Wheedle's Groove

"Wheedle's Groove" is a feature documentary about Seattle's long-lost soul and funk music scene of the 1960s and 70s. With commentary by Seattle notable music figures like Quincy Jones, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Mark Arm (Mudhoney), Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), Ben Shepherd (Soundgarden), Kim Warnick (The Fastbacks) and Kenny G, and using interview footage, archival materials, original music, and live performances, the film paints a picture of a thriving and vibrant music scene centered around the city's small African-American population.

Due to a century of housing discrimination in Seattle, 1972 saw 80% of the city's black population living in a four square mile neighborhood called the Central District, or the C.D. Despite the neighborhood being a product of racism, black-owned businesses, black culture, and black music thrived in the C.D. Groups like Black on White Affair, The Soul Swingers, and Cold, Bold & Together played on the local black radio station KYAC and packed clubs every night of the week. Many of the groups started to receive widespread attention with invitations to perform on national television and to collaborate with mainstream acts. Many were given breaks by Seattle native Quincy Jones, who had become almost a messiah-like figure to local musicians. But just as many of the groups were on the verge of breaking out, the fickle public turned its ear from funk to disco, and Seattle's soul and funk scene slipped into obscurity.

"The best documentary of 2010, 'Wheedle’s Groove' is a moving cinematic testament to the pure power of music and not only a tribute to the Seattle soul music scene, but to a time in our nation’s not-too-far-off past when it felt for a beautiful minute like America had soul." – Michael Simmons, Huffington Post