Beat-crossed Portland band makes music for dancing

Flanagan s Central Station in Whitefish brings in the Uprite dub Orchestra on July 7 at 9 p.m. for a night of dancing to the group s proven mix of dub reggae, ska and hip-hop.

Uprite dub Orchestra is a six-member band featuring a solid rhythm section of guitar, bass and drum kit complemented by tenor sax, trombone, and trumpet with occasional appearances of keyboards, melodica, and the upright bass.

Made by musicians drawn together by their love of instrumental music and the lengths to which it can be explored, the Uprite dub sound is a cross of Jamaican beats. In late August 2001, founders Ryan Bley and Brandon Hutson had a vision inspired by musicians such as Augustus Pablo, King Tubby, The Skatalites, The Specials and Sublime.

The lineup features Taylor Aglipay on tenor sax and guitar, Jeremy Jauchius on guitar, Mike Montgomery on drums, Justin Partney on trumpet and keys, Brandon Hutson on trombone, keys and melodica, and Ryan Bley on upright and electric basses.

The song list from Uprite dub Orchestra includes tight arrangements of Augustus Pablo and Don Drummond songs, original sweet horn harmonies, fresh original material, and tales of struggle, oppression and freedom from the machine.

Uprite dub s first album was 2004 s Dubrite. Dubrite was reviewed favorably in the regional press and supported by commercial and community radio stations throughout the Pacific and Mountain time zones.

After the release of Dubrite, Uprite dub began a nine-state, 200-date tour in 2004, making their first jump from being weekend warriors to full-time music professionals.

Call 862-8888 for tickets.

For more information, visit http://www.upritedub.com/

Next up at Flanagan s is Electric Mud, a four-piece Whitefish favorite, playing July 8-9.

Electric Mud is a four-piece, blues-based funk band with Ryan Haas on vocals, guitar and harmonica, Jamie Simpson on lead guitar, Tim Kilpatrick on bass, and Chas Vergauwen on drums. Frequent special guests include sax player Steve Neff.

The group plays mostly original compositions by Haas and Simpson, but throws in a few covers including songs by Led Zeppelin, Funkadelic and Little Feat.

Electric Mud shows begin at 9 p.m.