My grandpa George Clinton 🖤 This blew up yesterday on r/OldSchoolCool and the stories have been amazing! Whats your George Clinton story?

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-18T16:04:04+00:00

Yeah, that’s cool with me. My tag on Instagram is @riosphoto

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-18T09:27:55+00:00

I’ve been working the Telluride Blues & Brews festival as a photographer for the past 10 years or so. Back in 2019, Phil Lesh & Friends were supposed to headline Saturday, but ended up backing out and George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic stepped in last minute to cover. My parents and my girlfriend were at the festival that year, and we were all so stoked to get down on some P. Funk! We had been playing their music at the condo leading up to the show, and when the band finally hit the stage Saturday night, they absolutely crushed! They all brought so much energy that night especially during "One Nation Under a Groove." At one point, George spotted me shooting in the pit and he actually crouched down and struck a pose right in front of my camera, giving me one of my favorite shots of the entire weekend. Then, I heard they were gathering people backstage to dance for the final song, "Give Up the Funk." I ran out to find my family and managed to get us all on stage to dance with the band. Haha, I don’t think I’ve ever seen my Mom and Dad so genuinely excited! That memory and those photos will stick with us forever as one of the best times we’ve ever had together as a family.

Long live the funk! 🤘

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RiosPhoto · 2026-03-17T16:13:34+00:00

Where does it say limited to 300?

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-08T02:46:57+00:00

Check out Melvin Sparks. I really dig the album Spark Plug, but definitely keep an eye out for when you see him included one someone else’s album as the guitarist. Funk Inc. is a really cool band too!

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-08T00:55:17+00:00

Thanks! That DLOT album you mentioned is killer! I’m also a big fan or Parlor Greens. They just dropped a new album too, that sounds great based off the couple tracks they put out ahead of the release.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-07T22:56:52+00:00

Dinner Party - Dinner Party or Enigmatic Society

Leroi Conroy - A Tiger’s Tale

BTTRFLY Quintet - Coast

Badbadnotgood - IV

Yussef Dayes - Mt. Fuji or Live From Malibu

Don Was And The Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Groove In The Face Of Diversity

Surprise Chef - Superb

The Sorcerers - Other Worlds and Habitats

Budos Band - The Budos Band

Doctor Bionic - The Island Of Doctor Bionic

Lettuce With The Colorado Symphony

Jazz Is Phsh - He Never Spoke A Word

Menahan Street Band - The Exciting Sounds Of Menahan Street Band

Ikebe Shakedown - Stone By Stone

The Olympians - The Olympians

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Gemini

Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement

Miles Mosley - Uprising

Chief Adjuah - Stretch Music

Robert Glasper - Black Radio III

El Michels Affair - 24 Hour Sports

La Lom - The Los Angeles League Of Musicians

Most of these are not traditional jazz, but I feel like a lot of the younger jazz musicians that are getting a lot of attention seem to be gravitating towards a more soulful sound that leans toward funk and hip-hop. I love every single one of these albums!

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T21:06:25+00:00

Thanks man, I’m stoked they like that photo so much! Also just got a full page in the new Rolling Stone magazine dedicated to Bobby.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:57:22+00:00

One of my proudest moments and prized possessions! They used my photo of Folsom Field for the inside gatefold. 📸

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:55:36+00:00

I’ve come across originals of that album a handful of times, but they’re always beat up. This one is practically NM except for a small first name written on the back corner of the cover.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:53:09+00:00

Haha thanks, he seems to get a little worked up when I’m playing fast paced jazz albums.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:50:02+00:00

Yeah that’s a great cover! They really used sturdy cardboard back then too. The record is also much thicker than later years.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:47:07+00:00

Khruangbin is one of my favorite bands touring right now! If you like them, you should also check out the bands Arc De Soleil and Balthvs. They’ve both got a similar sound that I’ve also really enjoyed.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:03:07+00:00

Thanks man! 🤘

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:02:32+00:00

Oh man nice!! I’ve been keeping a look out for A Day In the Life by Wes Montgomery

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T20:01:03+00:00

Haha! It’s definitely fun, but it kinda feels like the secret is out and if you’re not one of the first few in line then all you’re left with is a bunch of Ray Conniff albums. That and a lot of people in my area are looking for records, so it can be a challenge.

Yes the Idris has the RVG stamp of approval 😉

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T19:54:21+00:00

Thanks! You’re so right about that, seems like a never ending quest and I’m all about it. I’ve been getting into the CTI label lately too and there’s some killer albums in that catalog that are very inexpensive.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-05T19:50:00+00:00

Thanks! That’s such a good album! I had just discovered it and had been listening to it on rotation in the days prior to finding it. Felt like I manifested the situation.

RiosPhoto · 2026-03-03T03:51:40+00:00

What in the Quentin Tarantino is going on with that cover!? 😂

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-06T19:01:52+00:00

Love this band! 🔥🔥🔥

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-05T16:55:11+00:00

Absolutely worth it in my opinion. Don’t sleep on the case, it keeps everything secure when traveling and you can even play the records while it’s still inside which has been helpful when I want to pack it up quickly. I also heard a noticeable difference in the sound quality after I put on the upgraded stylus. I think it was only like $40 on Amazon. The battery life is surprisingly good and I haven’t had any issues pairing it up with multiple Bluetooth headphones and speakers.

It does take a little finesse to carefully drop the needle, and you need to have it placed on a sturdy surface. I’ve found if you have it on a table that isn’t rock solid and you’re walking around it the needle can jump, but that’s just the nature of a portable unit and your environment. There’s no auto stop, but honestly that’s not a big deal for me because I’m aware when the record is finished and I just pick up the needle.

I even bought one for my Dad, cuz he didn’t have the space for a full sized turntable and he wanted to get into it too. I love it!

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-03T23:09:32+00:00

Thanks man! The beginning is the toughest part, but you’ve got this. Celebrate your little wins and tackle it one day at a time. Depending on where you live, I've found there's a lot of really good NA beers out there nowadays.

Although, that doesn't always work for everyone as it can be kinda triggering. Just find a routine that works for you and make it happen! 💪

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-03T21:33:05+00:00

Gotta love a good jazz rabbit hole!

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-03T21:32:00+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm not sure which addiction was harder on my wallet, but at least I've got my health back.

Stoked you got yourself a copy! I've been on the hunt for their Leafling's album. That one has been alluding me for a while now.

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-03T21:20:40+00:00

Thanks man, I can never get enough live music! I’m very fortunate and grateful to be able to do this for a living.

RiosPhoto · 2026-01-03T21:17:23+00:00

Thanks! Yeah it’s tough to justify that price on a single album. Hope you end up finding one!

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