Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $5/21+

http://www.myspace.com/eytanmusic

“My original dream had to do with the cheers concept of playing in a place ‘where everybody knows your name,’ following in the footsteps of my father, John “Cap” Tims, a local blues drummer/singer of Ground Floor Band. My dad has been singing in a band my whole life. I wanted that feeling that I got when I heard him on stage. And the feeling later when I heard the same song on the radio. My father has been to Saudie Arabia playing for American troops, and Europe on a band tour. He hasn’t made it “big” but he’s doing what he loves and he always will. That’s my dream.”

SoJourner Band came about because several local reggae bands are somewhat a la carte as are many other genres. But the difference with SoJourner is that it is led by a female vocalist who combines all the sounds of reggae music to provide a full show.

“It’s kind of like how Tina Turner says ‘sometimes we like it hard and sometimes we like it soft,’ in Proud Mary. This way you can hear some roots and dance hall. Both singing and deejaying. That’s how I like to get down.”

Doors 8pm / Show 9pm

$5 at the door

www.myspace.com/benyaro

Home is the feeling that bubbles up irrepressibly inside of you when you arrive exactly where you belong. Coincidentally, the feeling that you get when you listen to The Right Now is awfully similar.

The Right Now plays soul music, and soul music is all about feeling; not style, not fashion, but emotion. The band’s new album Carry Me Home, released on March 3, 2010, lives within the four walls erected by the arresting lead vocalist Stefanie Berecz, the stellar songcraft of Brendan O’Connell, the spot-on horns and layers of back-up vocals, and a solid bedrock of rhythm.

Stefanie Berecz’s voice is what takes the songs on Carry Me Home from infectious to revelatory. Nowhere is that more evident than on the album’s title track. Begun in a hushed, delicate tone, Berecz weaves a tender lullaby, gradually building in intensity but never mindlessly belting. The band matches her every step of the way. The Right Now is tighter than tight, at times functioning almost as a single instrument rather than a collection of players; never overplaying, always exerting effortless control over its dynamics.

This telepathic connection is the kind of chemistry that can only come from relentless gigging. The Right Now continually tours the country, converting listeners to a brand of R&B that is simultaneously classic and contemporary.

Case in point: “Ain’t Going Back.” Beginning with a deeply funky dialogue between two guitars that could have been on an early Parliament record, Berecz comes in with a blue note that is pure Chaka Khan. The restraint of the first verse gradually opens up into what can only be described as an anthem, with Berecz firmly in charge, giving back her wedding ring. The ingredients are classic. The result? Nothing but contemporary.

The music on Carry Me Home exudes confidence. One listen makes it clear that The Right Now is a band that knows exactly where its home is: onstage. Home is a feeling. And The Right Now brings that feeling to every show, in every venue, in every town they play.

And be sure to catch TRN on KSDK’s Show Me St. Louis on 4/8!

Doors at 8 p.m., show at 10 p.m. $5/21+

Local Funk/Jazz band SFive will be opening the show

www.therightnow.com

S Five Myspace

Join us and 88.1 KDHX in celebrating the 2 year anniversary of THE GRAMOPHONE!!! We are gonna get down and dirty with The Diplomats of Solid Sound plus JC Brooks and Uptown Sound

Since the release of their first 7-inch single, “Bullfrog Boogaloo,” in 2001, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have been mining America’s vast deposits of soul music to create a sound all their own — a spare-but-spicy groove sired equally by progenitors such as Booker T., James Brown and The Funk Brothers. Now, after three full-length releases as an instrumental outfit, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have expanded the family with a trio of sultry sirens who liked to be called the Diplomettes for a new set of soul stunners they like to call “The Diplomats of Solid Sound, Featuring The Diplomettes.”

The album is available on CD and for download from Record Kicks. This supercharged new set of prime cuts is a dance party in a jewel box, guaranteed to groove its way into your head and your body — and get both moving fast! Its sound is both new and old. Timeless. Soul. Full-length DOSS releases “Instrumental Action Soul” (2001, Prescription Records), “Let’s Cool One”(2003, Estrus Records) and “Destination … Get Down!” (2005, Estrus) captured the band in its natural habitat, a dimly lit bar where people appreciate a good smoke, a vodka gimlet and a funky little combo that knows how to get the cats and kittens out of their seats and onto the dance floor. The sound got the boys a gig backing R&B legend Andrew Williams, with whom they cut “Aphrodisiac.” It was released by Pravda Records and Spanish label Vampisoul in May 2006.

