The Real Old School
Veterans make Vintage a R&B connoisseur's R&B band.
Thursday, November 6, 2003
After playing in Noah and the Classic Rhythm Maker, The Filo Rockers, The Islanders, The Counts, The Starlight Band and The Bay Toppers, local bassist Felix Mante is having a blast with his new band, Vintage.
"It''s a lot funner and a lot more relaxed," Mante says. "We don''t expect a lot like we did back then."
Mante is not the only veteran musician in the local R&B outfit. Drummer John Oxendine has played with Moby Grape, while vocalist Ray Simpson has opened for Ike and Tina Turner.
The seven-piece group includes a three-man horn section, a rhythm section and two vocalists. With lead singers Annie Camel and Ray Simpson behind the microphones, the group is able to cover old school R & B classics ranging from Roberta Flack to Stevie Wonder.
One of Vintage''s first gigs was the 2002 Monterey Blues Festival. Now, the group performs at the Moss Landing Inn, Sly McFly''s and the Monterey Coast Brewing Company in Salinas.
Mante says the group hopes to release an album of new material by early next year. "We want to take that one step forward," he says.
Vintage play Sly McFly''s, 700 Cannery Row, Monterey, Friday at 9pm. 649-8050.
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