Circus Mind

Monday, March 24, 2003 5:44 PM
Circus Mind (Outhouse Music)
The moment you get hooked on the self titled release from Circus Mind occurs on track three. A composition that was penned back in 1998, "Ground Zero" comes abundantly to life from the bubbling funk drive of Dan Ehrlich's bass and organic organ fills of leader Mark Rechler through the addicting scratching of D.J. Orion and pure tone of the Rainbow Trout Horns. "Ground Zero" continues on it's funky plane until it morphs into track four, "Plant The Seed." Then things get so downright nasty, they smell, as Buddy Guy used to say. Jen Durkin rips into the recording with her sassy vocals, again backed by Circus Mind and the pumped up Rainbow Trout Horns. Then, everything stops, drops, and turns three hundred and sixty degrees in the opposite direction. All of a sudden, the listener is thrust into the Latin rock world a' la Santana, replete with David Berg and Leo Nocentelli's slicing leads on guitar, and the Cuban percussion styles of Chris Theberge and Circus Mind drummer George Hooks. The result is real butt shakin' "funkngroove" as the band labels it, the product of masterminds Mark Rechler and David Berg.
Claiming to have found equal parts inspiration from their backgrounds in both New York and Louisiana, Rechler and Berg entered into the studio like Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, assisted by a multitude of guests including Cyril Neville, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Eric Krasno, and the Rebirth Brass Band. Once they had everyone assembled, Rechler and Berg feverishly went about the task of perfecting the art of rock album production to create this little gem of funk-pop sheen. The slick, jazzy rhythm and blues of "On Our Way" is filled out by Soullive's Krasno, whose instinctive timing plays magically off of the brass bursts of the Rainbow Trout Horns, Rechler's gentle backing touches and Dan Ehrlich's front and center bass playing.
Strong songwriters, Rechler and Berg create a shining moment on "Spyboy," arguably the finest track on the recording, aided by the soulful vocals of Cyril Neville backed by The Diamonds' harmonies. It contains a wonderfully jazzy Fagenesque keyboard solo by Rechler that enhances the entire sound of the material until Rechler and Berg's studio gloss leads the bluesy ballad home. These guys are good, but you can't help wondering where Circus Mind's real heart and soul lies. Is it in the Sly and the Family Stone funk rock of "Telefunken V72 Brain Stimulator?" Or, the upbeat, inventive "Home Base" that jumps all over until it settles into a ska meets Phil Collins sound? Wherever it is, there is no doubt these musicians have soaked up the rich musical influences of New Orleans and NYC to add another branch to the ever expanding rock family tree. And, Rechler and Berg's manipulation of recording technique leaves one in awe with anticipation as to what their next offering may behold. - Hitting the note - Bill Whiting

Circus Mind's debut album is a cross section of Jazz,Funk, and New Orleans flavored tasty licks. There self titled CD is filled with a distict sound while exploring different nuances and tangents. "Slow start to nowhere with dramatic organ and horns echo's little feat, "Ground Zero" has seeping funk permeating throughout with high doses of New Orleans R&B, while tracks like Homebase ignite a fusion between a specials brand of funk and ska, On Our Way is some James Brown tribute meets a modern soulive feel and "Spy Boy" with special guest Cyril Neville sounds like an homage to Steely Dan.

Circus Mind musical treasure trove of material is destined to be heard on many fronts. And this is only the beginning.

Spring - 2004 - Rikki Lana from Good Times

Funky, funny hard-rocking and full of attitude, Circus Mind comes on like some of the best eccentric artists of the FM era. On the new disc, "Silver Flower,” Singer-keyboardist Mark Rechler borrows Warren Zevon’s warped humor, Steely Dan’s subtle hostility and the James Gangs uptight white-boy grooves. Through it all, the Glen Cove based Band which includes guitarist David Berg, Bassist Chris Crosby, and Drummer George Hooks, shows impressive chops, biting deep into traditional, blues based rock.

The disc kicks off with a down-and-dirty number called “Swing Set” which contains some decidedly strange pick-up lines: “You want to know where the party’s at?” Rechler sing in a gravelly voice. “Well I know a good one with a wrestling mat.” Next comes a simmering mood piece called “Some Things Don’t Change” with Rechler taking apart an unfortunate someone: “Still I can’t figure out why I am still friends with you/ But after you here this you’ll know that we are through.”

And so it goes for 12 terrific songs, each one tackling familiar ground in an appealing new way. Check out the title track, where the band uses The Beatles “Taxman” riff to create a whole new tune or “How Many Days” which melds smooth harmonies and shaggy guitar solos. Even the New Orleans jazz number “Brighter Day” manages to avoid cliché, and it’s one of many sons that put a hot horn section to good use.

Circus Mind could easily settle for being a bar-band and a great one but the songwriting is too keen, too clever for that. With national acts such as Scissor Sisters, Diamond Nights, and Grand Mal successfully reviving the 70’s, there’s no reason Circus Mind shouldn’t get its due.
- Newsday - Rafer 5-25-2006