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Robert Walter's 20th Congress:
Legislating the Funk
Said to be the best keyboardist you've never heard of, Robert Walter has paid his fair share of dues to get his name out to the public. In this shysty, cutthroat music industry, the rule is: if you don't work, you don't eat. In the immortal words of Chris Rock, "If you don't have a job, then you have a job, because your job is to find a job." For Robert Walter, finding a job doesn't seem to be too difficult; creating funktabulously masterful grooves on the keys is his way of putting food on the table. When you are as skilled a musician as Walter, opportunities to join groups come as frequently as they go. Although he has played with a number of respected musicians, Walter's role has always been to accompany, never to display the full breadth of his talent.
The break-up of West Coast supergroup the Greyboy All-Stars left many a talented musician in limbo. The majority of the refugees have gone on to create groups of their own. Of them, Karl Denson and his Tiny Universe have done several successful tours, building a following of people still fascinated with the resurrected '70s funk that DJ Greyboy and his former band revived during their run. This time around, Robert Walter believes it is his time to shine. Earlier this year, the keyboardist sent out a call-to-arms to some of the finest musicians he knew, asking these players to record an album with him. Dropping by the studio were Stanton Moore, funk drummer from Galactic; Cochemea Castelum, long time friend and saxophone experimentalist; Elgin Park, an established and respected guitarist; and David Carano, bassist and guitar player from the same school as Walter. Together they formed 20th Congress (a reference to Russia's political body during the Stalin era, who exposed the dictator to the world as a murderous tyrant). The name also refers to the fact that some band members had defected from the now defunct Greyboy All-Stars, who were under the watchful eye of DJ Greyboy.
It took Walter's group no time at all to record its album. Because of previous interaction with each other, the quartet clicked instantaneously. The session, titled Money Shot, was released earlier this year on Fog City Records, and had enough juice to put Walter on the road with his new group. As things go in the music industry, members of the original 20th Congress went their separate ways before the tour kicked off, forcing Walter to recruit a crew of equally talented second-stringers to join him on his trek. Cochemea stayed on board, while bassist Chris Stillwell (another Greyboy refugee), drummer George Sluppick, and percussionist Chuck Prada (who is featured on Money Shot) joined the ranks to keep the band alive and rolling.
Money Shot is authentic soul-jazz, mixed with progressive attitude at its finest. The music speaks for itself, which is just the way Walter likes it. To him, the formation of his group wasn't just a conscious decision, it was a natural progression. In his mind, the music in his head finally came to life. Connoisseurs of groove music will thank the man for opening his cerebral gates and letting the beast out. More importantly, lovers of quality live performances will be amazed at the accuracy and tightness of Robert and his carefully selected partners-in-crime.
Through all the ups and downs of trying to get his project on the road, Walter kept a positive attitude. The keyboardist's love for all things soulful and funky can be seen on his face as he lays thick rolling key accompaniments on the tightest grooves. That, and his ability to seek out the most certified players to surround himself with, have kept Robert Walter on his feet while others have fallen by the wayside. Great leaders surround themselves with great people. With a group of musicians the likes of 20th Congress, one would be hard pressed to find idle bodies in any room in which they might perform. The success of Money Shot should propel Robert Walter to the forefront of the jam band scene. His tireless touring in conjunction with the release is proof enough of his conviction to music.
musictoday.com reached Walter on the phone in the middle of his promotional tour to discuss his current rise and the completion of Money Shot. For someone with the amount of fire and pizzazz he displays on his instrument, Walter's personality reflects the opposite end of the spectrum. A very private and humble man, he spoke openly about his experiences playing with the Greyboy All-Stars and his new group. Read further and find out why Robert Walter is turning heads all over the country.
by Damani
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