Combine the danceable hardcore funk of Sly and the Family Stone and James Brown with the sultry soul of D’Angelo and Prince and you get Con Brio. The American band is living proof that this exhilarating music style can outlive every new movement, and last for generations. Although the sextet from San Francisco was formed only two years ago, they sound as if they’ve been performing on stage for decades. Con Brio plays exciting up-tempo funk with fiery guitar parts, driving horns, a tight rhythm section and, of course, that so very characteristic Hammond sound. All of this is passionately led by singer-guitarist Ziek McCarter whose soulful voice and dynamic stage performance in particular, rival that of stars like Pharrell Williams and Bruno Mars. Con Brio – the name is an Italian musical term that means ‘with lively spirit, vigor’ – released their debut EP Kiss The Sun last year. This exciting funk machine couldn’t have come up with a more fitting name for their band.
