Buffalo’s Funktional Flow is starting to gain momentum. The start of 2015 saw the band undergo line-up changes. By the end of the year, Flow (as they are simply called by their fans) was in the studio recording their latest release Time Will Tell. The band has just under six years in the city’s emerging jam scene, but they are a prominent force in Buffalo’s budding community. Time Will Tell is a reflection of that.
The band’s latest release is an amazing representation of what Funktional Flow has become known for in the Queen City – organic funk fusion. They create a swirling blend of funk rhythms laced with Americana. Hints of folk, rock and bluegrass pour from the guitar work of Jeffrey Kuebler and Joey Lewis. Matt Lester adds his own variety of swing style keys and saxophone jazz elements to the mix. Bassist Ben Whelan and drummer Jim Edgar head up the band’s moniker funk sound with a solid foundation of groove and drive.
Time Will Tell is Funktional Flow’s coming of age album. Recorded and produced at Sonic Farm Studios in Colden, NY, the album is a glimpse into a group of musicians with no restrictions on their artistry. The album is varied from personal and upbeat, to relaxed and driven. With producers Dan Brace, Scott Nadolinski and Nick Sonricker, Funktional Flow have created a recorded look into a sound that is distinctly their own.
Of the albums twelve tracks, “Back Door” is by far the most successful. It’s an earworm. The kind of song you want to listen to on repeat. It has the qualities of a song that gets people to listen to a band later simply because they want to hear “that” song again. With a catchy chorus and a definitive groove, “Back Door” may just be the song to launch Funktional Flow out of the Western New York scene.
“Strong Feeling” could be the album’s most overlooked track, with a 90’s fusion that playfully captures the best of the decade’s sounds of ska, jam and college rock.
Songs like “Moving On” and “Time Will Tell” are the true showcase pieces of the signature Flow sound. Thoughtful fusions of reggae, funk, and rock that feel like soundtracks for a day at the beach or an early summer drive with the windows down.
Funktional Flow isn’t afraid to go toward a more intimate place either. The album’s second single “On the Way” is a personal look at embracing life’s changes – a song written by Kuebler after learning he and his wife were expecting. And whereas a song of that style could lend itself to popish tendencies, there is a beautiful resolve to this tune that balances both the subject matter and the musical style.
The album concludes with an instrumental titled “Ben’s Beach”. Its may sound fairy tale inspired, but it’s the kind of song you might listen to while sitting on the coast line at night. There is a cool, calm variety of groove that at moments almost nods to fellow Buffalo groove rockers Aqueous’ in its spaciness and layered technical execution.
Musically, Flow is heading in the right direction. Vocally, there is room for growth. The bands two main vocalist, Kuebler and Lewis have very distinctive and different vocal styles. And generally on the album, you hear them separately. But if they can figure out a way to fuse their two styles and play more with harmonies and lyrical exchange, it could just be the extra “something” that makes Funktional Flow stand out.
Time Will Tell drops for official release on Saturday March 5. The band will be hosting a Roaring 20’s themed CD Release party at Buffalo Iron Works with special guests AjamajA. The CD will be available for purchase through Bandcamp.
- Kat Horton from NYS Music.
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Funktional Flow / Blog
"Time Will Tell" album review!
- Time Will Tell -
Summer seems to be the time when everyone looks for that song or album that they can blast out at the beach, the backyard pool party or cruising around town with the windows down. Well look no further than the latest release from Buffalo based band Funktional Flow and their album Time Will Tell. The twelve tracks are filled with roots rock, funky beats and island riddems that make you want to shake your hips and point your face to the sun. The band (Jeffrey Kuebler-guitar/vocals, Ben Whelen-bass, Joey Lewis-guitar/vocals, Matthew Lester-keys/vocals/sax and Jim Edgar-drums) recorded the album at Sonic Farms Studios in Colden, NY with Scott Nadolinski, Dan Brace and Nick Sonricker and produced it themselves. From a strictly music geek point of view this is a superbly done disc. Everything from the mix to the production and overall sound is astounding. And for the non music geeks who just want the music to move them or their feet, well you're in luck also. The album kicks off with the driving up tempo rocker "Back Door" followed by "Trouble" featuring some nice sax riffing from guest musician Matt Harris. Those one drop Reggae vibes shine on the tracks "Gone", "Dreidel", "Moving On" and the title track "Time Will Time" with its funky bass breakdown. Also of note is "Strong Feeling", "New Haven" and the twin guitar attack of "On The Way (Baby Song)". Time Will Tell is a great album from a very promising band so grab yourself a copy along with a cold beverage of your choice and enjoy the summer and the music. Funktional Flow has a busy national touring schedule as well as local dates sprinkled in. -Bob Silvestri (www.BestofWny.com) o find out where they are performing or to purchase Time Will Time visit www.funktionalflow.com or www.facebook.com/FunktionalFlowMusic
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"Time Will Tell" album review!
