Music
Press
Hailing from a little place in Colorado known as Gunnison, Mama's Cookin' brings a barrage of world funk and blues to dance floors around the U.S. Providing a "get up and dance" vibe and an excuse to let loose, these guys are worthy of every accolade that comes with the role of being the "pied pipers of soul." These players are totally pro--while they sample diverse genres with a blink of an eye, their sound is tight and precise. Mama's Cookin' has mastered a whole songbook of recipes that allows them to serve up five star meals night after night. They have renewed and brought forth a refreshing taste of what has drawn people to music since the beginning of time. All you need is a pair of ears and some dancing shoes to bare witness to the start of a new revolution of old school funk and blues. This is the genuine thing. The members of Mama's Cookin' are gifted musicians who cultivate an animated atmosphere, leaving in their wake an exodus of fans who want them to encore all night long.
- Jambase
I remember clearly being blown away by their style, musicianship, original tunes, and youth. I spent most of the show drop jawed and speechless. What makes this band exceptional to watch and listen to can only be described as a universal energy that demanded they play music together. Although he wouldn't boast about it himself, Zeb's (lead singer) voice drips like honey, infused with a southern charm that makes some women swoon. In a day when so many bands sound the same, play the same riffs, break out into long jams that seem to exist merely to fill a void in the set, Mama's Cookin' turns out an array of original sounds that are unique to this band. Be sure to check out Mama's Cookin' live...guaranteed to satisfy your appetite for rockin' rhythm and blues and funk! - CB Weekly
Like an old family recipe, the band’s dishes have morphed from predominantly funky blues – based on guitarist and vocalist Zeb Early’s childhood days in the Mississippi Delta – to a mixture of hip-hop and jazz, with a dash of (World) rhythms. - Summit Daily News
On their new CD "Let the Record Ride," their third recording and second studio creation, it's impossible to categorize Mama's Cookin'. The CD opens with "The Call," a mix of Early's Delta slide guitar, driving rhythms, and hip-hop-influenced vocals. The title track and "Just Cruise" have soul-jazz grooves that split the difference old-school (say, the Meters) and new (G. Love maybe). Elsewhere there are further nods to the past (Steely Dan, P-Funk) and the recent (samples, synthesizers, rap). And the title itself - combined with the cover art of a very retro-looking turntable - hints at the throwback elements of the band's sound. - Aspen Times
In 2004, Mama’s Cookin is a lot more than what you’ll be enjoying at Christmas dinner. Another great band emerging from the mountains of Colorado, Mama’s Cookin is an incredible musical gift for the entire world. The group is great at controlling the crowd and providing an experience that not only starts off wonderfully, but continues to grow better and groovier until the dance floor is near busting at the seams. There is nothing lacking from what this band brings to the table and I would urge everyone out there to check these guys out next time you see their name in a line-up or on your local marquee, because it is always going to be a guaranteed good time and a memorable event. - Jammed Online
Discography
House of Good Spirits: full length LP
Let the Record Ride: full length LP
Mama's Cookin' (self titled): full length LP
Photos
Bio
Once in a great while, you get turned on to a band that sounds genuinely unique -- one that has taken tips from history's best bands while creating a sound all their own.
Mama's Cookin', lead by singer/songwriter/guitarist Zebuel Early, is a band that has been inspired musically by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Booker T & the MG's, Howlin' Wolf and Kool and the Gang. Zeb's songs are lyrically reminiscent of artists like Jamiroquai, The Digable Planets, Bob Marley, Michael Franti and Ben Harper.
Comprised of four talented musicians from all over the US, the members of Mama's Cookin' have different influences and styles that meld together like hot chrome. From Zeb's West Memphis delta roots to Mike's mix of Morristown, NJ jazz and hip-hop, their sounds are as distinct as they are one. The end result is a sort of spirit-charged neo-blues.
The group originally met up through a jazz program at the Colorado College they attended, and in the past six years have become a national touring force to be reckoned with.
Their music is tough to classify. Delta blues, soul and rock & roll meshed with nuances of hip-hop and dub. The sound they create is hypnotic and ever evolving. The lyrics are poetically forward, rhythmic and conscious. The band's aim is to craft words that lift listeners and music that keeps them moving.
Members of The Cookin' have played with musicians such as Derek Trucks, JoJo Herman of Widespread Panic, Brian Jordan and John Staton of Karl Densons Tiny Universe, JJ Grey of MOFRO, DJ Logic, Corey Harris, Eric Lindale, John Popper, Fred Wesley, Bill McKay of Leftover Salmon and The Derek Trucks Band, Mars Williams of Liquid Soul, Rob Wasserman of Ratdog, Tony Furtado, The Samples, Willie Waldman, Terry Safold from Isaac Hayes' band and Cecil P-nut Daniels.
They have also shared the stage with groups and artists such as George Porter Jr. and Brian Stolz of the Funky Meters, Matt Abts of Govt. Mule, Johnny Neal of the Allman Brothers, Ozomatli, Col. Bruce Hampton and The Code Talkers, Jerry Joseph and the Jack Mormons, Leftover Salmon, The Big Wu, Tea Leaf Green, Hairy Apes BMX, Robert Walter and the 20TH CONGRESS and Greyboy Allstars, Julien Marley, Eric McFadden of P-FUNK and Stockholm Syndrome, Starr Cullars from Prince's band and P-Funk, ?uest Love of The Roots, The Rebirth Brass Band, Mofro, Cabaret Diosa, Papa Grows Funk, The Motet, members of the band moe., and GARAJ MAHAL .
Mama's Cookin' has played in venues such as the legendary New Daisy Theater - Memphis, TN; The Fox - Boulder, CO; Studio Z - San Francisco, CA; Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, The Bluebird Theater, and Quixotes True Blue - Denver, CO; The Georgia Theater in Athens, GA; Tabacco Road - Miami, FL; George's Majestic - Fayettville, AR.
They also play the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, The Abbey Theater in Durango, CO and the Telluride Opera House, and have played the Telluride Town Park where The Blues and Brews Festival and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival takes place anually.
The band's charismatic ringleader, Zebuel Early, captures the crowd with his gritty funk/blues guitar and vocals, reminiscent of an old southern bluesman. Born in Memphis and raised in the Delta, Mr. Early is steeped in sound of the south. He was brought up on 70's era artists such as Steely Dan, Stephen Stills and the like. Zeb's ability to write intriguing lyrics is matched by his ability to improv and freestyle lyrics on the spot. He is a spirited person and an entertaining performer. Zeb was the former host of The 5 Gallon Bucket of Blues show on KBUT Radio.
Todd Holway has played the piano since the age of 5, studying classical and jazz. He was an instrumental leader of the Western State College of Colorado Jazz program, and has won numerous awards ranging from the Damson Award, and accolades from the Greeley Jazz festival. The kid's from Alaska but the milk man must have been from New Orleans.
Steven LaBella, the group's bassist, is a well rounded concrete player with roots and experience in the funk, jazz, blues, and rock genres. He played in several groups and ensembles on the east coast before moving to Colorado. He joined the Cookin' in the fall of 2000.
Mike Adamo's drumming combines elements of jazz and hip hop. He started up playing big band jazz in New Jersey as a kid and has since received accolades for solo performance at the Greeley Jazz festival. Mike is very influenced by the beats of hip hop music. The drummers most influential for him are Questlove of the Roots, David Garibaldi of Tower of Power, and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
Mama's Cookin' is a synthesis of different styles and attitudes that create an energetic and funky atmosphere that most folks seem to just eat up.
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