Rare Blend

Rare Blend - Evolution Theory - 2002 - TSM Productions

On Evolutionary Theory, Rare Blend mixes fusiony guitars with a little bit of electronic and world music. The results are kind of indistinct and bland, though they have their moments of beauty. A big drawback is the guitar tone of Vic Samalot, which is a bit too over-processed for its own good. At times, the band sounds a bit like the Ozric Tentacles as they slip occasionally wanking runs over swirling synthesizers. For example, the so-called "Techno Jam" is really anything but -- instead, there is typical psychedelic guitar soloing over a standard groove-rock drumbeat, with the slightest hints of electronic music in the keyboard effects. In general, if the guitar were a little less ostentatious, it might blend nicely into the textured grooves the band seems more than capable of producing, such as the percussion-driven "Fifty Thousand Years" (which could maybe do with a little less didgeridoo, too). The most interesting playing on the disc comes during "Rod's Migraine," when two relatively clean guitars wrap around each other in a discordantly repeating melody. © Jesse Jarnow © 2013 AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/evolution-theory-mw0000322141

A more apropos name would be hard to find for this Cleveland-based (mostly) instrumental quartet that blends rock, jazz, fusion and world music into a rare concoction of tight, colorful and unpretentious arrangements. Rare Blend’s Evolution Theory sounds like a lazy Sunday morning after a Saturday night of the best sex you’ve ever had. Songs such as the jazzy opener "Little Mean Baby" and the moody "Apochromatic Wanderings" are intricate without becoming overbearing or losing their charm. (Note that only three of the 10 tracks here clock in at longer than five minutes.) The Latin-tinged "Catemaco" begins as a flamenco piece and segues into classic Santana territory, while the funky "Techno Jam" boasts more rock than funk and "Fifty Thousand Years" features a lone electric guitar set against tribal beats and barbaric yawps. But the most memorable track is "Rod’s Migraine," a twisted, minimalist take on the theme from "The Twilight Zone" and a reference to its host, Rod Serling. If only all instrumental albums could sound this appealing … Added: August 22nd 2002 Score: **** Reviewer: Michael Popke, & © Michael Popke © 2004 Sea Of Tranquility http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=331

I’m not really up on all the different jazz types, but Rare Blend plays the kind of jazz that’s commonly associated with the progressive rock folks. They are a four piece consisting of Vic Samalot (guitars), Bobbi Holt (keys, vocals, didge), Paul Stranahan (drums), and Jeff Scott (bass); Kip Reed fills in on bass on two tracks. As I listen to Rare Blend, I’m reminded that a number of Prog-Rock bands of the seventies had jazz leanings. These jazz leanings tended to appear during the long instrumental passages that are so common in Prog-Rock. That is essentially what Rare Blend sounds like: long melodic instrumental passages. They are definitely a guitar-oriented band. Vic is a great player and the compositions tend to support his guitar lines. The nice thing is that Vic is not stuck with a single guitar sound, so his playing is rich and varied. Bobbi adds a lot on the keys. Lots of nice little fills, as well as some pretty cool lead lines. The rhythm section is both powerful and interesting. Jeff tends to go for the loopy bass line and it’s his playing that gives many of the tracks their drive and movement. The drums I found to be flailing and busy, perfect support for Jeff’s low end and the perfect rhythmic background for Vic and Bobbi. Bobbi sings on the final track. It’s obvious she’s sung before and that she’s real comfortable singing jazz. What’s really interesting is the intricacy of the composition "So Cool". The band really tightens up with the addition of Bobbi’s vocals and has a more focused sound. I love how they inhabit the background when she’s singing and then slide to the fore during the
instrumental. I really like this CD. Very melodic and very interesting in a Prog-Rock sense. There is a lot of variety here, while still maintaining a cohesive band signature sound. - From Aural Innovations #20 (July 2002) Reviewed by & © Louis Hesselt-van-Dinter http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue20/rareblnd.html

Rare Blend explores their own "Evolution Theory" by taking music and all its possibilities to another level of audio perception by combining jazz and rock to create a fusion of sound that is both bracing and multifaceted in nature. There is a "Rare Blend" evident here. Music meets man and the ultimate achievement is the conception of sound and vision seen through a projector screen within each individual's minds eye. This all sounds heady in nature, music like this can be that way, particularly when an album image is as thought provoking as the one on this CD. Their theory of evolution takes place in an undersea world were a half-man seahorse like creature seems to be the keeper of the gate to his world. Well, that is my imagination at work; you can come up with your own interpretation. The music however is another matter. Vic Samalot plays King Neptune wielding his powerful six-string, rolling off note upon note of jazz and rock flourishes, backed by a tasteful keyboard courtesy of Bobbi Holt, the princess of the deep. The rhythm section is bolstered by Jeff Scott and Kip Reed on bass and Paul Stranahan on drums and percussion, they are the keepers of the beat. They make their world mysterious with sounds that echo throughout the undersea world. I love music that excites my imagination and creates its own little story in my head. Only exceedingly thoughtfully arranged compositions have this ability, and only the very best artists can finish the process from start to finish. Can you tell I really enjoyed this music? I think I have succeeded in expressing my appreciation for what it is to me and how it could be for you. The only way to write your own story is to listen to it all yourself. Besides the entirely engaging and multihued razor sharp funky fused instrumental tracks only one offers vocals, the bonus track "So Cool." Bobbi Holt has a fantastic voice and one that they should used more frequently. Make no mistake about it though their instrumentals are superior, yet when I heard her voice it just made me melt. What a blessing to have so much talent in one band and have the ability to be so flexible. If you enjoy prog-rock and jazz or any combination thereof this CD is your ticket to paradise. By & © MuzikMan, Jan. 29th 2003 © 1997-2013 MusicDish LLC., all rights reserved. http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7454

