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REVIEWS
Bass Frontiers Magazine – “The original compositions are spirited and fresh.”.... “It is apparent these cats can play!” ....“This is a great group of talented musicians…”
The Jazz Institute of Chicago –“ …a group of young Chicago virtuosos playing their game at a very high level. …these guys know and incorporate other styles, which makes this a very musical album. The program here consists of original compositions; all of them are different, very interesting and played flawlessly.”
The Illinois Entertainer – “…they've got the chops to serve up an engaging style of jazz…”....“No question about it, if you want your jazz/funk fusion dynamically interesting and playfully complex, then you've got to (get) Kick the Cat.”
Barry Winograd, WXRT – Jazz Transfusion Hour – “These cats can swing!!”...."Some of Chicago's finest jazz talent…a great young band!”
The Bar Fly Magazine – “It's definitely one of the more unique and original jazz groups I've ever heard…”
Members of the band were interviewed on WXRT's Jazz Transfusion. Kick the Cat has been heard on Chicago radio station WXRT. Stay tuned for a transcript.
Scramble liner notes by Howard Levy - “From the beginning of the first track of “SCRAMBLE”, Kick the Cat's new CD, you can tell that you are listening to a band guided by a deep musical intelligence. The combined compositional sense and playing ability of the four band members, plus the excellent recording quality, makes for a interesting and surprising musical journey from beginning to end.
Vijay Tellis-Nayak's compositions are characterized by mysterious harmonies, odd time meters, and unfolding sections that compel the listener's ear to follow the musical thread through twisting mazes. Vijay moves between all the keyboards with ease, contributing some especially thoughtful and lyrical solos on piano, and some very hot ones on synthesizer.
Guitarist Chris Siebold has a seemingly limitless technique. Backing that up is an intensely soulful, expressive drive that makes him one of the most compelling guitarists playing in any genre today. Some of his originals also showcase his fine acoustic guitar and bouzouki playing, an unexpected treat.
The rhythm section of Chris Clemente and Tom Hipskind work perfectly together. Tom is one of the finest drummers I have ever heard, always perfectly in sync with the music, whether keeping time or stretching it with articulate and fiery solos. Chris Clemente plays bass perfectly on all of the tunes, totally at ease with all the rhythmic and harmonic complexity, and always grooving. He wrote some of the funkier tracks, and gets to flash his chops, too. Tom shows his compositional ingenuity on the “Walking on Hot Sand”, whose theme is alternately in 13 and 14, but sounds so groovy and natural that I found myself bobbing my head to it without caring what rhythm it was- it's a groove! Not to mention the smoking drum solo in 27! Drummer Kris Myers also appears on the super- intense “Squirt”, the last track, recorded live. Everybody gets to go nuts- it's a great closer to the cd.
These guys not only play complex and interesting music, but they also have fun doing it. Unlike some “fusion” bands who tend toward pomposity and take themselves too seriously, Kick the Cat's “SCRAMBLE” has equal amounts of groove, humor, and complexity. I recommend it to anyone with ears and imagination.” - Howard Levy |
