In 2016, The MK Groove Orchestra was the house band for 9 epic movie themed dance parties thrown at The Mckittrick Hotel, home of the long running immersive theater production Sleep No More, billed as “Supercinema.” The venue was converted to the landscape of the movie and the MKGO was the house band at these parties, performing MKʼs original arrangements of music from, and inspired by, the chosen film theme for the venueʼs revelers.
Jabberwockie was written for the Alice in Wonderland Supercinema, and was chosen to be presented at this auspicious time to commemorate 15 years of the MK Groove Orchestra as a stand alone track as it represents the highest degree of artistry the band can execute and present at this time for the greatest impact.
Give The Drummer Some
We are humbled and honored to be announce that the great Mike Clark has joined the Ropeadope family of artists. His father was a railroad man and Mike picked up a great understanding of different musical styles around the country while riding the rails. From Herbie Hancock's Headhunters to a long list of the greats, Mike Clark shows how it's done both on the drums and as a Jazzman. Hip, positive, and adventurous at 70, Mike met up with his longtime friend Delbert Bump and together they tracked an album of Hammond based grooves - Retro Report, bringing in young Elias Lucero to rip it up on guitar with some horn touches from Vince Denham and Rob Dixon. This is your Father's Jazz, your Sister's Jazz, your long lost Uncle Benny's Jazz, and your Grandson's Jazz. That is to say it crosses the span of time with a master's flick of the wrist. Retro Report hits on April 6 - stay tuned for this and more news from Mr. Clark.
Great Peacock
On a busy day in New York City I got a call from Andrew Nelson of Great Peacock, asking if we could meet for a bit while they were traveling to their gig in Brooklyn. The only way the timing could work was if they met me in front of the Blue Note, and he agreed. Of course, the Nashville van wouldn’t fit in the parking garage so I just jumped in the van and got to know the band while driving around the west village looking for a spot. And so it was set, Ropeadope would release the next Great Peacock record. A beautiful collection of songs crafted by Andrew Nelson and Blount Floyd, recorded as a band with little studio tinkering. Gran Pavo Real captures a band in a room, playing great songs. And that’s rock and roll.
The John L. Nelson Project
It is with distinct pleasure that we announce the release of The John L. Nelson Project - Don't Play With Love. The long anticipated album was in discussion between Nelson and his eldest daughter Sharon many years ago, before Prince Rogers Nelson changed the world of music. Shelved as John L. Nelson frequently collaborated with Prince, the project re-appeared in serendipitous fashion: the sheet music falling out of a cabinet as Sharon Nelson was organizing (yes, just like the movie). Sharon brought the great Louis Hayes (Prince's cousin) to Paisley Park with his seasoned band - including Richard Germanson, Dezron Douglas, Vincent Herring, and Jeremy Pelt - and they laid down seven tracks live.
The intense history paints the picture, yet the players and the melodies let the music jump right off the canvas. Don't Play With Love is a journey from the past to the present - we get the sense of an earlier time yet we feel all of the human emotion that rings true for eternity.
‘Our dad was a loving, caring, hardworking father and a prolific jazz musician most notably known as the father of the musical genius, our brother Prince. Our dad wrote and composed many songs, but they were never recorded until now. He was Prince’s musical inspiration, and this project is very special because it was recorded in Paisley Park and guided by the spirits of my father and brother Prince. (Sharon L. Nelson)