SWEATER FUNK CREW :: CHICAGO

Sweater Funk is coming to Chicago and we're throwing a Friday night dance party at The Empty Bottle!

We'll be bringin' dance-floor rocking boogie all night long just like we do every week in San Francisco. Sweater Funk Boogie, Steppers and Modern Soul all on original vinyl, including the tracks that you won't hear anywhere else...Lotti G., Casual-T, McIver, Karl Frierson, Kloud 9, Nightwind, Dogg Master, Quietfire, Cool Million & K-Maxx!

San Francisco's Sweater Funk DJ crew have been SF's most dedicated purveyors of the funky subgenre known as BOOGIE since 2008. Their vision to bring boogie, strictly on vinyl originals, to the masses has earned them a diehard following who pack the basement of San Francisco's Li Po Lounge every Sunday for the last 4 + years. They've won SF Weekly's Best new club 2009, and have hosted artists & Djs such as Dam-Funk, Daz-I-Kue, DJ Spinna, Mayer Hawthorne, Peanut Butter Wolf, Kon & Amir, Onra, Benedek, Monk One, Cool Chris, Opolopo & Amalia.

Chicago, we love you and we can't wait to share our music with you!

Tickets Here

Sweater Funk Soundcloud

SF WEEKLY :: SWEATER FUNK LOVE

Sweater Funk
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
Feb 26, 2012
Better than: Whatever else you were doing last night.

SF Weekly - For many, weekend nightlife ends on Sunday morning. Not so for the dedicated crowd that frequents long-running Sunday night boogie party Sweater Funk. Like a secret nightcap to the weekend's festivities, it's the place to go if you've got a little more dance left in you before Monday hits. Located at Li Po Cocktail lounge, the party has attracted a family of devoted dancers and DJs in its nearly four-year run. Last night's party was no different, as West Coast pop-lockers and vinyl obsessives crowded in the basement to celebrate the birth of locally curated music blog Beat Electric's new record label with the release of its official re-issue of Carmen's "Time to Move."
Chinatown on a Sunday evening is a desolate scene. The streets are empty, the stores shuttered, and the only thing warding off silence is the ghostly hum of sirens and automobiles. Amidst this quiet backdrop stands the loud facade of the Li Po Lounge. A giant glowing red neon sign beckons wanderers to the bar's cavelike entrance. There, two cement dragon statues keep a watchful eye, creating an overall ambiance not far removed from a strangely inviting Temple of Doom. The Orientalist facade extends into the exotically appointed interior with ornate Chinese lanterns, gold-embroidered everything, and a massive shrine to the Earth Buddha.





Squeeze past a battery of touchscreens, descend a two-flight staircase, and walk down a long black corridor, and you'll find yourself immersed in the Li Po's dungeon-like bowels. A discotheque decorated with Space Mountain in mind, there's only one thing that pops out at you: it's dark. The room's constellations and star patterns come courtesy of a scattered buckshot of laser beams and thin rope lighting that the DJs pump to the beat like a strobe light.




Sound for the party is provided by two refrigerator-sized speaker stacks that sound good and punchy in a way similar to Mighty's RLA installation. The music that Sweater Funk specializes in is called boogie. A narrow genre, it refers to the danceable R&B records that began hitting shelves in the later disco years and into the early-to-mid '80s -- think D-Train and George Benson, but slower and more rare. That last point -- rarity -- is the one to stress: Sweater Funk is an all-vinyl party, and the music on offer can be rare and expensive to extreme degrees. It's one of the best parties to visit if you're looking to hear amazing music that you've never heard before.


The dancefloor at Sweaterfunk is always moving. When I arrived downstairs, a circle of breakdancers had already commandeered the back of the room for a session of intense downrocking. In front, the less hardcore crowded around the speakers dancing in couples or bobbing their heads as wallflowers. It was packed, but not too packed that it ever felt uncomfortable.

