Moist Paula’s Birthday Bash w/Chin Chin, Moisturizer, David Poh, DJ lil’ shalimar, and visual psychedelica by Yuko Sueta (details here)

Time is tight and the shows are aplenty – the legendary Ralph Stanley at Celebrate Brooklyn, Extra Action Marching Band, the Parts and Labor record release, Services, and many more. And I will be at Motor City all night spinning behind the lovely and talented Anna Copa Cabanna. But, of all of the millions of goings on, if I could be anywhere, you would definitely find me Moist Paula Henderson’s birthday.

Ms. Henderson, who originally hails from Australia, and who I recently learned that I replaced at Austin’s Sound Exchange record store in the 1990s, has been a major force in New York music for over a decade. When I arrived here she was already busy toting her mighty baritone sax from club to club on a nightly basis – performing with the likes of James Chance, Gunga Den, Tadanoshin, and Reverend Vince Anderson. She’s since leant her rich tone, imaginative approach, exquisite taste, and, moreover, undeniable soulfulness, to the likes of Gogol Bordello, the Roots, TV on the Radio, Princess Superstar, Ladybug Transistor, Firewater, Burnt Sugar Arkestra Chamber, and many more. While you can still catch Moist Paula with the Reverend, Burnt Sugar, and, alone, with her ambitious solo project Secretary (who just returned from performing this year’s All Tomorrow’s Party festival), tonight you can catch her with her no wave instrumental soul trio, Moisturizer.

Featuring her distinctively funky partner in crime, bassist Moist Gina, and a rotating cast of drummers of late (last time I saw them backed by one of Antiballas’ percussionists), Moisturizer’s been laying down the party with both sweat and class for nearly a decade. The rhythm section plugs away relentlessly, refusing to stop until long after even the most static butt is in motion and Paula cooks up a soul stew of, you got it, toneful King Curtis—ish strong melodic white lines, skronky James Chance-ish dynamic contortions, and an occasional warm Eddie Harris’ caress.

Tonight’s a fine opportunity not only to get loose, but to celebrate one of the more important figures in our humble town’s vast sonic spectrum – who’s never at rest at the unique junction of the underground rock, jazz, soul, hip hop, and experimental music scenes. Hey hey Paula – happy birthday – New York Night Train salutes you and the day to day labor you provide us down deep in the trenches of our better musical forms. May you blow eternal…