MIND BODY & SOUL 2020

THE FUNK

ARhythmm Epkins known to his fans as DR. FUNK is the lead vocalist and responsible for bringing Mind Body & Soul, the funky, soulful band together in 2012, yet the road was long, paved with success and growing pains every band experiences. DR. FUNK believes it is all about making personal connections and finding a place where you belong when it comes to making music and performing on stage together as a band. “Music is a light that can shine anywhere,” DR. FUNK explains. “I don’t care where you are, you could be in the trenches, on the front line of war and at night when the bullets start flying, what do people do? They listen to music to give them a little hope.” Growing up in Queens, NY to a musically-inclined family, DR. FUNK learned how to play piano, drums, bass, the cello among other instruments which provided self-encouragement in order to appreciate and fall in love with music. DR. FUNK was on his way for stardom. Between playing gigs in NY and the East Coast at large, touring the last leg of the Chitlin’ Circuit down South during the later 70s, DR. FUNK had the chance to perform in several bands allowing him the grace for understanding the music industry and the life of a touring performer. More recently DR. FUNK played with The English Beat where DR. Funk had the chance to tour the world. DR. FUNK performed weekends with The English Beat and mid-week gigs with Mind Body & Soul. In 2015, DR. FUNK finished his contract with The English Beat and fully focus on the band, auditioning musicians for the right fit. It only took four months before Mind Body & Soul signed their first label deal and eventually signing to Indie Label Bentley Records with a contract for distribution and promotion. DR. Funk and his brother Power Morcillo (who plays guitar in the band) worked together to find the best musicians to join Mind Body & Soul. It didn’t happen overnight however the brothers are pleased with the members of Mind Body & Soul. Ray Zepeda (Saxophone) came in first in 2012 with musical success in his past; he was easily able to introduce the brothers to Ricky Lucchese (Trombone) and Brent Williams (Trumpet) into the crew. Later on, Farid Zariff (Percussion), Cesareo Garasa and Lamar Brooks (switching up on drums) and more recently Eric Barefield (Keyboards) joined Mind Body & Soul to complete the band. DR. FUNK shares that he is “so happy with the guys now.” Mind Body & Soul; a labor of love, came together in in Bakersfield, CA where DR. FUNK currently resides. The seasoned musical collective has traveled all over the nation performing their classic sounds that are a tribute to the music DR. FUNK grew up listening to Earth Wind & Fire, The Gap Band, Morris Day and The Time, Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, Sly & The Family Stone, Michael Jackson and Patti Labelle. Mind Body & Soul offers an escape from the daily grind that encapsulates love, positive energy and resilience that is not often seen in the music industry. The music DR. FUNK writes with Mind Body & Soul is something to take along with you on a journey where you can experience life as you grow, love, experience loss and maintain the daily grind of life. There is no mystery that DR. FUNK and his band have chemistry with one another and their fans. Bentley Records and Mind Body & Soul have decided to release singles for the precursor of an album in order to maximize exposure and broaden their fan base. There are currently nine of the 12 tracks released from their project including “Do it Right: The Funky Remix” (originally released in 2014) which became #1 on mainstream charts for Independent Music Network April 2020. Mind Body & Soul released their hit video to go along with it. June 2020 starts off strong with the #1 spot again with “Just a Matter of Time,” which is a beautiful song about believing in success and good fortune that will happen at the right time. The music video brings it all together as the band shows up for an outdoor musical performance and parade as they drive in with their classic cars, one of the group’s favorite pastimes. Another passion DR. FUNK is inspired by is giving back by ways of working with youth in a non-profit he is forming called “Music & Art Forever.” The organization plans to provide opportunities in the arts for youth. DR. FUNK and Mind Body & Soul is definitely doing it right, once all of the singles have been dropped this year, the band plans to release their album on vinyl and in between while focusing on media interviews and staying connected with fans.
For more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, Please Contact UBO Media | (808) 320-7111 | E-mail | UBO Entertainment is an umbrella company including UBO Media (Artist Services), UBO MAG, UndergroundBeat Presents (Remote Event Organizing Services). Learn More About DJ FUNK’s Mind Body & Soul on Social Media: Facebook | IG |Twitter | Music Platforms: Spotify | Youtube | iTunes-AppleMusic | GooglePlay | Deezer | BentleyMusicdd text

