what it was worth. Ryan Smith was also on guitar and provided some great vocals later in the set on some of the Boomshanka classics. Mike Warrington grooves freely on his 5 string bass just as his rhythm section counter part, Spencer Raymond, does on drums. Spencer always has a look of joy on his face while playing, there's no question he's having a good time.

The group unloaded some of the crowds favorites as the night went on, playing some of their great originals such as "Chicken Finger" and "Medulla Oblongata" as well as a couple covers including a Jeff Beck tune. The dancing didn't stop once throughout the set, signifying the sign of a good show!

It was close to 2 am as the group played their encore. This was truly a great night of music, you could see in the faces of the crowd as the left the club that they got what they come for, Great Music!

Go to Jambase article
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XLR8R magazine noted Raw Deluxe’s album as "Killer jazz-funk from this San Francisco outfit, complete with horns, wailing keys and tight rhythm. They've been quietly winning loyal fans for the past few years, and it's easy to see why. Check 'em out."

Toph One, Lucky 13
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CitySearch.com
Music, Bars, and Nightlife
Best Local Music Act 2001

You voted, and we counted. See if your favorites are winners...
1 Green Day
2 Mother Hips
3 Raw Deluxe
4 Ledisi
5 Marcus Shelby
6 Kofy Brown
7 Vinyl
8 Quannum
9 Tainted Love
10 Boz Scaggs

read more...
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