Turkuaz Performs 2 New Originals At Maplewoodstock

Turkuaz may have formed just miles away from New Jersey in Brooklyn, but the band rarely performs in the Garden State. The nine-piece funk band made up for lost time by playing for free as part of Maplewoodstock in Maplewood, New Jersey on Sunday where they fit two brand new songs into their set.

After opening with staples “Percy Thrills, The Moondog” and “The Mountain,” guitarist Dave Brandwein led his mates through “Heat Drop.” The new song has a particularly deep pocket and catchy chorus. A cover of The Bar-Keys’ “Holy Ghost” was followed by the set’s other new tune, “Better Get Ready.” This one brought to mind Led Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks” and featured impressive choreographed dance moves from vocalists Sammi Garett and Shira Elias.

The rest of Turkuaz’s Maplewoodstock performance contained a mix of original gems and choice covers. A rendition of The Band’s arrangement of the Motown classic “Don’t Do It” led into David Byrne’s “Big Business” and the Talking Heads classic “Slippery People.” Next up was the band’s Jerry Harrison-produced single “On The Run” before a sequence of Sly & The Family Stone’s “Babies Makin’ Babies” and originals “Monkey Fingers” and “Bubba Slide” brought the set to a close.

Watch both new songs and a cover of “Don’t Do It” thanks to fan-shot video captured by Zak Radick below:

Better Get Ready

Heat Drop

Don’t Do It