Scribe for the Tribe is a local acoustic/electric power trio based in Buffalo. "Musick," was released in December of 2007. Scribe for the Tribe consists of: Charlie Forness on lead vocals, guitar/lyricist, Joe Garrigan on bass and Steve Wellenc on percussion/graphic design.
When I first saw them as a trio I became awestruck. If you have ever followed the progression of a single band, you build an inner sense of pride. Scribe for the Tribe has done just that for me. They are making it, have made it, and they are performing. It's phenomenal.
"Mess In My Wake" is where you get a taste of percussion. The reverb on drums with chord changes is ethereal. Lyrically, this tune takes you deep within yourself. "I sit around . . . I sit around now while my soul stagnates . . . I been around I been around while the world deflates . . . and I see the light . . . "
"Heaven" stands out from the rest on this compilation. This is a tribute to the one who shares Charlie's life. His wife, Nichole. Upbeat and jazzy, the listener is left with the notion that the act of of coming home is Heaven. The harmonizing here is lovely. This is pristine.
Scribe for the Tribe is essentially, an acoustic poet, a rock bassist and a metal percussionist combined into the force of one band. Each of them are prodigious musicians. Together, they create something quite singular. Poetry and jazz incensed with blues accelerated through metal.
Get a hold of the guys at: http://www.myspace.com/ScribefortheTribeMusic. "Musick" is a masterpiece scattered with bongos, drums, bass, harmonies, acoustics, poetry and soul. To see them live is the only way to experience all of this combined.
Standing on the sidelines, I chronicle Scribe for the Tribe as unconventional, monumental and absolute.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Phantasm ~ Clever Cunning Actor
Platonic idealism is the theory that the reality around us is a reflection of a higher truth. The truth, Plato argued, is the abstraction. That abstraction, IS Phantasm. Get ready to enter a new realm. One that is powerful, intricate, and beautiful with clever colors dancing together in a pale moonlight.
Phantasm consists of: Steven Ross, lyricist, vocals, lead guitar; Jay Yachetta, percussion, graphic design; and Aaron White on bass. This trio has performed from Buffalo to Ohio and I was lucky enough to see them LIVE in Buffalo performing Clever Cunning Actor. Recorded at Disaster Studios in Erie, PA, this 12 track CD is phenomenal.
The fifth song on the album, "Two Left Feet," sets you on a roller coaster ride with a funky, jazzy back beat. This tune is ripe with continuous movement interspersed with hard rock, metal and turntables. Ross' vocal range is to be envied. In a second, he is able to switch from high-pitched screeching to low tone speaking. This trio is a powerhouse apparent in the chorus: "We've come to blow your minds, with our napalm flavor and rips of doom."
The 8th track, "Hey Star," is the path of all artists and corporate America. Yachetta starts us out with a laid back high hat with Ross on vocals and White growling in with his bass. As the tune progresses, drums, vocals and bass elevate in precision. When you listen closely, you can see how in tune the three of them are with one another. They are the same while performing. 100% in control.
"Divide. Conquer. Repeat." showcases all three of these talented individuals. This is my favorite tune. Ross leads alongside tones and turntables with White's steady bass. Yachetta jumps right along with the rise and fall of the vocals. All three of them are tight. Percussion is bold and tribal. This is an anthem.
The last track, "Polyethylene Death Dream," is a masterpiece. Rarely do you see musicians perform with an intense range of talent timing at 15:43. It is difficult to describe everything heard in this tune, let alone the entire CD. There are soundscapes throughout, especially in the end.
In order to experience the utter beautiful madness that is Phantasm, visit them at: http://www.enterthephantasm.com.
I suggest you do not miss them.
Phantasm consists of: Steven Ross, lyricist, vocals, lead guitar; Jay Yachetta, percussion, graphic design; and Aaron White on bass. This trio has performed from Buffalo to Ohio and I was lucky enough to see them LIVE in Buffalo performing Clever Cunning Actor. Recorded at Disaster Studios in Erie, PA, this 12 track CD is phenomenal.
The fifth song on the album, "Two Left Feet," sets you on a roller coaster ride with a funky, jazzy back beat. This tune is ripe with continuous movement interspersed with hard rock, metal and turntables. Ross' vocal range is to be envied. In a second, he is able to switch from high-pitched screeching to low tone speaking. This trio is a powerhouse apparent in the chorus: "We've come to blow your minds, with our napalm flavor and rips of doom."
The 8th track, "Hey Star," is the path of all artists and corporate America. Yachetta starts us out with a laid back high hat with Ross on vocals and White growling in with his bass. As the tune progresses, drums, vocals and bass elevate in precision. When you listen closely, you can see how in tune the three of them are with one another. They are the same while performing. 100% in control.
