Boogie in Brooklyn: Escort Brings ‘City Life’ to Elsewhere

May 7, 2019 by Azriel Wallace

The Crowd at Elsewhere / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Music lovers: Looking for some dance-friendly grooves to add to your playlist? Check out the super-funky group that goes by the name of Escort. This trio recently kicked off their City Life tour and, of course, Brooklyn was one of the first stops on the party train! The crowd was jamming as their ears were blessed with ALL types of soulful flavors.

Escort has a sound reminiscent of disco with a taste of New York radio from the 1980s and ’90s. Add a subtle pinch of House and Latin and you’ll definitely have a repeat of their April show at Elsewhere (music venue). You could tell that fans of this Brooklyn-based group came prepared as they all boogied from start to finish. Escort danced along, as both lead (Nicki B) and background vocalists shook it all over the stage. Eugene Cho beautifully graced us on the keyboard while Jason “JKriv” Kriveloff held it down on the bass.

Escort On Stage / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

The night started with a feel-good horn section that made sure to urgently grab the audience’s interest. Before you know it, Escort was paying homage to the freestyle classics including Crystal Water’s “Gypsy Woman.” This moment was a very authentic New York vibe as the spirit of vogue invaded the room. These party animals will be closing their tour at the Electric Forest Festival on June 28th in Rothbury, MI., so you just might be able to catch them. Just remember…if you attend an Escort show, these guys definitely know how to rock the house.

City Life Album Cover / courtesy of Girlie Action Media

The City Life

The group’s nine-track album consists of delightful goodies including their lead single, “City Life.” R&B sensation Fonda Rae also jumped in giving the tune a very classic vibe. Coming in at track number 5 is “One Draw,” a song aimed at reggae lovers. It is also dedicated to the all the herbalists who enjoy zoning out into another dimension. “Ride” is a smooth head-bopper that’ll make you sway from right to left as the flute takes you away. The album ends with a trance-like instrumental titled “Up For Dawn.” The tune is a cross between global and experimental. This outro truly takes the listener to a place of peaceful Zen. Overall, the album is ideal for anyone who enjoys a little of this and a bit of that.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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