Flashback Funkfest: Morris Day and The Time at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The band Morris Day and the Time (also known as The Time and The Original 7ven) is an integral part of the foundation of the Minneapolis sound, a smooth combination of soul music and dance music infused with funk, rock n roll, and more. They are said to be the most successful artists who have worked with Prince and have achieved considerable popularity with R&B fans with their hits “The Bird”, “Cool”, and “Jungle Love”.

Flashback Funk Festival 2023 will celebrate Morris Day’s prolific career before retirement. After recording three albums with the band, he launched his solo career, releasing another three albums: The Color of Success, Daydreaming, and Guaranteed. He has recorded over 100 songs, performed for Southpark’s 100th episode celebration, contributed for the Haunted Mansion Soundtrack and gave an unforgettable performance in Kevin Smith’s hit 2001 film, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. In his whole career, he is best known as the lead singer of The Time and acting career like in Purple Rain (1984) and Graffiti Bridge (1990).

The music festival will also celebrate the timelessness of R&B and soul music with other performers, including Rose Royce, Zapp Band, Ohio Players, and Atlantic Star.

Rose Royce is a soul and R&B band in America known for several hit singles in the 1970s such as”Car Wash”, a funky disco earworm. Other works such as “I Wanna Get Next to You”, “I’m Going Down”, “Wishing on a Star”, and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” also became a big hit on the radio.

Zapp or also known as Zapp Band or Zapp & Roger became influential in the electro subgenre of funk, regional G-funk, and the broader cultural scene of West Coast hip-hop. In 1980, they released its eponymous debut album and gained recognition from their single “More Bounce to the Ounce”.

Another performer is Ohio Players, the American funk band most popular in the 1970s. Their songs “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster”, and their erotic album covers were one of their claims to fame. In 2013, they were inducted into the inaugural class of Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

To top the lineup is Atlantic Starr, a disco soul group from New York. They were among the top urban contemporary acts of the 1980s and have reached success in the adult contemporary market. They are best known for their hit songs “Always”, “Secret Lovers”, “Circles”, and “Masterpiece”.

The Flashback Funkfest will definitely be filled with a stellar night of old-school funk! Just imagine being in the large, open amphitheater of Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and being taken back in time by your favorite soul and R&B artists. Mark your calendars for May 27, 2023 and head to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion! Don’t hesitate and buy your tickets now!