"Divide. Conquer. Repeat." showcases all three of these talented individuals. This is my favorite tune. Ross leads alongside tones and turntables with White's steady bass. Yachetta jumps right along with the rise and fall of the vocals. All three of them are tight. Percussion is bold and tribal. This is an anthem.
The last track, "Polyethylene Death Dream," is a masterpiece. Rarely do you see musicians perform with an intense range of talent timing at 15:43. It is difficult to describe everything heard in this tune, let alone the entire CD. There are soundscapes throughout, especially in the end.
In order to experience the utter beautiful madness that is Phantasm, visit them at: http://www.enterthephantasm.com.
I suggest you do not miss them.
MC Vendetta ~ My 2 Cents In
MC Vendetta aka Janna Willoughby in collaboration with DJ Khemikil, the alter ego of Jessica Neilsen, joined forces as females extraordinaire to produce, "My 2 Cents In." This 12 track CD features Godfrey "G-Man" T, and "D.C." recorded in Buffalo NY and Swannanoa, NC, at North Carolina Warren College. Vendetta and Khemikil set you up for the ride of your life as you step out of your world into theirs. I present to you, MC Vendetta and DJ Khemikil.
This is "Velvet Krème".
"My 2 Cents In", is a poetic socio-political stance on the world viewed through genres such as rap, hip-hop, spoken word, vocals, and performance. With Khemikil on music and back up vocals, and Vendetta on the mic, they manage to meld boundaries many artists would not dare to venture. This is apparent in liner notes by Vendetta: " . . . we call it B-Low, where it takes so long for the grass to grow, and everyone you meet knows two people that you know and the winter takes so long it's all slow, with the snow, I grew up in the cold in this old, kinda rundown town."
If you have witnessed one of their performances, you are familiar with the 2nd track, "Memorize My Name." This is the trademark of MC Vendetta. On the 8th track, "Global Flow", Vendetta speaks of the state of the nation: "Organization stops globalization, and civilization needs interrelation, by my observation, across this fair nation, I see that we're run by some big corporation. We're supposed to be equal; we're supposed to be free, but America's chained to this box called TV . . ."
The 6th track, 'AntiTrust" is an anthem: " Believe what you want, believe what you must, Believe what you want and believe what you must, just look underneath when the stories get rust, for they must decompose and turn back into dust, for that's where we all came from, and that's all that I trust."
You must see a live performance. Vendetta is in a class of her own, as a woman onstage making waves with her poetry and voice. You can catch her at: http://myspace.com/mcvendetta. Her personal website showcases her artwork, poetry, bio, handmade journals and photo albums at: http://www.angelfire.com/stars5/papercraftmiracles/
MC Vendetta can also be found at area venues and the Buffalo "infringement" Festival @: http://infringebuffalo.org/IF08/M088. She is raw, she is real, she is Buffalo. Most of all, she is a poet and an artist who cares deeply about the state of our nation. Grab the CD, check out her artwork and get to the Infringement Festival.
Open your eyes to reality. This is MC Vendetta. This is DJ Khemikil.
Welcome to their world.
The world of "Velvet Krème "
This is "Velvet Krème".
"My 2 Cents In", is a poetic socio-political stance on the world viewed through genres such as rap, hip-hop, spoken word, vocals, and performance. With Khemikil on music and back up vocals, and Vendetta on the mic, they manage to meld boundaries many artists would not dare to venture. This is apparent in liner notes by Vendetta: " . . . we call it B-Low, where it takes so long for the grass to grow, and everyone you meet knows two people that you know and the winter takes so long it's all slow, with the snow, I grew up in the cold in this old, kinda rundown town."
If you have witnessed one of their performances, you are familiar with the 2nd track, "Memorize My Name." This is the trademark of MC Vendetta. On the 8th track, "Global Flow", Vendetta speaks of the state of the nation: "Organization stops globalization, and civilization needs interrelation, by my observation, across this fair nation, I see that we're run by some big corporation. We're supposed to be equal; we're supposed to be free, but America's chained to this box called TV . . ."
The 6th track, 'AntiTrust" is an anthem: " Believe what you want, believe what you must, Believe what you want and believe what you must, just look underneath when the stories get rust, for they must decompose and turn back into dust, for that's where we all came from, and that's all that I trust."
You must see a live performance. Vendetta is in a class of her own, as a woman onstage making waves with her poetry and voice. You can catch her at: http://myspace.com/mcvendetta. Her personal website showcases her artwork, poetry, bio, handmade journals and photo albums at: http://www.angelfire.com/stars5/papercraftmiracles/
MC Vendetta can also be found at area venues and the Buffalo "infringement" Festival @: http://infringebuffalo.org/IF08/M088. She is raw, she is real, she is Buffalo. Most of all, she is a poet and an artist who cares deeply about the state of our nation. Grab the CD, check out her artwork and get to the Infringement Festival.
