MOKA
I went to East Detroit High. School on Saturday night for a concert headlining the SRC, and, like most concerts, this one had a few small groups before the main attraction For me, the high point of the evening was not the SRC but a new group on the scene, simply called Moka.
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MOKA
Jim Kleinsorge
I went to East Detroit High. School on Saturday night for a concert headlining the SRC, and, like most concerts, this one had a few small groups before the main attraction For me, the high point of the evening was not the SRC but a new group on the scene, simply called Moka.
The Moka, consisting of Paul Dunning, vocal; Carl Godell, bass; Roger Godbout, lead; and Steve Takenaga, drums; walked out op stage, plugged in, and started to play an old R & B hit. What started off to be a standard sound blossomed into what Pual later called blazz.: s
Blazz \ (and Moka) is a 'hodge-podge^-of styles and backgrounds. To be more specific, it is a blending together of blues, acid and jazz (hence , blazz). Each person of the group has studied jazz, and 'together, with a bit of1 blues, a thumping bass and a wailing singer, a }bit of hard rock-type leads and ajazZ drummer, the Moka was formed. They know music,and have faith in each other. As Paul explained later,/ “We don’t play loud to cover up . mistakes, and no one is carried.”
The Moka has only been together for a^month, and like most young groups, they lack a certain amount ofxoiifidence and experience. They also lack a lot of equipment. It is hard to sit down and tell the world about a new and bright sound—a sound so completely strange .that you’re totally unprepared when it comes. Sounds like “Skunky Funky” — a regular hard-driving footrStomper. Good, deep, expressive blues and hard rock with all its drive and impact. Strange and frightening sounds of “Thursday, October 31st”:
Prejudice damns your soul Thjs day never grows old God is trying to save their souls As 1 walk through the day.
Ridiculed minds will scream -Tell us the American Dream So we pan all hysterically laugh As we walk through your face.
Paul Dunning writes most Of the material that they perform now," although all the other members of the band do compose. When asked about a group image, Paul Said that the image would be one of intellect, but more than that, the group is concerned about people listening, thinking about the words apd music. “We want people to go home and remember.”
And you will remember. By way^ of a personal opinion, the group has a lot of talent and a lot of potential. By capitalizing bn their dynamic lead singer, their jazz backgrounds, and making full use of their excellent harmonic voice blends, they can make their already characteristic sound even more memorable. So remember blazz. And Moka. You’ll be heating a lot more about them.
