Polyrhythmics

"Take a polished, modern brand of funk, flavor it with a little Afrobeat swagger and Latin rhythm, and inject a spirited, powerhouse horn section and you’ve got Polyrhythmics" - Bend Bulliten

Today we visit the Pacific Northwest by way of Calgary Alberta, Canada. It’s a well know fact that this area has put out some great music. A little known band called Nirvana, some guitar player named Jimi, Sir Mixalot, who brought his posse on Broadway with SWASS, one of the Kings of Diggin’ Supreme La Rock, and now in 2011: Polyrhythmics. It must be something in the water, because this eight piece outfit out of the Emerald City is on repeat at the moment. Don’t just take my word for it. Their first Ep, Indy received a massive amount of regional airplay, as well as propelling them through the festival and Rock club circuit of the Left Coast. Influenced by the greats of yesterday: James Brown and Fela Kuti, as well as modern giants such as the Budos Band and the Whitfield Brothers, Polyrhytmics are making their mark with own dance floor Afro Funk and Soul dubbed “Worldbeat Music”. Their well received full length, Labador, released in June 2011, has given birth to their first 45 release on Calgary’s Kept Records.

“The Imposter”, point blank, is a great side. Drawing from Afro Beat like Fela, (the horns, the percussion, organ and guitar), but injecting their own style to the side with a tinge of blaxploitation car chase guitar and a smoth bass line, this side is also the definition of funky. While the new Afro Beat movement was lead by bands like Antibalas and the Budos, in 2011, the new kid on the block is Polyrhythmics. There is always room for a band like this who pay tribute to the artist as well as the sound. With an “all live” in one room recording process, they not only keep it real but keep it fresh as well. Papa has got a brand new Afro Beat bag, and it’s name is Polyrhythmics. My bet is they will be opening their bag as they execute their “occupy dance floors movement” in a venue near you.

- Flea Market Funk - Dj Prestige

If you close your eyes real tight while listening to Polyrhythmics' first full-length, this June's Labrador, you can transport yourself to a world with more color, more spice and more soul––basically just an all-around better world—than the one you\\\'re living in. The eight-piece instrumental outfit from Seattle fuses Afrobeat, funk and soul in a big way. Horns and percussion howl throughout the album, creating a very funky, insanely danceable series of songs. The memorable percussion hook in the title track and the controlled chaos of the guitar-heavy "The Revenge of the Sneaky Spider" would make Fela Kuti proud.
- Willamette Week

Heavy and hypnotic rhythms, raw percussion, global jazz funk inspired horns, organ grooves and tasty guitars from Seattle's Polyrhythmics – a young group that to date has just an EP and this self-titled full length to their name – yet they sound like they could have decades of experience in far-reaching global funk! There's a rhythmic dexterity to their sound that's as solid as just about any contemporary combo of the kind we can think of. They didn't pick the band name out of a hat, that's for sure – but, we wouldn't short change the horn section or any other facet of the 8-piece group. There's a clear love of classic Afro Funk, but they don't set out to replicate that vibe. They use it as a spring board and work for and reach a timelessly effective groove . - Dusty Groove America

Labrador, the debut full-length album by Polyrhythmics will be released on June 1, 2011. Polyrhythmics recorded an EP in June 2010, and because of its dance beats and hooks, it is hardly surprising that the EP is now sold out. The goal of this Seattle funk band upon recording Labrador was to expand upon their unique sounds. The album was recorded at Sleng Teng Studios, known for its vintage sound, allowing Polyrhythmics to add even more originality and depth to Labrador. - Seattle Show Gal

Sometimes you need a lil’ something spicy that will give you a nice kick. Both the Jalapeno EVO IPA brew and Polyrhythmics can do this for you. The brew by Two Beers is something that was made specifically for today, and although I have yet to try it, I imagine it is quite the hot little number. IPAs are typically a hoppy beer and the regular Evo IPA is no different, coming in at 70 IBU’s (International Bitterness Unit.) Tiny minced jalapenos added into the brew batch adds quite the nice kick, kind of like the trombones that Polyrhythmics have. Polyrhythmics have been around town for awhile and continue to make incredible music that is easy to dance to. Their fanbase continues to grow, which it is easy to see why when you listen to their latest self-titled EP. Chill, reggae, world funk music that just dares people to not dance to it. Polyrhythmics new album Labrador will be out June 1. - Seattle Show Gal