Leslie Gray Streeter

"Soulfull": Snapshots of Soul!

Between the review, the news story, and my previous blog, y'all have gotten the flavor of yesterday's Soulfull Saturday show. But let me lay some of the indivdual herbs and spices on ya:

- I had a chance to hang out with some of the guys from Politicks, a fabulous five-guy group from Northern Virginia/D.C. As much fun as their on-stage show was, they were even more fun kicking around the VIP tent. Lead singer Matthew Green has a singular signature dance move - bopping in a groovy circle, which he transposed from the stage to the tent. During Al Green's set, he could be seen shaking his head and going "That's what I'm talking about!" Little soul boys are so cute, especially when they're taking instruction from the master.

- The Roots. The Roots, The Roots were on fire! We don't need no water, let the...well, you know what I'm talking about. Philly is the center of the neo-soul movement, and The Roots are a huge part of that. I've always given them credit for helping bring rap to a new level, melding it with a full band, rather than just a DJ track.

Black Thought, righteously Afro'd ?uestlove and the rest of the Roots crew were in full effect on Saturday, starting with the explosive "Web." But the accessible grooving began even before their set. During DJ Irie's extended set while the Lauryn Hill thing got settled, Thought was walking around the VIP area, snapping photos with fans and chatting. He's one of those people that I'd always figured would be cool - I'd have been disappointed if he wasn't actually.

My favorite parts of their set were "Don't Feel Right," which samples the funky refrain of Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and "Mellow My Man," which channeled a beat poet finger-snapping vibe, like there should've been some guy with a beret and a turtleneck in the corner.

- The Reverend Al. The Memphis pastor/'70s-era love man came to show West Palm Beach a little love. And that love is all-inclusive, being about God, your fellow man, and the cutie sitting on your right.

"I love you too! I love you back! I love you more!" the sharply-dressed Green gushed to the crowd, most of whom stuck it out for the Reverend's set, which started around 11 p.m. He started with "Can't Stop," from that album that heralded his return to secular music. His set provided the link between the secular and the sacred - equal amounts of passion.

"We came all the way from Memphis, TN. They told us you were having a Saturday night fish fry," the Reverend cooed. (Side note: The organizers should totally have a fish fry next time. With hush puppies.)

There was an equal serving of gospel (a smooth "Amazing Grace"/"Nearer My God To Thee" medley) and groovin' (the righteous horns of "Here I Am", complete with dancers, and a medley of songs paying homage to the soul singers who Green says paved the way from him, from the Four Tops to The Temptations.)

"Give Marvin a hand!" Green shouted, after a silky "Let's Get It On." "Tell him the preacher said that was good stuff!"

One more thing: I was standing in the beer line with Miss Beth and some friends when we were approached by this very tall, very cute, very young guy. He didn't so much talk to us as much as danced to us - just moving to DJ Irie's beat, like his own "Showtime At The Apollo" routine.

He told me his name was Bill Simonet, and that he was a 23-year-old "dancer/commodities broker/massage therapist/attention grabber." And he wants to be famous. Doing what?

"Whatever it takes," he said. We thought he was cute but goofy. And he is. But we underestimated the determination of The Bill. Because about an hour later, we were chatting on the lawn and heard the crowd just freaking out. There, on the stage, doing his crazy breakdance freestyle hulabaloo, was Bill! He even danced with DJ Irie! It was about one minute of that 15 they say you get to be famous, but it was a humdinger.