Beat Electric was already in full swing when I arrived. Taking turns, they played back to back sets of three records each. First up was newest Beat Electric member Ben Johnson, who spun a set of deep cuts on 7" leading off with Together's "You're Just Teasing Me." Up next was Joel Brut, who moved closer to underground disco with Five Special's "Why Leave Us Alone" before surprising everyone with Reese & Santonio's "Rock to the Beat." Black Shag brought it back with a smooth blend into Zena Dejonay's "I've Got to Find a Way." And, finally, BT Magnum jumped in the DJ booth to play the aforementioned "Time to Move" repress.
Not all the mixes were razor sharp, but it was never an issue that anybody seemed to care about. Instead, there was a loose and freewheeling feeling that settled in early on. This might be the best part about Sweater Funk. It's a party that puts the music first, but never forgets that it's a party.

There's a reciprocal relationship between the DJs and the dancers. Often the dancers walk right behind the DJ booth to ask about a record or talk with someone they know. On the other side of that coin, the DJs themselves can often be seen running out onto the dancefloor to get a little time in before changing the record. This intangible vibe is a detail that might go unnoticed, but it allows for the uniquely social atmosphere that makes Sweater Funk such a good night out. It's the kind of place you want to keep returning to every weekend, no matter how bad it might make your Monday.

NIGHTWIND :: SWEATER FUNK RECORDS :: SOUNDBOUTIQUE

Sweater Funk Sounds Presents, our first vinyl 7" record, featuring NightWind... Check back for release updates happening real soon. Until then, enjoy NightWind!

BUSY ASS WEEKEND!!!

Man, I'm in for a long weekend... I've been staying real busy with gigs / side projects lately, my schedule has been hectic. No time for rest, I can rest later.

This weekend I got you covered from Oldies to Funk starting this Friday 5-20-11 for Haight & Soul Happy Hour with "French Connection" Sabrina (Sweater Funk) & David Rozelle.

Info below, pick and choose events. Myron & E at Sweater Funk performing live, The Souleros & Soul Strivers playing rare soul.... Pictures next week.



This Friday MAY 20th, 2011:


This weeks Guest:

...THE FRENCH CONNECTION:
Showing us how the French get down...

-SABRINA (sweater funk)
-DAVID ROZELLE

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Join us at the only bar in the Upper Haight offering up top shelf tunes EVERY Friday! Come catch up with friends for a post work day drink, sit back, relax and unwind in a friendly social setting. Guests DJ's every week from some of our favorite crews in the world! Quality music with loads of soul, always.

Residents:

VINYLRICHIE
Hear The Sounds / Sweater Funk Crew

GUILLERMO
Gostosa / Sweater Funk Crew


FUTURE GUEST DJ'S
-May 20 - Sabrina
-May 27 - Slopoke Rawdriguez


SPECIAL EVENT:
-June 24th - Joe Bataan, Meet & Greet


always surprise guests!

+ Sweater Funk DJ's:

~~~~

drink specials
$4 cocktails $4 draft beers

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Milk Bar (SF)
Free
1840 Haight Street
(Directly across from Amoeba Records)
5:30pm- 10pm

Bus Lines - 7, 71, 6, 33, N Judah Train
Free parking on meters after 6pm

Pick up a pizza at Escape From New York and bring that bad boy in.

www.milksf.com
www.hearthesounds.com




Friday MAY 20th, 2011


This weeks Guest:

...Come say "Alrato Vato" to our good friend "Richard Gypsy Fernandez" and celebrate the birth of our favorite Homie - Jose "The Homeboy Mad" .

Sounds will be provided by San Francisco's - Sweater Funk DJ's, and San Jose DJ Crews - The Souleros and The Soul Strivers. Let's send Gypsy off proper with all of his friends and family. Not to Mention Jose Valle, the man who's in charge of the "Souleros Ball"

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Join us at the only bar in the Upper Haight offering up top shelf tunes EVERY Friday! Come catch up with friends for a post work day drink, sit back, relax and unwind in a friendly social setting. Guests DJ's every week from some of our favorite crews in the world! Quality music with loads of soul, always.

~DJs~
*SWEATER FUNK DJ's
*ALLEN THAYER
~THE SOULEROS~
*SOULERA UNICA
*THE SOUL STRIVERS

SPINNING - FUNK / MODERN SOUL / SWEET SOUL / RARE OLDIES


