Show Review

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe came to Portland’s own Roseland Theater to bring some funk to the party once again. This time he brought along some talented friends; the African Showboyz. The last time the Universe graced the Portland stage, they were joined with the hard rocking Stockholm Syndrome, which in all honesty was a very odd pairing, but this time the acts seemed to much better compliment each other.

For this night’s show both bands played a single set, about an hour for the Showboyz and two for the Universe, and the crowd was fired up and dancing throughout the night. Even though the crowd was a little scarce during the Showboyz set, the energy was not. They are an entertaining act, who combines rhythmic layering, interesting and unique instrumentation, with a little magic.

This was a reunion of sorts from the collaborative effort seen at the High Sierra Music Festival, where the Showboyz joined the Tiny Universe for a few songs during the Sunday night closing set. Tonight’s show featured some cross collaboration in each of the band’s respective set. Karl Denson joined the Showboyz set for the last fifteen minutes of their set to add his sax prowess to the mix. It was a powerful combination of the Showboyz percussion driven jams, with Karl adding his delicate sax-cents to the overall sound.

K.D.T.U’s set was as danceable and enjoyable as always, but this show didn’t take the funk to the depths that I’ve become accustomed to. By no means am I saying the show didn’t keep me satisfied, because any K.D.T.U. show is a musical party that I want to be a part of. But after seeing some Universe shows that rocked me to my core, I would say that this show was solid, but not ground breaking.

However that is not to say that there weren’t memorable moments throughout the show. Drummer John Staten did take an amazing solo that was quite mesmerizing. He always seems to play with such a positive energy that it is hard to not like the music he is producing. Brian Jordan shined on his guitar as always, and Karl was the man in the forefront that commands an audience’s attention. The set concluded with a slightly slower version of the fan favorite "Satisfied" that anchored the end of the two-hour set.

During the encore the African Showboyz returned Karl’s earlier collaborative favor by joining the Tiny Universe for a particular drum heavy version of "Elephants are Big as Hell," or as it is more simply known, "Elephants," which was written in honor of Fela Kuti. The Showboyz were no longer adorning in their traditional garb, but the authentic rhythmic sound was there, and it was thick.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will always be one of my favorite acts to get my groove on to, and even during an average Universe show, booties will be shaking and the music will be funking. I just hope the next time the Universe comes to town; we get them for a little longer and a little later, because as they proved time and time again they are the kings of the late night funk party.