Boozing Wizards - Redtenbacher's Funkestra | CD | Debut Album (1996)

Product notes

BOOZING WIZARDS — WHERE THE FUNKESTRA STORY BEGAN Boozing Wizards (Searching for the Stone of Funk) is Stefan Redtenbacher’s first album, recorded in spring 1996 at Third Dimension Studios in Winthrop, just outside Boston. Made during Stefan’s time at Berklee College of Music, the album brings together Berklee professors, fellow students and friends from Austria. Led from the bass, it features Hammond organ, guitars, drums, vocals, programmed textures and a substantial horn and woodwind section. LISTEN TO BOOZING WIZARDS Boozing Wizards (Searching For The Stone Of Funk) 1996 by Funkestra The recording captures the earliest stage of Stefan’s musical world: an international group of players working across groove-led instrumental music, arranged horns, improvisation and studio colour. Many of the elements that would later define Redtenbacher’s Funkestra are already present, including bass-centred writing, jazz harmony, detailed ensemble arrangements and a collaborative approach shaped by the individual character of the musicians. Alongside later cornerstone albums such as Dr Hypenstein, The Hang and FUNKOPIA, Boozing Wizards offers something different: the opportunity to hear the musical language at its starting point, before three decades of recordings, touring and international collaborations refined the idea. It is both an album and an origin document—the point at which a recent Austrian Berklee graduate began turning a collection of original compositions and musical friendships into Redtenbacher’s Funkestra. The Stone of Funk may never have been formally located. The search, however, proved reasonably productive. PERSONNEL Stefan Redtenbacher — bass, bandleader and producerDave Limina — Hammond organ and keyboardsLarry Finn — drumsNeal Itzler — guitarJunauro Landgrebe — guitar; rhythm guitar on track 4, solo on track 5, melody on tracks 5 and 8Thomas Feurer — alto saxophoneRobert Friedl — tenor saxophoneSebastian Grimus — flute and clarinetNichol Thomson — tromboneWolfgang Haeuptli — trumpetDan Pratt — baritone saxophone and bass clarinetMichaells “Michelito” Fana — vocalsJustin Mullens — trumpet; melody on track 3 and solo on track 8Herwig Maurer — programming and sound effects PRODUCTION CREDITS All songs composed, arranged and produced by Stefan Redtenbacher, except “Love, Love, Love,” written by Bailey/Williams. Vocal arrangement for “Love, Love, Love” by Michaells Fana. Recorded and mixed by Mike Gatzios at Third Dimension Studios, Boston, Massachusetts, in April and May 1996. Mastered by Bernie “Big B” Auer at Big Apple Studios. Graphic design by R. D. Brough.Illustration by Peter Tronolone.Photography by Guenther Standl. Physical CD edition available from RSB Records.