I had originally planned to go see the Funk bands Clones of Funk and Midnight Star perform at Fort Dupont Park.
However, I changed my plans when I saw on Mambo Sauce's myspace site that they were playing tonight in 2 shows.
Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180
I learned from my prior attendance of a show at Jammin' Java with Mambo Sauce opening up for SOJA to buy my ticket in advance. Mambo Sauce's website listed the start time as 8 PM and since they sometimes start early, I arrived at about 7:40.
The only person I recognized was Red, their manager. However, B (formerly Solace) of Submission Band was also there.
I immediately noticed they had a different female singer. Red told me after the set her name is Yendy Brown, a former backup singer for Aaliyah. He said that Thi Lai had strained her vocal cords. Red also told me that Yendy's first show with Mambo Sauce was the Friday performance only in front of the judges, so this was really her first performance with the band.
The audience was mostly white, high school and college age. However, there were some middle age people and even some kids.
B (in the audience), Pep, Drew, Chris (behind Drew), Black Boo, Barry, Yendy
Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Barry, Yendy
Pep, Drew, Chris, Black Boo, Barry, Yendy, Khari
They started at 8:15 PM.
Black Boo said, "Are you ready for some Mambo Sauce? I put it on everything, even the napkins"
1) Instrumental jam
2) Black Boo-led Things Will Get Better - Black Boo said "a setback is before a come back", Black Boo said, "If you're already down, you can't go down no more"
Black Boo said, "This is dedicated to the single mothers out there, who's a single mother?" Black Boo said, "Who was raised by a single mother? I listen to the radio all I hear is "Bitches and Hoes"
3) Black Boo-led Sweet Baby - Black Boo asked during the song "Who are the single mothers?" again and a guy raised his hand, Black Boo responded, "I know you ain't a single mother. Raised by one..."
4) Yendy-led No - this song was new to me, they had cranked from beginning, but the cadence kept rising, Black Boo said, "You partying out there? You like that GoGo sound?" / percussion solo -->
5) Yendy-led Fairweather -->
6) Damn Joe (intro) - Black Boo said, "How many people here already know this song? Call 93.9 and 95.5 and request it" / Black Boo-led Damn Joe
7) Guitar driven instrumental - Black Boo said, "We're Mambo Sauce and we're found at every carryout in the DC area. Let me introduce one of the baddest bands in the area" / Black Boo-led sung intro - the crank continued to rise (up to the peak of the set) / Percussion solo - punctuated by a Barry drum solo
8) Black Boo-led Cool Points - Black Boo went into the audience and danced with a female fan
9) Black Boo-led Longtime Comin' - nice power chords by Drew, it became laid back, Black Boo said, "Can I see hands in the air?", he, Yendy and fans put their hands in the air, Pep jumped around, the music went back to crankin', I noticed a guy from SOJA, Ryan Berty, playing the timbales and cymbals from the side of the stage
Ryan Berty of SOJA, Pep, Drew (The fan with his back to the camera was the guy who raised his hand that he's "a single mother")
Black Boo said, "In DC, we don't let anyone tell us... I love the Wizards, the Mystics... The one thing in DC, I don't like is Bush" - there was applause
10) Yendy-led Go - it cranked, the crowd really got into it
Black Boo said, "Let me hear you say Mambo... Sauce... Let me hear you say GoGo... Music..."
11) Drew & Barry outtro
Black Boo said, "Get ready for SOJA. Thanks for the love."
I talked with Red, then decided to go home before going to J's Sports Cafe for their late show.