FUNK BUTTON

Mind Body & Soul

BREAKING NEWS

MIND BODY & SOUL 

SIGNED WITH

BENTLEY RECORDS

By reinvigorating R&B and funk, Rhythmm Epkins  Mind Body & Soul    bring their joie de vivre to the masses

It’s all about love. Making a difference. Giving people some small morsel of happiness. Spend any time with Rhythmm Epkins and it’s quickly apparent what motivates the man. 

He recalls one particular instance with audible delight. “I saw a lady one time at the supermarket, and she had bought my EP,” he says. She stopped him to tell him she was a fan, but one song in particular had become a bonding ritual for her family. “Every time I’m cleaning my house, my kids start to act crazy because they don’t think I’m paying attention. What I do now, is I put on ‘Friends Before Lovers,’ and we all start dancing and laughing and singing — and I’m cleaning! And for whatever reason they just calm down.”

Those kinds of personal connections drive Epkins’ funk-and-R&B revival Mind, Body & Soul. It’s music, he says, for people to dance to and cry to and fall in love to. It’s an escape from the daily grind and an uplifting offering of love. “Music is a light that can shine anywhere,” he says. “I don’t care where you are, you could be in the trenches, on the front line of war, and at night, when the bullets start flying, what do people do? They listen to music to give them a little hope.”

And there are few more qualified than the multi-instrumentalist Epkins to shine that kind of light. This man was destined to be a performer, almost from birth. His mother, a gospel singer, would tote the young Epkins to church for nightly practices where the boy would fall asleep under the piano, absorbing the harmonies of his mother’s choir. He excelled at music early on, showing his knack for melody on a pre-school flutophone before spending his school years learning piano, drums, bass and cello on a series of instruments bought by his mother or borrowed from friends. “I was into singing and imitating people like the Temptations and Ray Charles, Al Green,” he remembers, “whoever was on the radio.”

At their house in Queens, Epkins’ stepfather outfitted the basement into a private nightclub, and Epkins got his first taste of the spotlight when he’d play along to the grown-ups’ records at parties. As a high school freshman, he broke curfew to play his first city gig, and ended the inevitable argument with mom when he produced a wad of $150. That was only the beginning.

Despite a raised eyebrow from his stepfather, Epkins was a teenage regular at gigs throughout New York, playing keyboards, drums or bass, and signing. “I couldn’t go out near the bar because I was too young,” he remembers. “I would sit in the back and do my homework, eat licorice, and wait until it was time to go on.”

Touring life began soon after, with a national run in a dozen-piece band of teen prodigies. It was a road-life boot camp that traveled from New York to Colorado, to California and back. A short stint at St. Johns University only proved what that first tour had promised: Rhythmm Epkins was destined for the life of a traveling musician. And ever since, Epkins has been a tenacious touring player, playing across the globe, most recently as the drummer for the undying two-tone innovators The English Beat.

But Mind, Body & Soul is the labor of love, a culmination of decades of veteran chops and a tribute to the sounds of his youth: Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, Earth Wind & Fire, Sly & The Family Stone. The ever-relevant vintage soul and funk sounds that have granted second-wind careers to Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley are, for Epkins, a universal language.

“I don’t care where you go, or how old the people are or how young they are, when they hear soul music, funk, people get happy,” he says. “That’s what I’m paying homage to. We’re trying to keep R&B, funk, dance music alive, keep it organic.”

It’s in this effort that the band is preparing its proper debut, a full-length album called Love Is.