Rare Blend explores their own "Evolution Theory" by taking music and all its possibilities to another level of audio perception by combining jazz and rock to create a fusion of sound that is both bracing and multifaceted in nature. There is a "Rare Blend" evident here. Music meets man and the ultimate achievement is the conception of sound and vision seen through a projector screen within each individual’s minds eye. This all sounds heady in nature, music like this can be that way, particularly when an album image is as thought provoking as the one on this CD. Their theory of evolution takes place in an undersea world were a half-man seahorse like creature seems to be the keeper of the gate to his world. Well, that is my imagination at work; you can come up with your own interpretation. The music however is another matter. Vic Samalot plays King Neptune wielding his powerful six-string, rolling off note upon note of jazz and rock flourishes, backed by a tasteful keyboard courtesy of Bobbi Holt, the princess of the deep. The rhythm section is bolstered by Jeff Scott and Kip Reed on bass and Paul Stranahan on drums and percussion, they are the keepers of the beat. They make their world mysterious with sounds that echo throughout the undersea world. I love music that excites my imagination and creates its own little story in my head. Only exceedingly thoughtfully arranged compositions have this ability, and only the very best artists can finish the process from start to finish. Can you tell I really enjoyed this music? I think I have succeeded in expressing my appreciation for what it is to me and how it could be for you. The only way to write your own story is to listen to it all yourself. Besides the entirely engaging and multihued razor sharp funky fused instrumental tracks only one offers vocals, the bonus track "So Cool." Bobbi Holt has a fantastic voice and one that they should used more frequently. Make no mistake about it though their instrumentals are superior, yet when I heard her voice it just made me melt. What a blessing to have so much talent in one band and have the ability to be so flexible. If you enjoy prog-rock and jazz or any combination thereof this CD is your ticket to paradise. Written by & © Morrice Blackwell 06.07.2002 © 2013 jazzreview.com. All rights reserved. http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/fusion-cd-reviews/evolution-theory-by-rare-blend.html

The term “world music” has been used to describe this band’s music, but trying to define music genres is usually a waste of time. A lot of music encompasses so many different music elements that it is just better to listen to music without any preconceptions, (if that’s possible). If the music strikes a chord with you, and it’s “different”, “original”, “creative” and a cut above most of the plastic, commercial drivel masquerading as music nowadays, then usually you have hit on something good. This album does that for me. I found the album to be exceptional progressive electric jazz rock/fusion, (more irrelevant descriptions! (lol)!), and the kind of album I would buy. HR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to this album @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c4iLEpF254 Check out Rare Blend’s “Infinity” album. You can purchase more albums from this band @ cdbaby.com/artist/rareblend [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 110 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1. Little Mean Baby - Holt 4:30
2. Lost 7/8 - Stranahan, Scott 4:27
3. Catemaco - Holt 5:33
4. Belly Dancer - Samalot, Holt Stranahan, Scott 7:20
5. Chillin' - Stranahan 4:17
6. Techno Jam - Samalot 3:38
7. Apochromatic Wanderings - Scott 7:01
8. Fifty Thousand Years - Samalot, Holt 2:55
9. Rod's Migraine - Samalot, Holt 1:45
10. So Cool - Samalot, Holt 5:30

MUSICIANS

Vic Samalot - Electric & Acoustic Guitars: Percussion on Track 8
Bobbi Holt - 2nd Guitar on Track 9: Didgeridoo on Track 8: Keyboards: Vocals on Track 10
Jeff Scott - Fretted & Fretless Bass
Kip Reed - Bass on Tracks 6, 10
Paul Stranahan - Drums & Percussion

BIO

For over 15 years, Rare Blend’s music resonates with purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original instrumental music. Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles, Rare Blend continues to receive favorable press reviews, and radio airplay, performing at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs. Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others... Started in 1994, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion as a duo. Recorded and produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi Holt, Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues in Ohio. In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare Blend added additional musical texture to the original concept and took the live performance to a new level. - CD album recordings added to the catalog to date: CINEFUSION (1995) : INFINITY (2000) : EVOLUTION THEORY (2002) :STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006) :Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006. : SESSIONS (2009) With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007. eMinor, Inc. (c) 2013 http://www.reverbnation.com/rareblend