Open your eyes to reality. This is MC Vendetta. This is DJ Khemikil.
Welcome to their world.
The world of "Velvet Krème "
Haale ~ No Ceiling
Haale is defined as: "Halo Around The Moon.' Of Iranian descent yet Bronx born, Haale (as in halle-lujah), released "No Ceiling" a melding of Persian mysticism with American 1960's dream wave psychedelia.
This 10-track disc features artists such as: Haale Gafori: vocals, electric guitar, lyrics, setar, Dougie Bowne: lyrics, Shahzad Ismaily: acoustic/electric guitars, electric sitar, bass, Mike Gamble: electric guitar, Steve Cohen: bass, Matt Kilmer: percussion, bass, acoustic/electric guitars, Doug Weisleman: electric guitar, bass clarinet, wooden flute, Christopher Hoffman: cello and Johnny Gandelsman on violin.
Haale has performed from France to Carnegie Hall sharing stages with Sean Lennon, Hugh Masakela and Odetta. This debut full length CD was co-written with Dougie Bowne, produced by Matt Kilmer and mastered by Fred Kevorkian. The art direction, photography and design are credited to Haale, Kevork Mourad, Matt Kilmer and Matthieu Mangaretto from Marseilles, France.
Fascinating aspects on this compilation lie in the lyrics. Haale sings in both Persian and English, inspired by Persian poetry. This is apparent in the 4th track, "Chenan Mastam", "Masti" meaning a state of ecstasy, intoxication and serenity and "Chenan Mastam" meaning "I'm so mast" as in "smashed on the great big everything" according to Vonnegut. Haale's deep-throated vocals combined with percussion bring you right into her realm. She flawlessly switches from English to Persian, equally erotic and enlightening.
The title track, "No Ceiling" begins with a rock n roll guitar riff. Haale calls out: "I go on my way, the feeling grows, no ceiling" with an orchestral unification of bass, drums and clarinet beside her. "Ay Dar Shekasteh" is entirely sung in Persian using lyrical poetry from Rumi. The bass, guitar, vocals and percussion place you in a different time while Haale soars: "Ay dar shekastah jaamah ma Ay bardareedeh daameh ma" Her music is meditative, spiritual, poetic, traditional and everything that is not today.
Connect to Haale at: http://www.haale.com/ to get her limited edition 10 track CD entitled, "No Ceiling." Connect to her my space, press, bio, store and tour schedule. The artwork on the CD jacket alone is stunning.
This 10-track disc features artists such as: Haale Gafori: vocals, electric guitar, lyrics, setar, Dougie Bowne: lyrics, Shahzad Ismaily: acoustic/electric guitars, electric sitar, bass, Mike Gamble: electric guitar, Steve Cohen: bass, Matt Kilmer: percussion, bass, acoustic/electric guitars, Doug Weisleman: electric guitar, bass clarinet, wooden flute, Christopher Hoffman: cello and Johnny Gandelsman on violin.
Haale has performed from France to Carnegie Hall sharing stages with Sean Lennon, Hugh Masakela and Odetta. This debut full length CD was co-written with Dougie Bowne, produced by Matt Kilmer and mastered by Fred Kevorkian. The art direction, photography and design are credited to Haale, Kevork Mourad, Matt Kilmer and Matthieu Mangaretto from Marseilles, France.
Fascinating aspects on this compilation lie in the lyrics. Haale sings in both Persian and English, inspired by Persian poetry. This is apparent in the 4th track, "Chenan Mastam", "Masti" meaning a state of ecstasy, intoxication and serenity and "Chenan Mastam" meaning "I'm so mast" as in "smashed on the great big everything" according to Vonnegut. Haale's deep-throated vocals combined with percussion bring you right into her realm. She flawlessly switches from English to Persian, equally erotic and enlightening.
The title track, "No Ceiling" begins with a rock n roll guitar riff. Haale calls out: "I go on my way, the feeling grows, no ceiling" with an orchestral unification of bass, drums and clarinet beside her. "Ay Dar Shekasteh" is entirely sung in Persian using lyrical poetry from Rumi. The bass, guitar, vocals and percussion place you in a different time while Haale soars: "Ay dar shekastah jaamah ma Ay bardareedeh daameh ma" Her music is meditative, spiritual, poetic, traditional and everything that is not today.
Connect to Haale at: http://www.haale.com/ to get her limited edition 10 track CD entitled, "No Ceiling." Connect to her my space, press, bio, store and tour schedule. The artwork on the CD jacket alone is stunning.
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