Credible bios are supposed to be objective and not full of superlatives and
hyperbole, but it’s hard to avoid gushing when the subject is a funk army
of multi-instrumentals and singers that is part freight train and part
tyrannosaurus rex, who—even on an off night—can blow away a room on the
basis of sheer physics alone. That’s one way to describe Turkuaz, but it
doesn’t address the music. In this regard, as with any band, influences are
everything. One cannot escape them as one seeks to carve out a unique sound
for themselves. Still, there are so many benefits to having Sly & The
Family Stone, Rick James, Parliament and Bohannon in your record
collection. With this as the basis for a recipe, Turkuaz adds healthy doses
of jittery, world-pop-power groove—reminiscent of Remain In Light era
Talking Heads—and a passion for Motown and R&B, resulting in a refreshing
twist on the funk idiom. Turkuaz certainly does have sheer size in their
favor, but when broken down into the basic components, each stands out on
their own. Founders Dave Brandwein and Taylor Shell had the cream of the
crop to choose from at Berklee, but making it happen as a large touring
ensemble takes more than chops: it takes the right blend of personalities.
When Turkuaz takes the stage, the chemistry is clear. The special
combination of elements—singers in sequined dresses, guys in tails (or
sometimes all of them in jumpsuits or other complimentary outfits) horns,
keys, guitars, amps and drums and smiles all around… well, it’s easy to get
caught up in the explosive auditory and visual circus and find oneself
dancing. Despite all of the gear and people on stage, it becomes clear that
it is not the size that matters here: it is the performance.