Raul Amador of Bass Musician Magazine chats with the Philadelphia-based band Labex Funk Project, via Skype. The group includes CMS drum teacher Daniel Gonzalez (drums), Michel “Labex” Labaki (bass guitar), Kinyon Linyar (vocals), Pablo Batista (piano), and Jake Brightman (guitar). Their former drummer Phillippe Dib is the producer.
Founder Michel Labaki (aka Labex) was born and raised in Lebanon. Influenced by his mother, a pianist, he developed a longing for music, particularly for the guitar. At the age of 20, he became one of the most prominent bass players in Lebanon.
Watch the full interview on YouTube here as Daniel and the group discuss the art of playing “in the pocket” with multiple percussive elements in a multigenerational group.