DOPE SAGITTARIUS
-The Band-
Luqman Brown: Lead Vox/ Guitar
Ernest D’Amaso: Bass/ Vox
Entrfied McCloud: Keys/ Vox
Asim Barns: Lead Guitar
Howard Alper: Drums
V Jeffery Smith: Tenor Sax
Paula Henderson: Bari Sax
FOR FANS OF: Gorillas, Mahavishu orchestra, Dead Prez, and Kendrick Lamar, The Veldt (For 'Definite Love': Vulfpeck, Bruno Mars, Louis Cole, Bobby Womack)
NYC-based rock-punk-funk fusion outfit Dope Sagittarius presents their 'Sacred Places' album, released on 12" vinyl via their own imprint Buddhabug Records. This collection presents a rich tapestry of funky grooves, thoughtful synths and rocking vocals, featuring contributions by such achieved artists as Ronny Drayton, Corey Glover, Mike Ladd, Marc Cary, Roy Radics, Mazz Swift and Micah Gaugh.
Dope Sagittarius is the brainchild of Harlem-based Luqman Brown, whose mother is a folk-singer-turned-teacher and father a well-known playwright. The independent spirit of art in his blood got amped up early upon seeing Funkadelic at the Apollo. By high school, he had joined his third band -- punk-funk outfit FunkFace, who first opened for 24-7 Spyz and soon Fishbone, slowly rising to prominence through hundreds of shows and three studio releases.
Earlier, Dope Sagittarius revealed alt pop jazz single 'Define Love'. In their music, Dope Sagittarius present an eclectic mix of avant-garde pop-rock and funk with an occasional dip into reggae and street, their unique sound influenced by Bobby Womack, George Clinton, David Lee Roth, The Bad Brains, Fishbone and Ronny Drayton.
While 'Sacred Places' was slated to release in 2017, Luqman suffered a stroke. Everything screeched to a halt as he learned to speak and walk again, followed by heart surgery in 2019. After continual recovery, he’s back with this album, as if he's never missed a beat.
"Being able to properly put this record out into the world means that I didn’t give up in the face of death. This album was supposed to be released in 2017, but I had a stroke as a result of severe complications with my heart. In 2019, I underwent heart surgery to place an LVAD in my heart to keep it pumping. The result of these health complications left me weak and without the breath to perform," says Luqman Brown.
"At the time, I thought that myself and this album would never make it out into the world—as proud as I am of it. Nevertheless, I slowly came back and now the world will get to hear what it’s like living in NYC everyday—hard times, staying alive, and taking the time to have a good brunch along the way."
As of May 14, the 'Sacred Places' LP is out on vinyl and available on Apple Music and Spotify. It can also be ordered via Bandcamp or from Buddhabug Records.
