Finding their rhythm Planet Groove celebrates its 10th anniversary BY BOB GULLA

Heck, I’ve always felt that if you do any one thing for 10 years, you’re bound to get pretty good at it. People are pretty good at driving, eating, brushing hair, and popping popcorn too. Practice makes perfect, I guess. And while it’s not quite the same for bands, the premise is. Heck, I’m sure you’ll agree that the toughest thing about being in a band is staying together. So, for Planet Groove, who celebrate 10 years together this weekend, that in itself deserves hearty congratulations.

Given 10 years of exploration, lots of good things can happen. You can become proficient on an instrument. You can develop a rapport that goes beyond friendship into a deeper musical understanding. Most importantly — and the thing that most bands don’t stay together long enough to enjoy — is discovering the sound they were meant to have together. Obviously, that sound doesn’t happen in a few months, or even a few years. It takes time and understanding, insight and maturity.

Planet Groove may have found that sound. After 10 years of lineup changes, experimentation, tinkering, and philosophical differences, the Latin rock/ pop/jazz/funk outfit has landed on comfortable sonic ground. On Sube (Get Up), their new, four-song EP of originals, PG buys into the rhythmic, funky Latin idiom whole hog, pushing the rock side of their personality gently into the backseat. The result is exultant, a great-sounding dose of electric Latin groove with hints of American styles.

Here’s some of my recent e-mail chat with the band’s percussionist and co-founder, Ajay Coletta.

Q: What have the biggest challenges been for you over the last 10 years?

A: Defining a style and membership. Keeping talent committed to the project is a problem for all bands, but for us it has been defining a style. If you listen to our four and a half discs, you see a nice progression. Start with our debut disc Planet Groove which is "instrumental world beat," a sort of National Geographic Explorer soundtrack. Our second recording, Joy Ride, is more world/jazz/fusion with some hints of Latin coming through. Our third disc, Live from the Ocean Mist, was more of a marketing tool to show our diversity and how well we perform together on stage. It worked. We got a lot of bookings from that disc. Our fourth disc, Rojo Vivo, showed the significant Latin influence with our Dominican lead singer opening avenues into the Hispanic markets. And our newest creation, Sube (which will be a full-length album by the fall), shows us taking our Latin influences and integrating them with pop, rock, soul, and funk.

Q: What were your goals when you first started the band?

A: The main goal regarding style was to always have a strong element of rhythm and groove in the band so people could really feel something in their heart and hips. Also, it was important to hire passionate and dedicated musicians who shared our vision. I have worked with some monster musicians, but many could not think past their instrument and see the big picture. Nor could they think like "music business" people, which is essential in maintaining longevity.

Q: Have you reached those goals? Have you stayed focused on them?

A: Yes indeed. As you know, Latin styles of music have infectious grooves and dynamic rhythm instruments. Fusing Latin with rock, jazz, and funk allows us to maintain the essential groove element, combined with the creative and melodic phrasing found in jazz and the energy found in rock. Hiring the right talent that shares your vision keeps the band’s focus in check.

Planet Groove celebrates their tenth anniversary at the Call on Friday, April 1.

MAIN SQUEEZE. Is the world ready for another Rock Accordion Summit? The second annual installment of the squeezebox jubilee will take place on Saturday (the 2nd) at AS220 and features Alec Redfearn and the Eyesores (fresh off their whirlwind tour of Europe!), Reverend Glasseye, Benjamin Ickies & Friends, Goat of Arms, Brian Dewan, and Julz A. Didn’t know there were enough accordions in the vicinity to pull this off, didja? The Rock Accordion Summit originally descended upon New York City in August 2003. Playing a sold-out show in the East Village, four acts rocked and screamed until the early morning. The Summit brought together hipsters, punks, accordion enthusiasts, and the accordion-curious. They drank, cheered, sang along, and left knowing this: the accordion rocks. Now, the Summit returns for one night of merry mayhem. Providence’s most talented rock accordionists are joining forces to strut their stuff, so let the free-reeds ring! The night begins at 8 p.m. and costs $10. But think of all the squeezin’ you get!

WANDERING EYE. On Friday, Fever Dream presents "Fools Night Out" with special guests the Jazz Bastards. What better way to celebrate April Fools’ Day than to party at the new and improved Living Room with the Jazz Bastards? I can’t think of one offhand.

Sadly, Max, Zack and the boys from Outside the Box are calling it quits. They’ll sing their farewell song on Saturday at the Blackstone in Cumberland with Huck and John Larson & Paul Crane helping them close the curtain. "I guess we just didn’t piss off enough people," says Zack. "But, man, it’s been a great ride." The cover is $5 and the music starts at 9 p.m.

There’s a Fisherman’s Benefit in FishingTown USA, aka New Bedford, on Saturday. The event will help fishermen and their families when tragedy strikes, as has been known to happen. They sure had a tough winter over there. Anyway, they need our help. The benefit will be at the United Fisherman’s Club on Orchard Street. The show starts at 7 p.m. and will feature MC/DJ Roger Chartier and special guests Spirit of Santana. Call (508) 994-5883 for more details or e-mail Manny at manualco@ manualcontrol.com.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Delphine, but they’re back with a gig and some previously unreleased (or otherwise hard to find) music available on their site at www.delphinemusic. com. They will be playing at westsideARTS on Broadway on Saturday. There’s no cover charge, and the show is all ages. The lovely and talented Heather Rose of the Stereobirds, who has been working on both band and solo projects, will be opening.

Waterbed plays da funk. They’ve been around for a few months now, and are currently playing nearly every Saturday night at the Providence Black Repertory Company (276 Westminster Street) as part of the "Neon Soul" nights. The band features Chris Warren on guitar, bassist Harry Milloff, and John Ferreira on drums. They’re in the process of recording their first disc, and can be tailed at www.waterbedband.com. Or catch ’em next Saturday (the 9th) at AS220 with Providence’s Private Tremendous and Groove of the Day and Melodeego, who both hail from Boston.

Stone Soup Coffeehouse is the place to be on Saturday for folk fans (as usual) as Joyce Katzberg introduces her new folk/fusion band the Kat’z Meow. Katzberg, one of the founding mothers of the coffeehouse, is well known regionally for her powerful singing voice and her passionate political activism. This debut gig will be recorded for a disc currently in production. Stone Soup is located at 210 Main St. in Pawtucket (in the Boys & Girls Club Art Center). The concert starts at 8 p.m. and is a fragrance-free event. Admission is $15 at the door.

The Greg Abate Quartet plays at Chan’s (267 Main Street in Woonsocket) on Saturday at 8 p.m. Local hero Abate is considered by jazz aficionados to be one of the best post-bop alto sax players around. Joining Abate (sax/flutes) are Bruce Gertz on bass, Gary Johnson on drums, and pianist Mac Chrupcala. Bring $10 and see how good it gets. For information or reservations, call 765-1900.

E-mail me at big.daddy1@cox.net.