Chris Spano-drums, Chris Arenas-bass, Matt Fleming-keyboards,
Tony Jurado-saxophones, Lexxx Luthor, Mic Blake (Alphabet Soup)
and Soulati (Felonious)-vocals
SF N'Beat with Raw Deluxe featuring Too Short
Influences
Everything in this world is influential in our music and in our lives. We take every positive aspect, and reshape it into our creative vision. All music is influential to us. There are 7 band members, and everyone has a different idea and motivation that comes together to be molded into beauty.
Sounds Like
"San Francisco’s Raw Deluxe is ready to challenge any band claiming to be heir apparent to the title of America’s premier live hip-hop act. Since the Roots made their move to “Late Night,” the throne has been vacated, and the Bay Area seven-piece is determined to claim their rightful place in the music kingdom. Boasting one of hip-hop’s tightest rhythm sections, Raw Deluxe makes the rhymes of their three fearsome MCs come alive through the sounds of funky, organic instrumentation. Keyboards, drums, bass, and saxophone coalesce to provide a head-bobbing musical backdrop for Lexxx Luthor, Mic Blake, and Soulati to impart their wisdom in the form of smooth flows."
Since 1998, Raw Deluxe has performed their high-energy show for audiences both nationally and internationally. The group's exciting live act stems from their well-crafted songs and strong improvisational skills.
The band formed when bassist, Chris Arenas, and drummer, Chris Spano, began performing with keyboardist, Matt Fleming. The trio enlisted DJ M3, the well-noted San Francisco house/hip-hop DJ, and a host of Bay Area horn players. Throughout the late nineties, the group infiltrated the Bay Area's acid-jazz and hip-hop circuits, performing at parties such as Toph One’s, "The Funkside," and Mr. Brown’s, "Elephunk" and "Double Trouble". Raw Deluxe soon made their first trip to Europe, performing throughout the Eastern part of the continent during the summer of 1999.
In 2000, Raw Deluxe was voted "Best Jazz Band" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s, "Best of the Bay". The band was also nominated for 2001 Best Music Act, on citysearch.com, along side artists such as Green Day, Boz Scaggs, and Vinyl, where they were noted as "One of the best original acts currently in the Bay Area." The group was then nominated for the 2002 SF Weekly Music Awards, "Best Soul / Blues / Funk" category.
The critically acclaimed EP, "Back to the Jungle," was released by the band on the Reel Deal Music label in 2001. XLR8R magazine noted the CD as "Killer jazz-funk from this San Francisco outfit, complete with horns, wailing keys and tight rhythm. They've been quietly winning loyal fans for the past few years, and with these six original tracks it's easy to see why. Check 'em out." The single "Get Some" was also featured on the Subkoncious Records compilation, "Elephunk / Live-N-Direct" that year as well.
In October 2005, the band released their follow up album "Back By Popular Demand". During the course of the recording the band enlisted guest MCees Lexxx Luthor, CB, and Mic Blake of the seminal jazz / hip-hop group Alphbet Soup. By the release of the album the MCees became offical members of Raw Deluxe. Today band is comprised of Chris Spano - drums, Chris Arenas - bass, Matt Fleming - electric piano/organ, Tony Jurado - saxophone and features MCees Lexxx Luthor, Mic Blake and Soulati of Felonious. The group continues to maintain a busy schedule between time in the studio and performing with acts such as Digital Underground, Too Short, Olu Dara, and The Breakestra.
On March 6, 2009 at San Francisco's Elbo Room, Raw Deluxe released their third album "Raw Communication" to a packed house. The East Bay Express review of the album said "Blending live hip-hop (drums, bass, keys, and sax) with Jurassic 5-style group raps (Lexx Luthor, MicBlake, and Soulati trade freely), Raw Deluxe delivers an exuberant hybrid of jazz, funk, and hip-hop."
Raw Communication Produced by Raw Deluxe & Gilad Gershoni
WE BE COMING YO WAY!
thursday, dec 3--Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe's Alley
friday, dec 4--San Francisco, CA @ the Independent
saturday, dec 5--Sabastopol, CA @ HopMonk tavern
hope to see you at one or all of them!!!
yeah you right
