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'EUFORQUESTRA
The Adventures Of Glen Devey
CD review by Mike O’Cull
Euforquestra is a seven-man jammy sort of band from Iowa City and, judging from their debut CD release The Adventures Of Glen Devey, is also one of the more musically competent and stylistically diverse bands on the scene today. Each member of the group brings large amounts of chops to the table, as well as the maturity to know how to use their skills to enhance the big picture of the band. Jazz, Latin, reggae, world music, bluegrass, space, and rock sounds all inform the music made here and taking in how the styles and grooves interact with each other is what makes this record such a compelling listen.
One of the more unique elements of Euforquestra’s sound is the regular presence of two horn players in the lineup. Trumpet player Matt Bricker and saxophonist Ryan Jeter add much to the top end of the bands’ arrangements on tracks like Sea Miner and Ode To The Sac and, especially on Sea Miner, give the group the orchestral sound from which their name derives. Other standout cuts include Medicine Bow Run, Mandolin Medley, and the epic title track The Adventures Of Glen Devey, which pretty much touches on all the bands’ influences at one time or another over its 16+ minutes. It displays humor, beauty, grace, and skill and is an ambitious effort to include, especially on a studio album. Those who enjoy improvisational music made by talented hands would do well to seek out Euforquestra. They have a unique quality about them that should appeal to those seeking high-end non-pop music.
'~ www.midwestjambands.com '
Euforquestra
The Adventures of Glen Devey - Reviews
Initially a loose-limbed phoenix rising from the ashes of popular area 'jam' band Euforia, Euforquestra has evolved into an incendiary, genre-busting septet equipped with swing, razor-sharp chops, big ideas, percussive percolation and a broad, inclusive 'get on in here' sense of humor.
Brilliantly produced by John Svec at Iowa City's PZM Studios, the ten eclectic tracks on The Adventures of Glen Devey jolt, shimmy, seduce and - ultimately - kidnap the listener over the course of this eye-popping, ear-opening debut disc's generous (but un-padded) 65 minute-plus run.
It's a compelling, commanding aural display; these old ears are positively charged by the group's elastic mix of jazz, funk, reggae, Middle Eastern, bluegrass, Afro-Cuban, rock, South African township, prog and fusion - every bit of which rings true.
Euforquestra's musicianship is top-drawer throughout - percussionist Matt Grundstad (AKA 'Funkmaster Cracker'), fluid guitarist Mike Tallman, drummer Josten Foley, bassist Adam Grosso, keyboardist Eric Quiner, trumpeter Matt Bricker and saxophonist Ryan Jeter positively sizzle, and one-time band member Nick Thompson throws some beauty down via sax, flute and/vocals on five tracks.
Most all of these birds sing, but the vocals - while effective - are not the focus here.
It's all about the slippery, juxtaposed jams, joyful and unfiltered. Major props on the classy, big-league packaging, too.
'~ Iowa City Press Citizen |
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