Buffalo’s Funktional Flow is starting to gain momentum. The start of 2015 saw the band undergo line-up changes. By the end of the year, Flow (as they are simply called by their fans) was in the studio recording their latest release Time Will Tell. The band has just under six years in the city’s emerging jam scene, but they are a prominent force in Buffalo’s budding community. Time Will Tell is a reflection of that.
The band’s latest release is an amazing representation of what Funktional Flow has become known for in the Queen City – organic funk fusion. They create a swirling blend of funk rhythms laced with Americana. Hints of folk, rock and bluegrass pour from the guitar work of Jeffrey Kuebler and Joey Lewis. Matt Lester adds his own variety of swing style keys and saxophone jazz elements to the mix. Bassist Ben Whelan and drummer Jim Edgar head up the band’s moniker funk sound with a solid foundation of groove and drive.
Time Will Tell is Funktional Flow’s coming of age album. Recorded and produced at Sonic Farm Studios in Colden, NY, the album is a glimpse into a group of musicians with no restrictions on their artistry. The album is varied from personal and upbeat, to relaxed and driven. With producers Dan Brace, Scott Nadolinski and Nick Sonricker, Funktional Flow have created a recorded look into a sound that is distinctly their own.
Of the albums twelve tracks, “Back Door” is by far the most successful. It’s an earworm. The kind of song you want to listen to on repeat. It has the qualities of a song that gets people to listen to a band later simply because they want to hear “that” song again. With a catchy chorus and a definitive groove, “Back Door” may just be the song to launch Funktional Flow out of the Western New York scene.
“Strong Feeling” could be the album’s most overlooked track, with a 90’s fusion that playfully captures the best of the decade’s sounds of ska, jam and college rock.
Songs like “Moving On” and “Time Will Tell” are the true showcase pieces of the signature Flow sound. Thoughtful fusions of reggae, funk, and rock that feel like soundtracks for a day at the beach or an early summer drive with the windows down.
Funktional Flow isn’t afraid to go toward a more intimate place either. The album’s second single “On the Way” is a personal look at embracing life’s changes – a song written by Kuebler after learning he and his wife were expecting. And whereas a song of that style could lend itself to popish tendencies, there is a beautiful resolve to this tune that balances both the subject matter and the musical style.
The album concludes with an instrumental titled “Ben’s Beach”. Its may sound fairy tale inspired, but it’s the kind of song you might listen to while sitting on the coast line at night. There is a cool, calm variety of groove that at moments almost nods to fellow Buffalo groove rockers Aqueous’ in its spaciness and layered technical execution.
Musically, Flow is heading in the right direction. Vocally, there is room for growth. The bands two main vocalist, Kuebler and Lewis have very distinctive and different vocal styles. And generally on the album, you hear them separately. But if they can figure out a way to fuse their two styles and play more with harmonies and lyrical exchange, it could just be the extra “something” that makes Funktional Flow stand out.
Time Will Tell drops for official release on Saturday March 5. The band will be hosting a Roaring 20’s themed CD Release party at Buffalo Iron Works with special guests AjamajA. The CD will be available for purchase through Bandcamp.
- Kat Horton from NYS Music.
Reply
Aqueous and Funktional Flow NYE show in Buffalo!
Ring in the New Year with Aqueous and Funktional Flow at Buffalo Iron Works in Downtown Buffalo, NY! December 31st! Order Pre-sale Tickets below. http://www.ticketfly.com/event/717765-aqueous-funktional-flow-buffalo/
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spring/summer dates and beyond
hello ff faithful w/some time off on the horizon we will be working hard getting new music done and ready for you! in the meantime we are adding dates everyday for our sping/summer tour! were really looking forward to hitting some new venues and some bigger shows! we will post a full list when everything is final so stay tuned we may just be in a city near you! next show is feb 25th at mojos in jamestown and then a local show from 8-11 at the sportsman tavern! for more dates and info check the website at www.funktionalflow.com. see you all soon!!
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funktional flow press
so we are in this months issues of upstate live and relix magazine! grab an upstate for free at an ff show near you!
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