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LaMP at Vinyl
CL RECOMMENDS
CRITIC’S PICK
Sun., Oct. 18
laMP, Vinyl — Not to be confused with Asian pop singer Lamp (note the upper case letters distinguishing them), this instrumental funk groove trio (drums, keyboards, guitar) is tricky to locate on streaming services. But it’s worth searching for because their funk runs tough and hard. Similar in makeup and sound to bands like the Delvon Lamar Organ Trio, these guys grind out a raw, butt-shaking sound harkening back to the great jazz/soul organ sounds of Booker T. and the MG’s, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. All three members are tremendously talented (two of ‘em tour with Trey Anastasio) and their interactive jams never overstay their welcome. They’ll be playing tracks from One of Us (2025), a non-stop retro rollicking delight. — Hal Horowitz
From the venue:
LaMP
Telepathic improvisers LaMP features Vermont-based Russ Lawton (drums) and Ray Paczkowski (Hammond B3, Clavinet, Rhodes), alongside Brooklynite Scott Metzger (guitar). On 2nd studio album, ONE OF US, the group distills singular, road-honed improv instincts into taut, instrumental epics of kaleidoscopic interplay and shifting grooves.
While each member has extensive experience — Lawton and Paczkowski with the Trey Anastasio Band and Metzger in projects such as Joe Russo’s Almost Dead — LaMP has hewed its own path.
With ONE OF US, the trio delivers its cleanest distillation of the LaMP sound yet, a mission statement of improvisational groupthink and compositional chops.
“Cosmo” sets the stage with a slow, smoky build before dropping into a propulsive groove. Paczkowski and Metzger out-riff each other while Lawton pushes the band deeper with his crackling beat. The title track continues to ride this cresting wave of funk before a spiraling entry into a psychedelic wormhole.
“Nice Girl (Walks Loud)” and “Jasper’s World” showcase a muscular Zeppelin stomp, steamed into a humid shuffle.
The album’s backend unfolds stately and elegant, highlighted by the blue-hour strut of “Ulterior Motives” and closer “Clipse O,” where Metzger’s fluid lines dance alongside Paczkowski’s vibrant keys and Lawton’s inexhaustible beat.
ONE OF US presents the myriad flavors LaMP brings to the table, working both as deep headphone immersion or a packable party custom-tailored to deliver the jams.
At Vinyl
LaMP at Vinyl | 10/18/2026 8:00 PM