#ryder henry

[mylovaboxa]

Behind the work

[happygoheidi]

Ryder Henry Diaspora, 2014

[happygoheidi]

Ryder Henry Diaspora, 2014

[groovemerchantdc-blog]

Monday mini-Mix: The Fantastic Epics

Besides having an awesome band name, The Fantastic Epics recorded some killer music out of Chicago in the late 60's. This (very) short mix starts with the spaced-out funk instrumental 'Fun & Funk Pt. II,' followed by the sauntering, eerily soulful ballad 'It Used To Be,' and finishes in a psychedelic haze with 'Fun & Funk Pt. III,' a rare track aptly described by one reviewer as "stoner funk." We've put 2 versions available for stream or download on soundcloud, one is optimized for everyone listening on their laptop's speakers.

Fantastic Epics Mix - Regular Version

Fantastic Epics Mix - For Laptop Speakers

Tracklisting:

The Fantastic Epics - Fun & Funk Part II

Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics - It Used To Be

The Fantastic Epics - Fun & Funk Part III

Jimmy Burns is an R&B singer and guitarist who grew up in Mississippi but spent his formative years in Chicago, where he used to watch The Impressions (led by a young Curtis Mayfield) rehearse in a nearby park. He later toured the Midwest with his backing band, The Fantastic Epics, occasionally opening for Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, & The Yardbirds. Burns retired from touring in the late 70's to raise his 6 children, but revived his career in the mid 90's and continues to play shows today. Much less is known about his backing band, The Fantastic Epics, who released only one 45, both sides of which are presented here.