Do you know who Dennis Coffey is? If you don’t you should start with the mix below: Constellations – The A to Z of Dennis Coffey: A Mix by House Shoes will break it down for you. Coffey’s new self-titled album is being released by Strut Records on April 26th.
Coffey has played on and written some of the most incredible guitar riffs in the history of soul and R&B. As a member of the legendary Funk Brothers the guy was one of the hardest working studio players in the biz. “Cloud Nine,” “Ball of Confusion” and “Psychedelic Shack” by The Temptations? Yep, that’s him. “Band of Gold” by Freda Payne and “War” by Edwin Starr? He played on them. That incredible guitar riff on “It’s A Shame” by The Spinners? Coffey. I can go on and on, but where there was ever funk and wah-wah and psychedelic soul in the mix, Coffey was behind the sound. And you all got to know his big instrumental hit “Scorpio” (below)? Sure you do; it’s has been sampled by dozens of hip-hoppers (think LL’s “Jinglin’ Baby”) over the years.
According to his web site “Dennis is going to be all over Austin in March during SXSW. He’ll be playing two shows with his band, both on Saturday, March 19. The first is a party at Hotel San Jose with Black Angels and Black Joe Lewis. Dennis is scheduled to perform at 6:30 PM. The second is a showcase later that night at Beauty Bar…set time is Midnight.”
So, if you don’t know the man’s work, listen below. This is one funky mix…
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