Flanked by his partner in crime, guitarist Power Morcillo, Epkins leads an agile and ambitious ensemble through an album peppered with a variety of upbeat funk tunes, soul scorchers, smooth ballads and Latin flair, the album should serve as a bold entrance for the band. It’s a loving tribute to musical icons and universal appeal, but also a personal testament to the love of friends and family. Two loved ones who passed before the album’s completion — Epkins’ mother and Mind, Body & Soul percussionist Freddie G. — cast their shadows on this record.

That’s the thing, though. Life is never easy, but through hardship comes strength. And with MIND BODY & SOUL  Rhythmm Epkins finds his motivation. This is a celebration of life.

FUNK 4 1 FUNK 4 ALL

FUNKSTERS SIGN UP FOR ALL FUNK DATES

FUNK 4 1 FUNK 4 ALL

Mind Body & Soul 411

                                               MIND BODY & SOUL FT DR.FUNK 

Will bring the show to  WIKI'S wine dive & grill   April 18 2020  9PM TO 12AM   Let's make it a HOT & SEXY NIGHT

 

LISTEN TO MIND BODY & SOUL IN YOUR CAR  AT WORK  AT HOME  ON  SPOTIFY.COM

https://open.spotify.com/album/6RWWYB6h4f2Ik6T7tvgrAr?si=xCEsPT-mR4GWBvxoxkZLog

NEXT STOP ON THIS FUNK TRAIN  HERMOSA BEACH   DEC 28 2019  AT THE HERMOSA SALOON CHECK FUNK DATES  9 PM SHOWTIME 

NEXT STOP ON THIS FUNK TRAIN BACK TO BAKERSFIELD  LANDING AT THE TACO AND BEER FESTIVAL OPEN AT 1PM  MIND BODY & SOUL  HIT STAGE AT 3 PM.

TACO'S BEER'S & FUNK 

SEPTEMBER 21 2019 THE FIRST  "RALLY IN THE ALLEY CONCERT" AT WALL STREET ALLEY IN BAKERSFIELD CA  OUTDOORS FREE SHOW 

SHOWTIME 3PM-7PM

NEW RELEASE "JUST  MATTER OF TIME"  ON ALL DOWNLOAD SITES RELEASE DATE WAS SEPTEMBER 4 2019 MUSIC VIDEO COMING SOON.

JOIN THIS FUNK CAMPAIGN   THE FUNK TRAIN IS GOING TO SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND  SATURDAY AUGUST 31 2019   THE SPY THAT WILL FUNK YOU    AT  FROG AND PEACH    ON JULY 17 2019  BENTLEY RECORDS RELEASED  "DO IT RIGHT" the single and on JULY 31 BENTLEY RECORDS RELEASED " DO IT RIGHT "MUSIC VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM    NEXT STOP ON THIS FUNK TRAIN IS REDONDO BEACH AT THE STARBOARD ATTITUDE JULY 6 2019 9 PM - 1AM

    LABOR DAY WEEKEND

The Spy that  Funked you

live at SWEET SPRINGS SALOON 

IN LOS OSOS

FRIDAY AUGUST 31

NEXT STOP ON THIS FUNK TRAIN 

THUNDER VALLEY CASINO RESORT JUNE 8 & 9 2018 DR.FUNK AND THE BOYS ARE BACK ON THE MAIN STAGE INSIDE THE CASINO.

We have been busy in this Music Industry. Music Video coming soon.

Saturday March 17 2018 DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL LIVE AT THE CRUZIN SHINE CAR SHOW 12 PM - 1 30     COME TAKE A RIDE WITH DR.FUNK AND THE BOYS

NEXT STOP IS BAKERSFIELD CA TO SHOOT THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR  'DO IT RIGHT"   WE START FILMING  SEPTEMBER 14 2017 WE ARE SO EXCITED. 

