Project Logic has been touring the nation in high-class, super-funky style, and their stop in Syracuse, NY this year for Halloween was no exception. With the stage fully decorated with cobwebs, lights, and Jack-o-Lanterns, the band came out in full costume and took the stage. Slightly less than half of those in attendance wore costumes and some were quite creative, such as one person who dressed up as a box of “Kix” cereal. The band started out deep and dark with a perfect Halloween feel to set the mood, kicking off what was about to be an incredible set of music.
When one normally thinks of a DJ, nothing would come to mind, which is even close to what DJ Logic and his Project Logic do with their sound. The five-piece band is an ever-evolving unit, controlled, conducted, and headed by turntablist master DJ Logic [AKA Jason Kibler]. Logic came out onstage dressed as some character very much reminiscent of the Grim Reaper, and the rest of his Project followed. Joined by Mike Whiteman on the keyboards, dressed with an afro and appropriate 70’s attire, did not cease to amaze with his funktified skills on the keys. Lamont McCaine on bass was dressed as an old-school hippy, with the peace band and all, as he kept the bass bumpin' in the house. On drums and dressed as one of the blues brothers, Stephen Roberson kept the beat strong and full. Casey Benjamin, a long-time friend and Project Logic veteran tore it up on the saxophone, ewi, flute and keys all night long. Switching between instruments effortlessly, and at times he would even play the keys and sax at once, he kept the rest of the band on their toes and pumped out some riveting solos. DJ Logic rounds out the sound fully, and keeps control of the jams with his scratches and effects, yet he knows when to share the spotlight with the rest of the Project and let someone else take the lead.
Logic kept it in high gear all night and everyone was grooving so hard that I think many of the ghouls and ghosts were scared away. Covers such as "Cars, Trucks, and Buses" featuring Casey Benjamin on flute, a super funky "Superstitious," and "Another One Bites The Dust" teases were nice additions to Logic’s originals. Aside from the obvious covers, there were some subtle teases thrown in as well, such as "The Adams’ Family Theme Song," which kept everyone on their toes. "Shea’s Groove," a Project Logic original, had everyone up and moving to the insane beats as sweat flew around the room.
DJ Logic’s intuitive style mixes the record-scratching roots of hip-hop and rap with funk, jazz, rock, and just about every other genre of music one can think of. This unique sound is more closely related to the jamband scene than the DJ/Techno/electronica scene. So if you’re looking for straight up techno, Project Logic is probably not the first place to look, although at some points they tend to mix in certain elements from these genres. The jazz element shines through in their sound very strongly, especially when Casey Benjamin picks up his saxophone, melding jazz and funk together to complement Logic’s turntable mastery perfectly.
Project Logic kept it in high gear all night at the Armory High in Syracuse, NY this year for Halloween. People were getting their groove on in every which direction, and the Project would not even stop for a set break. And even with big, hot costumes, their playing abilities were not limited by any means. They jammed the night away and kept the grooves going for three hours straight. DJ Logic’s Project Logic will not cease to amaze, whether it be an extra special Halloween show, or whether it be in their hometown of New York City. Wherever the show is they will give you all they got and keep you grooving the night away.
Ian Stone
JamBase | Upstate New York
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