Born in the great melting pot of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood in 2007, guitarist Billy Bungeroth, drummer Kevin Marks, and bassist Ben Taylor (Beat Down Sound/September Sessions soundtrack) joined forces with the Lowdown Horns to lay a ferocious foundation for the soulful shouts of Mr. JC Brooks. The son of a Jersey funk diva set adrift by the disco era, he’s renowned for his take-no-prisoners stage style, leaving audiences with no other choice than to get up and move! JC Brooks is determined to become the next in a long line of classic Chicago Soul singers; Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Syl Johnson – JC has learned from them all, and he’s got no illusions about what it takes to become a classic.

Brooks & co. finished off 2009 with a bang, playing to ecstatic crowds throughout the Northeast as part of the Numero Group’s critically acclaimed Eccentric Soul Revue (called “dapper and potent” by the New York Times). They’ve collaborated with greats like Syl Johnson, Tortoise’s Dan Bitney, Renaldo Domino, and the Impressions’ Nate Evans. They’ve appeared on WGN-TV and BBC 6, cut a live session for influential indie radio station WFMU, racked up rave reviews throughout Europe, and been featured in the Chicago Tribune, TimeOut New York & Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Following up their explosive debut Beat of Our Own Drum (Vampisoul/Rabbit Factory) with the relentlessly funky new Get It Together single (featuring a stomping cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”) and a full slate of North American and European dates, these intense young soul stirrers are bringing it to your door, ready to tour, score, and not be ignored.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are for the people remaining awake through a great revolution… for people who want to move and not just sit tight… for soul people! Guaranteed to make you dance by any means necessary, JC Brooks is the new sound of Chicago.

The Diplomats of Solid Sound MySpace
JC Brooks and Uptown Sound Myspace

Doors at 8 p.m.
Show at 10 p.m.
$8/21+

Everett Thomas CD is the early show
Doors 7pm
Show 8pm
$5 at the door

Nneka schedule update (2/13 at 1:45 p.m.): Nneka will be taking the stage at 10 p.m. Come early so you don’t miss it!

Born in Nigeria, Nneka relocated some 10,000 miles to Hamburg, Germany, at the age of nineteen to pursue a career in singing along side a degree in Anthropology. Having landed in the German port, the singer hooked up with DJ and Hip-Hop beatmaker DJ Farhot and ever since, their strong musical relationship has been the backbone of Nneka’s success. Her influences reflect her younger days in Nigeria as well as her time in the Western world. The distance she has travels shines through in her voice as does her diverse musical influences. She cites famous compatriot Fela Kuti and legend Bob Marley as well as contemporary rappers Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Mobb Deep and Lauryn Hill as key influences in her pursuit of musical recognition.

After finishing her debut EP “The Uncomfortable Truth” she toured Europe, commencing a long live schedule, performing to up to 6000 people at her later gigs, this young talent supported the likes of Femi Kuti, Seeed, Sean Paul and Gnarls Barkley. Performing all over Europe, from her adopted hometown of Hamburg to Holloway Prison in London.   Opening the show will be St. Louis’ own rapper, producer and all around nice guy Black Spade

Nneka Myspace

Black Spade Myspace

Doors at 8pm
Show at 10pm
$8 ADV / $10 at the door

PLEASE NOTE: Advance tickets are no longer available for Nneka as of 1 p.m. on 2/13. Please purchase your tickets at the door for $10, cash only.

JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound Myspace

Indiana’s Freddie T and The People will open the show

Freddie T and The People Myspace

Doors at 8pm
Show at 9pm
$5 at the door

Doors at 8 p.m., show at 10 p.m.

$5/21+

www.myspace.com/therightnowmusic

The Diplomettes bring the sound of The Ikettes, the Raylettes, maybe a little funky Marva Whitney. Now imagine the girls kicking up the perfect soul storm in front of the DOSS’ trademark heavy funk artillery. The band polished this new act on a tour of Italy in Summer 2007, then went into Iowa’s City’s Minstrel Studio to lay down their new soul ravers. It was produced by the band with help from Justin Kennedy and John Svec, and mixed in the UK by Adam Gibbons (a.k.a. Lack of Afro). The group has shared stages with Sharon Jones, Robert Walter, Wilco, The New Mastersounds and The James Taylor Quartet and toured in Italy, France and Spain. DOSS tracks have been played on the John Peel Show and The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Show on The BBC, and have served as soundtrack music for many televsion progams, including "Reaper" (WB Network), "Breaking Bonaduce" (VH1), "Made" (MTV), "My Super Sweet 16" (MTV), "The Osbournes" (MTV), "Parental Control" (MTV), "Punk’D" (MTV), "Room Raiders" (MTV), "Cathouse" (HBO), and "Sons Of Hollywood" (A&E). The show begins at 10 p.m. and costs $5 at the door. To check them out in advance, visit their MySpace .