Vibe
Syndicate is an
original 6-piece band from Madison, Wisconsin whose sound
incorporates elements of funk, soul, r&b, jazz and
hip-hop. Influenced by everything from James Brown to Miles
Davis, the band features Carolynn Black on vocals and the
occasional tambourine, Jon Hoel on saxophone and flute,
Wade Alters on keys, Todd Thomas on guitar, John Mesoloras
on bass, and Aaron Streicher on drums. Their combined
experience and musical knowledge is clearly evident in
their electrifying stage performances. A typical set at a
Vibe Syndicate show is heavy on the original tunes with
some choice covers from artists like Stevie Wonder, Curtis
Mayfield, and west coast funk band Breakestra, to name just
a few.
Released in October 2007, their deubt cd
“Check
Yourself,” flows
from one style to the next, wrapping political verses and
lusty come-ons around funky grooves and sultry beats. The
title track rants against an insensitive lover, while the
calypso flavored “Give me more” pleads for,
well, more. Ms. Black’s lyrics are often inspired by
her experiences living in New York, including “Can
you believe?” which recounts 9/11 as seen from her
Brooklyn backyard.
Voted Best New Band in 2007 by Isthmus readers in the
Annual Manual, Vibe Syndicate has also been nominated for
Madison Area Music Awards (MAMA) in 2007, 2005 and 2004.