Sean Rigs - Guitar, Vocals, Songs
Vince Wylie - Vocals/Songwriter
Ryan Meals - Guitar
Anthony Pecora - Bass
David Jamison - Drums
Scott Jamison - Percussion / Vocals
also in the Hustler community:
Reggie Watkins - Trombone / Horn Arrangements
Howie Alexander - Keys
Shaun Bell - Trumpet
Greg Barbone - Keys / Production
Jeremy McDonald - Bass
Kevin Barefoot - Bass
Margot B. - Vocals
Gene Stovall - Vocals
Rick Matt - Saxophones
Darnell Anderson - Tenor Sax
Ryan Gillian - Engineering wizard
The Meters, Bill Withers, Soulive, Tower of Power, John Scofield, MMW, Jimi Hendrix, Neville Bros., De la Soul, Marcus Miller, Erykah Badu, Spearhead, many more.
Positive examples of humanity.
Sounds Like
.... you can find out ....
OkayPlayer.com
The Boogie Hustlers
True Colors
n/a; 2007
To be funky, to be soulful, to be jazzy: The Boogie Hustlers want to be all of these things and more, and have proven themselves many times on the live circuit in the last few years. Anytime there is a discussion about "genuine bands" playing "real" music, The Boogie Hustlers are often mentioned, but do they quality? Are they exceptional, and for the most part, do they know how to burn a groove? It depends on what you feel the exception is, but as they show on True Colors, they definitely come shining through.
The musicians in The Boogie Hustlers are not only tight as a band, but have performed with the likes of Erykah Badu, The Temptations, David “Fuse” Fiuczynski, Roy Ayers, Chaka Khan, and many others. What you hear on this album are musicians who can read each other, know how to fill the gaps when needed and know when to entice with space within the music. Fluidity is key. Those who enjoy Anthony Hamilton’s style of southern soul will enjoy “Don’t Stop Believin’”, although for something along the lines of mid-70’s Ramsey Lewis or Stanley Clarke, there are tracks like “Why?” and “Confusion” that keeps the love light shining at all hours of the day. Within the soothing funk they will have someone drop a rhyme or two, going into that type of acid jazz that made bands like Groove Collective mandatory listening, but it’s not just funk for funk’s sake. These are well constructed songs that are not only perfect for late night grooving, but also for radio airplay. Oh yeah I forgot, radio isn’t cool anymore, but if there was a way to make it cool again, The Boogie Hustlers would be the ones to put into rotation on a regular basis. Not sure if modern radio is ready for actual musicianship, but there’s always hope.
One could easily compare them with artists such as Bullfrog, Brad, Maktub, Dwele, and Honeycut, and that’s fine. But what The Boogie Hustlers have to offer is their own stew, their own recipe with their own spices and special ingredients. All of these artists share a love for creating great music and catering to the inner muse that makes them tingle in order for each other to musically mingue. They are called The Boogie Hustlers for a reason: to provide sounds that may push people to boogie (in the truest sense), and to make the kind of good music that can be as addicting as a good buzz. There are a few songs where I wished they would have gone to the point of no return, but I have a funny feeling they have secret seasonings reserved for the live experience. Bring a bowl, hot sauce, and perhaps a scoop of rice, the Boogie is steaming hot and ready for aural consumption.
Want to get involved in the record making process? Click here to donate to the group's current EP or LP projects. All donations will go to the recording/mixing/printing/and distribution of the EP. Just like that and you are a record producer. Patrons donating $100+ will receive special mention in the liner notes.
To Purchase 'The Boogie Hustlers - True Colors' using PayPal, click below
"[this] horn-powered, funk-fortified outfit mixes a little hip-hop influence into its groove-oriented, dance-heavy sound...Even if you can't shake your hips worth a nickel you may leap onto the dance floor when Boogie Hustlers start rolling" --Dave Richards --Erie Times-News
More from the Tribune-Review: Funk-soul: Turning over new leaf
Call 2007 a year of transition for the Boogie Hustlers.
They changed vocalists, adding the versatile Margot B. to the lineup. They released a second album, "True Colors," that is one of the better funk/soul albums by a local band in recent years. And they've become a steady presence at local clubs and events.
The Boogie Hustlers close out the year with a 8:30 p.m. show Saturdayat Club Cafe, South Side. Also on the bill are CK9 and the Old E Allstars, and Jasper Lewis.
Regis Behe from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote a little piece on the new album. Here it is: CD reviews:
Boogie Hustlers' show vibrant 'Colors'
Sunday, November 18, 2007
'True Colors'
Boogie Hustlers
Three stars
"True Colors" is the work of a band ascendant; musicians schooled in funk, hip hop and R&B, but good enough to put their own mark on the music. The Pittsburgh-based outfit has an inherent playfulness that comes through in "adidas" and "Don't Stop Believin'," but they are best when they stretch out, allowing the music taking unexpected turns and twists.