IT BEEN GREAT.  ALL OF OUR SHOWS HAVE BEEN SO KOOL. THE FUNK TRAIN MADE STOP AT THUNDER VALLEY CASINO AUGUST 5 2017.  NEXT STOP WAS LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 2 2017 AT FROG & PEACH IN SAN LUIS OBISPO  PACKED HOUSE  ONE FUNKTASTIC NIGHT

 

ON JUNE 10 DR.FUNK AND THE BOY'S DID A PRIVATE EVENT FOR FLAG DAY DINNER & DANCE. THEY CALLED THEM LAST MINUTE AND THE BAND PUT ON A FANTASTIC SHOW.

NEXT STOP ON THE FUNK TRAIN WILL BE MAY 27 2017 LIVE IN CONCERT AT FIESTA HERMOSA FESTIVAL. ON MAIN STAGE. SHOWTIME 3 PM - 6 PM

 

 

NEXT STOP ON THE FUNK TRAIN IS BAKERSFIELD CA

DANCE PARTY FOR    RELAY 4 LIFE

A CELEBRATION ON LIFE  MAY 6 2017 AT KERN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS   10 PM - 12 MIDNIGHT.

 APRIL 29 2017 DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL PUT ON A GREAT SHOW AT THE TASTE OF TEMECULA FESTIVAL. ONCE AGAIN SENDING LOVE THRU THE FUNK TO EVERYONE. MADE EVERYBODY DANCE AND SCREAM!

DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL WAS ON FIRE LAST FRIDAY APRIL 7 2017. AMAZING SHOW

NEXT SHOW IS APRIL 29 2017 IN TEMECULA CA. 

DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL LIVE! AT  TASTE OF TEMECULA  BRING YOUR FAMILY. DOORS AT 11AM   DANCE PARTY AT 4PM 

 

DR.FUNK JUST ADDED SOME NEW FUNK FOR MARDI GRAS.  "SHOW ME"(WAT U GOT)

DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL WOULD LIKE TO SAY HAPPY MARDI GRAS TO EVERYONE. MAKE IT FUNKY! FEB 28 2017

 

 

   

MONDAY NIIGHT FEB 20 2017 WORKING ON GUITAR PARTS FOR THE NEW SINGLE. FUNK ROCK POP. WE ARE EXCITED.

 

DR.FUNK RELEASED SOME NEW FUNK TODAY FEB 20 2017. "WORK"  SOME ORGANIC FUNK, FUNKY VOCALS, HARD GROOVE ON THE FLOOR, THE HORNY HORNS ARE POPPING, FUNKY GUITARS ARE CALLING YOU!  "WORK" IS FUNK FOR EVERYDAY!

 

 

 DR.FUNK AND THE BOYS ARE COMING BACK TO THE BEACH. APRIL 7 2017 @ HERMOSA SALOON  9 PM. COME PARTY WITH THE PARTY BAND.

 

 

DR.FUNK & THE MARY JANE GIRLS

 

 

 

DR.FUNK MIND BODY & SOUL BAND IS #1 FUNK BAND ON REVERBNATION.COM  IN BAKERSFIELD ,CA 

MIND BODY & SOUL IS WORKING ON A NEW SINGLE. COMING SOON. 

2017 IS THE START OF A QUINQUENNIUM PERIOD OF FUNK! COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shows Coming Up!

First October 22nd @ The Bakersfield Pride Festival-Stramler Park, 4003 Chester Avenue-Bakersfield, CA. 93301 6:30-7:30 PM!

Next up is a Halloween show.  A Halloween Funk Party @ 19 Broadway-Fairfax, CA. 94930  9:00 PM till full moon!

 

Don'T miss our upcoming show July 29th at BELLY UP in SOLANA BEACH with The Legendary Wailers!  Hot Funk By The Beach!!

 

 

We also have some new shows to tell you about.  First, we'll be playing the Relay For Life Event on Saturday-April 23rd-at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

Next up is a show on July 2nd at Mr. Peabody's in Encinitas.

Later in the summer On September 3rd we'll be playing at The Frog & Peach Pub in San Luis Obispo.

Later in the year, Oct. 29th we'll be at 19 Broadway in Fairfax.

Make sure to check here and the Calendar for all info for Mind Body & Soul shows!

