Episode 301: PBS #269.5 BUMP SCHOOL LIVE: ERYKAH BADU, THE ISLEY BROTHERS, TWEET, & AUGUST GREENE (Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins)

A Bump School BackStory - A Common Thread

Welcome to this special edition of PSYCHOTIC BUMP SCHOOL's LIVE funk and soul musical escapade—a deeply personal sonic expedition threading ancestral echoes, cultural legacy, and unforgettable performances. These sets aren’t just recordings—they’re living testaments to the moments that made me fall in love with music, each artist forming a vital strand in the Common Thread that weaves through my personal soundscape, across geography, memory, and soul.

No group has shaped my musical worldview more than The Isley Brothers. During their legendary 3 + 3 era—when Ernie and Marvin Isley along with brother-in-law Chris Jasper (rest in peace) joined their big brothers O’Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald, they became a creative powerhouse. Writing, producing, and performing their own material, they blended funk, rock, and soul into a timeless eargasmic sound-piece. I once saw them at The Beverly Theater in West L.A., where Ernie, my all-time favorite guitarist, played with both precision and passion—his solos part anthem, part sermon. A later acoustic clip here reveals a softer, more intimate side of his artistry.

It’s widely known that Jimi Hendrix spent time with the Isley Brothers early in his career—even living in their home for a period, jamming on the family’s living room couch while a young Ernie looked on. Therefore, the most jaw-dropping Isley moment I’ve ever witnessed came around 1990 during a rare Ernie Isley solo show. Mid-set, he picked up a left-handed guitar—despite being right-handed—and played it with flawless soul and dexterity. A whispered legend among die-hard fans, and I saw it firsthand! A deeply rare, fleeting moment of brilliance—a glimpse into the sacred lineage from Hendrix to Isley, from couch jam sessions to stages lit by legend.

Now to Black Kennedy by August Greene—a powerful one-off collaboration between Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, and Samora Pinderhughes (not pictured). I’ve seen Common live more than any other MC. His tribute to Dilla and Karriem (or “Reem”) on this track struck a chord. I once met Karriem at L.A.’s Do-Over party. Despite sharing stages with giants, he remembered my name and greeted me with the warmth, humility & respect of someone deeply rooted in Detroit’s rich musical tradition-from the "D" to L.A. With the spirits of the late Dilla and Amp Fiddler in the mix, this set carries a joy that’s truly uncommon.  Lastly, Samora’s understated vocals may seem minimal at first, but their honesty and simplicity carry quiet strength.

Then there's Tweet—with a capital “T.” I’ve admired her for years & once spoke with her briefly after an interview with her guitarist Charlie Bereal. That moment truly stuck with me. Seeing her live revealed a whole new & surprising dimension: gritty, sultry, and unexpectedly fierce. Think Betty Davis meets Tina Turner—cheetah-smooth with gospel heat. A revelation!

And finally, Erykah Badu—the high priestess of soul and queen of the unexpected. I once opened for her on New Year’s Eve at the House of Blues but missed her set. This 2025 performance in her hometown of Dallas recorded during Black Music Month, felt like a gift. I reshaped it a bit—trimming the interludes to highlight her explosive musical energy. Funk, soul, jazz & hip-hop all converge in a set that proves, once again, that Badu doesn’t just perform—she transmits. Beam her up!

These are the moments that make live music sacred. Not just entertainment, but communion. Each set here reflects the throughline in my life—A Common Thread. I’m grateful to share it with you.