"The Promise" kicks in with a horn chart worthy of Tower of Power, then settles into an intoxicating, dreamy flow that sounds like a funkified Steely Dan. A layer of synthesizers introduces "Freedom," then gives way to a Snoop Dogg/Dr. Dre sound. "Whenever Wherever Pt. 1" sounds like a cut from a John Legend session, and "Warm Breeze" despite a silly vocal intro, finds the Hustlers traipsing between Parliament/Funkadelic and Miles Davis.
The Boogie Hustlers perform Wednesday at the Thunderbird Cafe in Lawrenceville and Saturday at the Warehouse Cafe in Bethel Park. --Regis Behe
Aaron Jentzen of the Pittsburgh City Paper calls the new record "smooth and soulful"
"Pittsburgh's premier soul/funk band" - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rooted in the heavy pocket grooves of funky soul and jazz artists of past and present, the Boogie Hustlers collective began piecing itself together in 2003. Creating original music in the vein of their funk-forefathers the band started a forward-thinking musical evolution. Drawing from numerous styles including Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, Fusion, and time-tested Pop music, The Boogie Hustlers are four years deep into a journey of expanding musical horizons. Their mission: to bring positivity and spirituality back into the live music scene and onto the radio.
On stage and on record what comes across is the honesty and passion of the players involved. The vision of bandleader and founding member Sean Rig is evident in every carefully orchestrated note and lyric on the album "122 Ellsworth," the group's debut release. Released in January 2006 the album quickly garnered critical acclaim beyond just the Pittsburgh music scene. Making it into high rotation airplay at WYEP-FM brought the Hustlers a new fanbase. Making it onto the reputable radio station's year-end top 50 Albums list gave the band an added boost and made their selection by Leeway's Homegrown Music Network as the Best New Band of 2006 that much sweeter. The Boogie Hustlers' realm of touring options began to open up.
The Hustlers' live shows are where they really shine. Connecting to the audience with tight horns, crushing drums, super-funky guitars, badass bass, and two engaging vocalists of differing styles, the positivity they've made their mission comes out in full-on uplifting r&b/soul swing. The Boogie Hustlers are equally adept at soaring funky instrumentals, and have played venues on the soul, jam, jazz, and funk scenes all over the eastern half of the country. Vermont to Georgia, North Carolina to Illinois, New York City to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between fans that have been touched by the band's positive dance music, in turn, make it worthwhile for this rotating cast of musicians to spread the love in greater swaths of the country.
On vocals, lyrics, and guitars Sean Rig represents the lower register of the Boogie Hustlers voice. Vince Wylie, also on vocals and lyrics, is the group's natural frontman, cruising the stage and singing soul-style. David Chapman Jamison rocks the drums, holding down the beat so strong it compels people to their feet. The other half of the super-funky guitars mentioned earlier, Ryan Meals, keeps the music steady and soulful day in, day out.
Past performances with Soulive, Gov't Mule, Brazilian Girls, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Vince Welnick, Jerry Garcia Band, Oteil Burbridge, Tea Leaf Green, Lotus, DJ Williams Projekt, Poogie Bell Band, the legendary guitarist Melvin Sparks, The 10th Annual All Good Festival, The 8th Annual GratefulFest, Zen Tricksters, The Bridge, The Jarflys (Jimmie's Chicken Shack), ekoostik hookah, Donnie Iris and many more have showcased the band's talent. Now, let them perform for you.
2006 New Band of the Year Award Recipients: The Boogie Hustlers
"The band's focus on the many aspects of soul music helps them make their compositions as infectious and memorable as any classic. This is one of the best funk and groove albums we've heard this year!" -Leeway's Homegrown Music Network. 2006 New Band of the Year Award Recipients: The Boogie Hustlers
Hey The Boogie Hustlers!!!!!!!WUUUUUUZZZZZZZ UUUUPPPP!!!!!!! It is sooooooo wonderful it is to have you in our family!!!!! We wanted to tell you how much your love means to us!!!!!! Keep spreading positive vibrations!!!WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!
Howdy fellas!! I am totally stoked to see that you will be playing Camp Barefoot 3!! We went to CB2 and had an awesome time. Will you all be staying for the weekend?? See you guys soon! Melissa
The show saturday was, as usual, amazing! I get totally lost in the music everytime! Your quote is dead on...I was going to say that your music is truely food for the soul!! Keep up the great work & I can't wait for the new album! :)
Hey guys! First time hearing you last night and we loved it! Your sound is fantastic! I just went and bought tons of your songs on itunes. Can't wait for the next show...hope you schedule some more in Pittsburgh through the winter. Just one question...we really liked a song that you played and I think it was called "drive" or something like that. Is there anywhere we can buy it?