The Musical Bean: Elephant Proof || Crooked Coast || Malabar

Welcome back and Happy New Year my fellow dancing beans! Now that winter break has passed and traffic is back in the fast lane, prepare for plenty of reviews heading your way! The Musical Bean is prepared for all the grooves that 2014 has to offer and simply cannot WAIT to begin sharing them with you.

Last night I challenged the winter chill and went down to Club Church to see their funk/soul/reggae Wednesday’s hosted by Eight Foot Elephant. On the bill was opener Malabar, Crooked Coast, and new bi-weekly residence holders, Elephant Proof. Sadly the draw last night was not suitable for the talent on stage. Most people probably ordered greasy takeout from their beds and watched a movie, BUT NOT I. I braved the weather and had my funk loving veins pulsing with tunes.

Opener was the seven piece reggae-soul group Malabar. Composed of multi vocalists, guitar, keys, bass, drums, and a feisty horn section (sax, trombone, and trumpet), Malabar’s fire burnt for all to see. Originally from New York and now holding down frequent residencies across Boston at venues like The Middle East and Darryl’s Corner Bar, Malabar sprinkles their island beats like fairy dust for all to enjoy. Upbeat, spicy, and soul food for your dancing shoes, Malabar kicked of the night on the right foot.

Next on stage were Cape Cod natives, Crooked Coast. The four piece indie-rock/reggae group brought their flavor to the club. With subtle influences of Slightly Stoopid and The Clash, Crooked Coast added a rock vibe to the night.

Headliner Elephant Proof closed down the house with a solid set. The Boston local band demonstrated their extreme versatility as a funk jam group. Composed of; super tight drummer Ben Atkind, jazz orientated and funk gushing bassist Shon Gordon, groove pushing keys player Chris Enright, and dance the night away guitarist Sean Cronin, I pulled my two steppin’ action out of the bag for the night. With evident influences from Phish, Umphrey’s McGee, Daft Punk, Led Zeppelin, James Brown and more, Elephant Proof had enough groove to make rocks move. Alongside their fat and funky originals, the electro soul crew tastefully teased the crowd with popular covers, including a well-delivered instrumental cover of Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song. A stellar group with limitless potential ahead of them in the scene, Elephant Proof will be holding down a bi-weekly residency at Club Church for the time being. I HIGHLY recommend to all my fellow funk/jam/dirty beat loving show-goers to head out to one of their upcoming shows and taste them for your self. Not only are they cool as cabbage on stage, these boys also know how to hang like orangutans outside the spotlight.