The Russ Liquid Test  has been in the works for quite some time, and with the release of their debut album 1984 (listen here), we have been able to peer into the elusive looking glass of this project. A few lucky fans were able to experience the spectacle that is the Russ Liquid Test, and boy do we want more.

In the days leading up to the highly anticipated Pretty Lights Live New Year’s Eve event, Russ Liquid graced New Orleans venue Howlin’ Wolf with an unprecedented and undeniably funk-filled performance. Dubbed “The Russ Liquid Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” Russ was joined by members of Gramatik, Pretty Lights Music, Manic Focus, The Speakerbox Experiment, and Dumpstaphunk in a rare and one of a kind set. Along with Russ, the center of the Test is Lowtemp Music relative and right hand man, Andrew Block. The duo jammed through their nearly three-hour long set alongside legendary artists, Alvin Ford Jr., Borahm Lee, Keniem “Ken” Turner, Dwayne “JuBee” Webb, Emily Nichols, Deven Trusclair, and Angelica “Jelly” Joseph. With such an extensive lineup of industry heavy weights and their diverse musical backgrounds, Russ Liquid led the Merry Pranksters in their ever so groovy Kool-Aid acid test.

Although in reference to Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, the appreciation for New Orleans culture and its deep, soulful roots did not go unnoticed. Nick Marcadel, Jason Hodge, Keniem “Ken” Turner, and Angelica “Jelly” Joseph of the Nola based band, The Speakerbox Experiment, showcased their talent in integrating ephemeral vocals and heavy funk. Dumpstaphunk and Pretty Lights Live staple Alvin Ford Jr., along with Borham Lee complimented consistent groove and delightfully teased the audience in the shadow of the upcoming weekend.

The evenings set began with Marcadel on the drums, Hodges and Lee on keys, Block and Turner on strings, and Russ with his powerful brass and turn-table mastery. The intimate venue was flooded with funk and driven by Russ Liquid’s trademark trumpet notes. While a traditional Russ Liquid set would be driven by electronic synthesis, The Russ Liquid Test has integrated musical components from every genre to create the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Electronic notes surfaced, however waltzed gracefully with each jazzy groove, illuminating the Howlin’ Wolf in psychedelic entrancement. Each member of the crowd flowed with ease as blaring trumpet notes fluttered throughout the room. As if the crowd was not hyped up enough, Russ took to the mic and urged, “who’s ready for some drum and bass?!” With raised arms and begging voices, Alvin Ford Jr. then took to the stage. With a confident swig of champagne, the mogul took to the drums as if the room would shatter with sound.

Russ then introduced vocalists including Joseph and Nichols, bringing some serious traditional groove to the stage. As Joseph swayed and belted deep soul-rich chords, Nichols took center stage commencing “Let Me Stand,” a track from the recent Russ Liquid Test album. This is a track laced with the Russ Liquid traditional, trippy synth yet caressed with velvet vocals. Rappers including Manic Focus’s JuBee then took to the stage laying down hot and heavy hip hop and spitting bars of pure mastery. Tracks such as “King Kunta (Kendrick Lamar)” were thrown into the mix as well as “FNK FWD (Feat. Steve Swatkins)”. The evenings end drew close as The Acid Test dove into “1984 (Feat. Ivan Neville)” synchronizing the crowd in dance and vocals. With heavy and finessed vocals from the stage, and a final epic freestyle, each member of the crowd left the Howlin’ Wolf absolutely memorized.

With the finale leaving both crowd goers and artists alike entranced, The Kool-Aid Acid Test was a blaring success. Although a sense of euphoric sobriety was carefully threaded through the atmosphere, it was as if the crowd did in fact drink the Kool-Aid.

Don’t miss this band when they make their debut performance in New York on Saturday, February 18th. More information can be found here.