You can now purchase the Album PJack A Tribute to Paul Jackson !!!
This album is in memory of Paul Jackson bass player extraordinare!!! Paul is the funkiest man on the planet!! I got the name of the album from what Paul called himself at one point. I met Paul when I was living in a place we called the “Hill”. It consisted of two houses, one a ranch style home and a hugh Victorian. It was enough space that it housed at least 35-40 musicians, actors, artists, and friends. Many lasting friendship came out of the “Hill”. Music was always heard 24/7 here. Paul would come around and stay for a week at a time and there would be 24hr music when he was around. I remember Paul singing “God Made Me Funky” for hours until it became ingrained in my head!! Mike Clark would also come around and join as well as many other astounding musicians, Bill Connors, Ron Stallings, and John Wilmeth to name a few. Bill, Ron and John lived on the “Hill”.
Paul joined a band I had later on for a short time. You can listen to a recording of the band called Kamikaze (Spirit of the Wind) here:
Kamikaze Berkeley Jazz Festival 1976
He then joined the Headhunters and the rest is history. Paul brought with him the Oaktown funk which he created, and was spread around the world.
1. PJ_PJack
PJack is a funky riff channeling Paul. It features Robbie Kwok – flugelhorn and Masaru Koga – Tenor sax.
2. Bumpin in the Morning
This is dedicated to Michele Obama. The phrase Bumpin in the Morning came from a Michele Obama documentary where she talking about the start of her day. She said she likes to do some bumpin in the morning to get her moving into the day.
Masaru Koga – Tenor sax and Philip Woo tear it up on the solos.
3. Funky Steppin
Was inspired by a groove that I hear some dancers dancing to on Youtube.
4. The Funk Doctor
When you need some Funk who do you call??? The Funk Doctor! Features none other than the Funk Doctor himself the Master synth wizard Phillip Woo!!
5. Jump Step
Jump Step was inspired when I was watching a running back make a jump step and completely leave the defender in the dust!
6. Sugar Funk
When you want to have a little more sugar on your funk, you call in Masaru Koga on Tenor sax and Philip Woo on B3!!!
7. Andouille
A funky bluesy riff that was inspired by the N’awins blues players. What do you think of when you think of Nola? Andouille! I need some red beans on the side with this too!!!
Musicians:
Masaru Koga – Suprano Sax and Tenor Sax
Robbie Kwok – Flugel Horn
Philip Woo – Keys
Makoto Horiuchi – Composition and arranging; Guitar; virtual instruments; Drums, Bass, Keys
Michael Ortega – All Things Digital
I would like to thank all the musicians, engineers, consultants whose shoulders I leaned on and who contributed immeasurably to this labor of love.
Here are some pictures of Paul with Kamikaze as well as other members of the band – Davoud Johnson, Russel Baba, Doug Santos, & Eiji Tsuchiya. Pictures © Bob Hsiang
Cover © Khristina Gonzales © Kultone Records All Rights Reserved