Portland's Morrison Bridge, lit up in honor of the late, great Prince.
April Baer / OPB
Too soon! Too soon! What are we doing here again, eulogizing one of our musical icons? And yet, there it was: Thursday’s news about the death of Prince.
This man meant so much to dancers, deviants and DJs.
XRAY-FM radio host and DJ for Lifesavas Rev Shines started us down the path. He's scheduled to work at a Three Kings night next month, featuring the music of Prince alongside Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. He says it’s going to be nuts.
"It’s making me do my homework," Rev told us. "I grabbed everything I could find."
Rev Shines ministers to the bereaved, at a Thursday night set.
April Baer / OPB
As Portland's Hollywood Theatre gears up for a Thursday showing of "Purple Rain," and Voodoo Doughnuts cranks out a line of purple-frosted, raspberry-filled donuts in honor of the late, genre-busting genius, we went out to talk to two guys carrying the funk forward: Trumpet guru Farnell Newton and funk bandleader Tony Ozier.
They joined forces two years ago as the record label FN Beats Galore. Their celebrated lineup, Othership Connection, had a big gig opening for George Clinton this month. And they join in the global remembrance of Prince.
“It’s a part of the lineage of the music that we play," said Farnell.
Trumpeter Farnell Newton and producer/songwriter/bandleader Tony Ozier have been playing together for years, and merged their record labels two years ago to form FN Beats Galore.
Courtesy of FN Beats Galore
We chatted them up about what Prince meant to funk, and what's new with FN Beats. They're hatching plans for a festival of black music this fall — something they promise will showcase Portland's best. Take a listen.
