BUSAN, Korea - It has long been cliche that the younger generation detests the music of the older generation and vice-versa. But the current generation, perhaps drowned in soul-less pop, have turned to their parent’s old cuts for good sounds.
Hardly a popular hip hop or pop tune out there that isn’t bagging it’s groove from the 70’s or 80’s. Even Korea’s, Girls Generation, who were accused of biting on Rhianna’s “Shut up and Drive,” with their song “Oh!” come to find that Rhianna actually ripped her melody from 80’s band, New Order, and their tune “Blue.”
Retro is where it’s at, baby.
That might well explain the popularity of Better Magic Music Company’s “Funked up & Souled Out” events at Vinyl in Kyungsung. This Saturday look for belle bottoms, afros, and jerry curls for the second edition of one of Busan’s grooviest summer dance parties full of nostalgic hits from a time when artists like Kool & The Gang, Chic, The Jackson Five, Rick James, The Isley Brothers, and of course, James Brown, made their fame.
“Funked Up Volume 1 was one of my favorite parties of the year,” says Kyle Breedyk, who came to the first edition dressed in a vintage 70’s powder blue suit, complete with belle bottoms, a vest, and an afro wig to boot. “I’m looking forward to rocking my suit down that soul train once again.”
The winter edition in January at the Vinyl Underground, was an event truly unique for Busan. One of the main features was the Soul Train Line, where the audience splits to either side of the room, allowing individual or paired dancers to take to the floor to strut their stuff down the ‘Soul Train.’ Like the long running TV show hosted by Don Cornelius, it was a dance floor hit.
For the summer edition Two of Seoul’s most versatile DJs, Oil Can Boyd and Nuphonique, will be performing alongside fellow Seoul MC Dbstk Crzzy, sure to keep the crowd up all night long. The Better Magic Music Co.’s team of DJs Split Kick, B.B. Gibbs, and Brucie Russell will also be filling the ears of dancers with retro funkified tunes. And for the eyes, VJ Vince McKelvie is ready to help stimulate the senses further with his exciting mix of live visual art, videos, and pictures from the golden age of all things funk.
With five DJs each looking to get hour long sets in and the soccer finals on at 3:30 am, get there early Saturday night to guarantee a real full Funked Up experience. There will be prizes awarded to the best dressed male and female. And of course, the Soul Train will be back in action, so get to practicing those moves!
Tickets are 10,000 at the door. Vinyl Underground is located near Kyungsung University subway station --just ask around or look for Andy Warhol’s yellow banana!
For more information, visit the Facebook event page here
And check out the pictures from Volume 1