~~~~

Milk Bar (SF)
Free
1840 Haight Street
(Directly across from Amoeba Records)
9:30pm- 2pm

Bus Lines - 7, 71, 6, 33, N Judah Train
Free parking on meters after 6pm

THIS IS FRIENDLY, FAMILY EVENT. NO SET TRIPPING...


www.milksf.com
www.hearthesounds.com





Saturday May 21 2011

SWEATER FUNK DJs CLOSE OUT NIGHT MARKET

OK, so if you've ever cornered any of the Sweater Funk crew and chatted us up, you know the conversation pretty much lingers around 2 topics: records and FOOD! So, yeah we're basically playing a very cool farmers market with a full bar and we're stoked! We'll be playing Sweater Funk approved boogie, modern soul and funk all night long!
...
SF Underground Market will be an all day event at Public Works this Saturday. Local food vendors will be slinging their wares all day long and into the night with Sweater Funk DJs running a dance party in the upstairs room. Get there early, stuff your face, stick around and dance your ass off!

With Sweater Funk DJs:

*GUILLERMO * MAMABEAR * VINYLRICHIE*

$5 cover

Market is all day 11 am til 11 pm, Sweater Funk DJs in the upstairs room at 10 PM.

~~~~~

HERE'S A SHORT LIST OF VENDORS FOR THE NIGHT MARKET:

Adobo – Chicken thigh & pork belly adobo

Gluttony Catering Co. – Duck Confit tacos & Veggie chips

BiBimBopBowl – Korean food

A Humble Plate – Laotian sausage sliders

Hella Vegan Eats –Rare vegan deliciousness

Halal Halal – NY Style Halal beef

Jerk. – Jerk Chicken

City Smoke House – Brisket & Pulled Pork Sliders

Nosh This – Bacon crack and other goodness

~~~~~

Plus lots more! Click here for full list of daytime and evening vendors:

SO MUCH GOOD FOOD CHECK THE MENU






SWEATER FUNK RETURNS IN MAY!

As we await the future of LiPo, we got records to play and folks who need their boogie & modern soul. Most of all, we miss hangin' with you and doin' what we do.

5/22 at THE KNOCKOUT with special SING JAY performance by MYRON & E...

ALL SHOWS ARE FREE!
9ish til 2 am

SWEATER FUNK IS BACK :: MAY SCHEDULE

SWEATER FUNK RETURNS IN MAY!!!

As we await the future of LiPo, we got records to play and folks who need their boogie & modern soul. Most of all, we miss hangin' with you and doin' what we do.

5/8 at MILK

5/15 at the KOCKOUT with special guests COOKIE CREW

5/22 at THE KNOCKOUT with special SING JAY performance by MYRON & E

5/29 Memorial Day Blowout at MILK: crew and a special guest.

Join us every Sunday in May and tell a friend!

ALL SHOWS ARE FREE!
9ish til 2 am

SWEATER FUNK FOR LIFE

SWEATER FUNK STEPS TWICE :: 2011

What is Two-Step Soul?

It is style of soul music initially popularized by UK reggae djs in the mid '70s as a change of pace to the all-night reggae sound system parties. The soul tracks selected tended to be mid-tempo and was differentiated from the uptempo driving disco style popular in most clubs at the time.The key to the genre was the short shuffle, swing or pause that created a cha-cha like rhythm.

By the early '80s the name Two-Step began to stick and certain djs made it their specialty. Many soul artists from the '70s until today have songs that have become Two-Step classics but the style is more about individual songs than any particular artists. A few tracks that many view as an essential examples of Two-Step are Natalie Cole's massive hit - "This Will Be" from 1975 or Luther Ingram's - "Do You Love Somebody" from 1978. More recently, R. Kelly's - "Step In The Name Of Love" is a contemporary Two-Step track that continues to light it up and has become an anthem for the genre.