Get ready for The Valentine's Day Soul Jam!!!

It's happening on Feb. 13th at The Thunder Valley Casino & Resort.  Dr. Funk and the Mind Body & Soul crew will be playing with the mighty Temptations and special guest Carl Carlton. Ticket info is here: www.thundervalleyresort.com/Entertainment#prettyPhoto                          

Dr.Funk would like to thank my Band Mind Body & Soul For a Funktastic job last Saturday night at Mr.Peabody's in Encinitas. I would also like to thank Pacific West Sound and my bro Jordan Manuel for everything. We have a great team and family. Also a big thank you to Brie Cardosa and the staff at Mr.Peabody's in Encinitas.  

ONE LIFE ONE LIGHT ONE LOVE! Mind Body & Soul will see you next funky Friday-Dec. 18th at The Hermosa Saloon in Hermosa Beach.  See you there!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Friday Funkateers!  We've got some more upcoming shows to share with you. First up-December 18th we will be back at The Hermosa Saloon.Be there. Then to start off the new year correctly-on January 2nd, 2016 we will be blowing the roof off of the Frog & Peach Pub in San Luis Obispo. See you there!

Dr.Funk would like to thank ALL the Funksters for bringing the Party to Thunder Valley Casino Saturday Night! 
Also I want to thank my Fabulous Band Mind Body & Soul for laying it down. Last but but not least, I want to Thank Pacific West Sound for Everything Much Respect.
ONE LIFE. ONE LIGHT. ONE LOVE!

 

 

Welcome to Fall 2015.  Time to lay down some serious Funk with Dr. Funk and the Boys with these brand new show dates! First up is a show on October 3rd at The Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, CA. The show starts at 9:00-don't be late. Next up is a show on November 7th at Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill in Encinitas, CA. The show starts at 8:45-be there!!

 

Dr.Funk and the Boys brought the Funk to Hermosa beach Saint Rocke's. Every person in the venue was Dancing. It was Hot and Spicy. Mind Body & Soul Band feat Dr.Funk is a Most see.

~Dr.Funk

 

 

Thank you to everyone that came to Hermosa Beach to support Mind Body & Soul this past Saturday. In addition thank you St. Rocke for having us, Pacific West Sound for supporting us and above all, the techs that made the show happen: Jordan Manuel and Louis Aique Leahy. Love and respect. And finally to all the cats on stage. A band is people coming together to share what's in their hearts. Thank you all for sharing your hearts with us.

~Power Morcillo

 

It's Friday...it's time to head down to the world famous Santa Monica Pier tonight-August 7th-and get your funk groove on with Mind Body & Soul. We hope to see you there.  Come say hi and take a photo with us!

The Mind Body & Soul family is pleased to announce our new endorsement partners-Pac West Sound!  You can check them out here:  http://www.pacificwestsound.com/.

 

Greeting MBS Funksters!  We want to take this opportunity to let you take a peek at our brand new Electronic Press Kit.  You can view it here: www.wayoutsound.com/Epkins.Watch it-love it-share it with your fellow funksters. 

Thanks so much to all you party people that came to the Hermosa Saloon to help us celebrate the 4th of July!  It was a funk, soul party filled with love and good times! Check out the photo gallery to see some of the great moments from the festivities.  

To all you galactic funksters of the cosmic planet-the new album from Mind Body & Soul-"Love Is"-is done!  We are currently in the process of putting the last touches on the cover artwork...cause ya know it's gonna be funky.

In the meantime, head on over to CD Baby and grab yourself a copy of the first single-"Do It Right:...go here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mindbodysoul.

As always, don't forget to check our calendar for upcoming funktastic Mind Body & Soul shows.

Dr.Funk and the Boys brought the Funk to Hermosa beach Saint Rocke's. Every person in the venue was Dancing. It was

 

ALL ABOARD THE FUNK TRAIN

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MIND BODY & SOUL Is signed with BENTLEY RECORDS AND ENDORSED BY : EVENTIDE, BARTOLINI PICKUP