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NIACIN's ORGANIK
(October 25, 2005)
Label: Magna Carta
More info: http://www.magnacarta.net/releases/organik.html
This new power-trio release, (no screaming guitars
here folks), smokes! Great keys by Novello, super
bass by Sheehan and voodoo drums out the wazoo in
overdrive by Chambers.
Though sent many new "fusion" CDs lately -- I haven't
been overjoyed or overly impressed to date --
but Niacin's Organik came yesterday and it kicks and
grows on ya. It stayed spinning in the player a good
while longer than most CDs that I receive. I really
dug their Time Crunch CD release before this one
and on Organik they have dipped into more of
a prog rock & jazz roots vein. Find much virtuoso
heaviness and density here. Some slo-go tunes -- yes,
but overall jumpin' jivin' jams set the booty bouncin'.
Recommended for Hammond B3 organ junkies -- bassists
and drummers will so dig this scene as well. Axemen,
buy it, spin it, plug up and practice to it. It's a
perfect groovefest to jam with or to just hum
riffs with.
~ John W. Patterson, Editor EER-MUSIC.com &
Creator of http://JazzRock-Radio.com
Niacin: Time Crunch; (CD, 56:12)
Magna Carta MA-9059-2, 2001
Cyberhome: http://www.magnacarta.net
This is a first for me. I open a demo package and am so impressed I begin
the review before the CD is finished. This release is THAT important.
Jazzers will dig this. Fusion heads will get into it. Prog rock fans will drool.
Rockers will bang heads. And anyone who loves awesome keys, monster
bass and slammin' drums MUST grab this. I received this CD and liner
notes "naked" and I instantly assembled a fine jewel case for this gem.
This release is so, so very dense, in-your-face, pumping, groovin',
funked, slick, soul-fired jammin' and darn good fun. I was very tempted to
do dashboard air-keyboards listening to this on the road. This Time
Crunch has the punch, lushness, and full sound of ELP's
Tarkus, (especially clear on "Stone Face"), U.K.'s legendary
releases, and Derek Sherinian aka Planet X's efforts. Sheehan's bass work
is immense, fluid, fast, and furious. Novello's keys are a surround sound
experience with Jan Hammeresque lead fills and solos. Sheehan solos mean
as well. Chambers is a solid powerhouse of relentless pummelings and
graceful powerglides.
This is eleven songs of near-perfection. And guess what? I enjoyed this
CD immensely yet there are NO LEAD nor RHYTHM GUITARS herein.
Wow! I must give this CD a 9.9 outta 10. Otherwise someone might think
I wrote a biased review or something . . . time to hit replay . . .
By the way, Niacin does two prog-fan-friendly covers; "Red" by Fripp
and friends and the outro cut, "Blue Wind" by Jan Hammer. Alas, one very,
very wee complaint: that psuedo-horn, mimed to a Miles-mute-Davis-cool,
via a synth lead on "Daddy Long Leg" was an irksome sound-bank, voice
choice. It sounded ultra cheesy aka fake. Don't use that setting on tour! I'd
suggest instead that fuller Hendrixian-axe setting Hammer used on
"Jetstream" off his Black Sheep and do the Jimi jive next time.
'Nuff said.
~ John W. Patterson, EER-MUSIC.com
Tracks: Elbow Grease, Time Crunch, Stone Face, Red, Invisible King,
Daddy Long Leg, Hog Funk, Glow, Damaged Goods, Outside Inside Out,
Blue Wind
Niacin: Billy Sheehan - Monster Bass, John Novello - Awesome Keys aka
Hammond B3, piano, synths, Dennis Chambers - Lord of the Skins and
phat kicks
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Niacin, Deep (65:37); MA-9048-2
Magna Carta
PMB 1820
208 East 51st Street
New York, NY 10022-6500
Cyberhome: www.magnacarta.net
The third studio album from this fusion power trio packs a two-fisted
wallop and takes no prisoners. Billy Sheehan's bass solos on "Panic
Button" and "Sugar Blues" are highlights, but in truth, much of the
record is practically a bass solo. His sound is crushing - not unlike
the fat tone Chris Squire used to get in the early days of Yes, but
pumped up with even more gain. John Novello wrings astonishing sounds
out of the Hammond B3 organ, and drummer Dennis Chambers gives every
track enough rhythmic juice to power a small country. The
instrumental cover of Van Halen's "Mean Streets" verges on silly,
however. "Things Ain't Like They Used To Be" (not to be confused with
the similarly titled Duke Ellington tune) isn't much of a song, and
Glenn Hughes's guest vocal is overblown, but guitar ace Steve
Lukather contributes tasty licks and a hair-raising solo.
Niacin's sound can get a little wearying after a while, but if
muscular, technically adept fusion is your thing, this is your band.
~David R. Adler
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