Next time you listen to a New Jack Swing or J.Dilla track, that slight pause that "hooks you" is essentially a Two-Step beat with louder snare or bass. Whether uptempo or downtempo, Steppers have been keepin' the smooth groovers going for decades and at Sweaterfunk it's no different.

At Sweaterfunk, we love sharing our Two-Step Soul with you and every MLK Jr. Holiday Weekend 'til infinity we will showcase this style all night long! Hope you can join us!



-The Selecter Dj Kirk




MORE PICTURES FROM "SWEATER FUNK STEPS TWICE"

DAM FUNK :: SWEATER FUNK DJ's

We have lift off!!! Get ready to take flight to the land of FUNK and beyond. The Return of Dam Funk along side Sweater Funk DJ's Guillermo and FA is sure to take you on musical journey to new heights.

I'll be across town checking Danny Krivit. I've only seen him once and that was unforgettable. Both party's will be great, come out and get FUNKY!!!

ONRA & SWEATR FUNK PICTURES

What a great weekend!!! Friday's show with Onra & Buddy Sativa was a huge success. We look forward to bringing you quality events with today's top Modern Soul & Funk artists in the future.

I'm going to keep this short due to lack of sleep, but below is a link where you can see what you missed from Fridays show. I'll be posting the Pictures from SUNDAY in the next few days after I recover. ENJOY

ONRA & SWEATER FUNK PICTURES

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Thanks FA:

The Boogie Man Halloween Party
Sunday October 31, 2010
...
After a huge week that's seen us unveil the S-F Halloween logo (one day we'll do a free gig at that park called AT & T), host our first SWEATER FUNK PRESENTS event with Onra & Buddy Sativa from Paris, a new mix from Vinyl Richie & Freddy Anzures, plus two of our own on the upcoming Dam-Funk bill we finna lay you out with a heavy heavy night of strictly dancefloor heat to raise the dead and make them c-walk the earth.

The Sweater Funk Crew will be holding it down, getting funky and digging 6 feet deep into our crates for the creepy rares left in unmarked graves!

Every Sunday
Li Po Cocktails
916 Grant @ Washington
In S.F.'s purely evil China Town
Free
9 ish til 1:30

Check out Vinyl Richie's new modern boogie and soul mix, Take A Chance:

Check out F.A.'s Long Distance Relationship mix:

PICTURES FROM SWEATER FUNK 2 YEAR

I love this crew. Not going to say much except "The World will know about Sweater Funk" More pictures from our 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY HERE

DAZ-I-KUE >> REDBULL MUSIC ACADEMY >>> SWEATER FUNK

ITS OFFICIAL DAZ-I-KUE AND RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY HOSTING DAZ'S SET FROM SWEATER FUNK.. HOLY MOTHER OF PEARLS THIS IS BIG. CHECK THIS OUT WE ARE MAKING MARK IN THE WORLD


Moodymann (KDJ, Mahogani Music, Detroit)
Live from London - RBMA Rollerskating Jam - Pt 1
You can't kick this feeling when it hits! Rollerball enigma and silhouetted man-on-the-mic Kenny Dixon Jr. with the jams that make the jam. Vinyl only, please! Bounce, skate, roll!

Gabriel Roth (Daptone, Brooklyn, USA)
Fireside Chat - London Session
Soul flows freely from the pores of this man. The mathematics of funk, afrobeat, gospel-centric and most of all soul music explained by the Daptone's boss

Norman Jay (Good Times, London)
Fireside Chat - Good Times Special
These are the Good Times! Norman Jay's Notting Hill Carnival institution is the stuff of many legends. Our favourite MBE picks some of its classics.

MONK UNO ARRIVES TONITE AT SWEATER FUNK