Music
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Band in a Box
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Oregonian
Sound: Groove-driven, jazz-inspired versions of great rock tunes
Members: Dave Fleschner (Hammond organ), Dan Gildea (guitar), Marc Hutchinson (sax), Andy Love (drums) and Tyler Smith (bass)
Sometimes we cover: Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Blondie, Nirvana, Soundgarden or anyone else who's written a good song.
Why we rock so hard: Although most of our other projects are jazz gigs, we all grew up listening to rock and roll. The Rocktet allows us to reconnect and unleash that hard-rocking teenager who still burns inside.
Who's the slackest band member when it comes to loading equipment? Smith. His standard line is, "Can I help you with something light?"
Who comes to your shows: Jazz lovers, metal-heads, hippies, sophisticates and tons of beautiful women.
How do you handle an obvious onstage blunder? If the audience thinks it sounds weird, we just say it's jazz.
On the record: Five-song demo at www.therocktet.com.
Web site: www.therocktet.com - The Oregonian
I love the way Rock The Jazzbah kicks off with the Blondie classic “Rapture.” Do you remember when that song hit the airwaves and introduced rap and pop all in one song? To hear it immortalized in a rock-jazz instrumental way is very refreshing and quite good actually.
The Rocktet are an ensemble that offers up some great jazz-rock-fusion in all five tracks. The only vocals on the EP are on track # 3 “Humanzee.” Although this is only for a brief time at the onset of the song and then the band goes off into some ripping instrumental breaks. Dan Gildea plays some mean guitar licks throughout this recording and Dave Fleschner fills in the groove with a constant flow of driving organ passages, he is the one the gets the kettle boiling. The rhythm section is outstanding, without that, you have nothing, without the bottom end there is nothing at the top. Tyler Smith (bass) and Andy Love (drums) are quite a hard-hitting rhythmic duo that take care of business and leave nothing to chance. The entire band rocks in a tasteful and very timely way with their fusion of rock and jazz. Let’s say its rockin’ jazz that is the best way to describe it. “Slither” features their sax player in all his glory. Marc Hutchinson has his chops down consistently on this album but on that particular track, he just smokes. Gildea’s guitar is killer as well on the track. Everyone turns in a performance above and beyond the call of duty on this album, which is what makes this such a special outing.
I have no problem listening to this music over and over again, its does not get old or stale in any way, what instrumental worth its salt does really? Rock The Jazzbah indeed, great band, great music, and a perfect title for their album. In a musical sense, this is a home run.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-h
April 5, 2006
- www.muzikreviews.com
Discography
Rock The Jazzbah
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Bio
Tired of standing in the shadows of other artists as sidemen, The Rocktet has burst onto the scene with their refreshing and exciting sound. By applying jazz sensibility to rock, and rock stylings to jazz, The Rocktet and their unique sound can more than hold their own with any band. The bottom line? If it is a good song, they’ll play it, whether it was written by Jimmy Smith or Jimi Hendrix.
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