ULTRAPHONIX
Now then, here's something interesting... a collaboration between Dokken and Lynch Mob guitarist, George Lynch, and Living Colour frontman, Corey Glover. Joined by sticksman Chris Moore and bassist Pancho Tomaselli (the latter played in Philm, alongside Dave Lombardo, and had a 12 year stint in funk legends War), they've formed a new entity called Ultraphonix, and have delivered their debut platter of tunes, in the form of 'Original Human Music'.
An interesting blend of rock (occasionally veering into metal territory), funk, jazz, soul and R&B, all delivered with, at times, a progressive mindset, the songs on 'Original Human Music' are rather good indeed. Lynch states in press blurb that it "sounds like a fusion of early Chili Peppers meets King Crimson meets Judas Priest", but there are definite sonic traces from Glover and Lynch's own careers. That's natural, I guess. But the musical pairing of the two men here, along with Moore and Tomaselli, is a potent one. The fusion nature of the compositions is a fully natural one.
The performances are all top-notch. The expressive playing of Lynch is matched by the depth and richly toned timbre in Glover's vocal delivery, with his core bluesy rock voice coloured with emotion, passion and soul. And Moore/Tomaselli provide an ever interesting rhythmic backdrop for the guitars and vocals to shine. Although, this is not mere "backdrop"... both drums and bass are an integral part of songs' emotional fabric... emphatically so on tracks like 'Take a Stand', 'Soul Control' and 'Power Trip', where it feels like all instruments and vocals achieve an organic sounding synthesis.
'Original Human Music' is just as it says on the tin. It's a very strong album, loaded with first-class musicianship that's fuelled by an emotionally rich core and organically realised fusion. Well worth checking out.
An interesting blend of rock (occasionally veering into metal territory), funk, jazz, soul and R&B, all delivered with, at times, a progressive mindset, the songs on 'Original Human Music' are rather good indeed. Lynch states in press blurb that it "sounds like a fusion of early Chili Peppers meets King Crimson meets Judas Priest", but there are definite sonic traces from Glover and Lynch's own careers. That's natural, I guess. But the musical pairing of the two men here, along with Moore and Tomaselli, is a potent one. The fusion nature of the compositions is a fully natural one.
The performances are all top-notch. The expressive playing of Lynch is matched by the depth and richly toned timbre in Glover's vocal delivery, with his core bluesy rock voice coloured with emotion, passion and soul. And Moore/Tomaselli provide an ever interesting rhythmic backdrop for the guitars and vocals to shine. Although, this is not mere "backdrop"... both drums and bass are an integral part of songs' emotional fabric... emphatically so on tracks like 'Take a Stand', 'Soul Control' and 'Power Trip', where it feels like all instruments and vocals achieve an organic sounding synthesis.
'Original Human Music' is just as it says on the tin. It's a very strong album, loaded with first-class musicianship that's fuelled by an emotionally rich core and organically realised fusion. Well worth checking out.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
earMUSIC
Album
ORIGINAL HUMAN MUSIC
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
53:33
RELEASE DATE:
3rd August 2018
TRACK LISTING
1) Baptism
2) Another Day
3) Walk Run Crawl
4) Counter Culture
5) Heart Full of Rain
6) Free
7) Wasteland
8) Take a Stand
9) Caravan
10) Soul Control
11) What You Say; 12) Power Trip
2) Another Day
3) Walk Run Crawl
4) Counter Culture
5) Heart Full of Rain
6) Free
7) Wasteland
8) Take a Stand
9) Caravan
10) Soul Control
11) What You Say; 12) Power Trip
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...a very strong album, loaded with first-class musicianship that's fuelled by an emotionally rich core and organically realised fusion."
