LIVE: Jocamo @ The Linda, 10/22/09

Subbing for the missing-in-action Matthew Loiacono, fabulous funkateers Jocamo took over the stage at The Linda in Albany on Thursday to support their new CD, “The New Funk Order.” (Read our CD review here.)

It was the free monthly CRUMBS Nite Out session, and Jocamo had a close-to-packed house cheering them on during their hour-long performance. Unlike the vast majority of Jocamo gigs, this one never turned into a sweaty, steamy dance party, and the audience remained enthusiastic, but seated throughout the show.

Jocamo was giving it their all, however. In fact, it wasn’t just Jocamo – it was the Jocamo Funk ‘n’ Soul Revue. It’s all about the groove with Jocamo, and the drums (John Lapi) and percussion (David Macejka) locked in with the guitars (Matt Hatfield, Marc Sullivan) and the churning keyboards of veteran Tony Perrino, while mighty bassist-vocalist Dave Macks kept it as soulful as can be at the microphone.

After announcing their mission statement with the opening volley of “The New Funk Order,” they band dug back in the repertoire for a pair of older nuggets from their 2001 album, “You Know That It’s True” – the title track and “Clean It Up.”

They upped the ante by adding a serious two-horn attack to the sound, as trombonist Brian Kaplan and super saxman Keith Pray lept onstage and blew away “It’s Afrolistic” and “Gonna Work This Time.”

But they took it up yet another notch when they brought soul queen Jill Hughes on stage for the old-school, disco-fied, get-down funk throwdown, “What Would Barry White Do?,” to wrap up the night. Hughes, who has just released her own fine CD (read our review here), went toe-to-toe with Macks, as the band – now nine pieces strong – dug into a deep-dish groove that left the audience craving for more.

To read Andrew Gregory’s review of the show, check out the CRUMBS blog.

JOCAMO SET LIST
The New Funk Order
Clean It Up
You Know That It’s True
It’s Afrolistic
Gonna Work This Time
What Would Barry White Do?