ONOFFON was Featured Song Recommendation for
the week of 8/25-8/31/2003 at

"Mardi Gras" - Song of the Day, 8/24/2003

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Read a review for ONOFFON at Gods of Music.com
 

GODS OF MUSIC REVIEWS:

ONOFFON - "Mardi Gras"
by Peter Lauda
Rating: 9.0

"Every once in a while if you're lucky, you find an artist that you have never heard of
before that speaks a language you understand. With the song "Mardi Gras", OnOffOn
has reminded me of this.

The track is a melange of straight-ahead jazz, Latin jazz, and a little fusion thrown in
just for additional spice. At 4:02 the tune wanders through a very tastefully played
melody on an alto sax with supporting harmony from an acoustic guitar. The drums
are laid back yet all over the place. The percussionist shows a great rhythmic grasp and
quite a captivating style as the beat is on, then off, then on, etc. You get the idea. The
parts combine into a fluid conglomeration of expression. There is a liveliness to the track that
gets you into the "I can't help feeling happy" frame of mind. The bass work provides the solid
foundation necessary to support the free ranging melody and harmony instruments.

If I have any criticism it is that there is not enough attention given to the soloists. I would have liked
to hear the guitar play a chorus of solo in addition to the intro guitar work. However, this most likely
is due to the fact that I listen from a guitarists perspective. Additionally the bass could be more aggressive.

The saxophone is the focal point of the track. This fellow can really play. I am reminded of early work
from Spyro Gyra. The saxophonist could be a doppleganger for Jay Beckenstein in that time frame.

My advice to the artist is to give equal time to all the members with regards to soloing. Other than
that, I can't find any fault with this piece. In fact, I am adding it to my personal play-list.

If you are a fan of jazz you will love this track. If you like a good, fun, and inspirational song
in general, you should also check it out. I bet you'll like it too."

ONOFFON - "Opus"
by Chris K.
Rating: 7.8

"Opus is defined as a "literary work or composition, or as a musical composition, especially one
that is numbered to show its place in the composer's published work." Such says the Random
House College Dictionary.

Opus, by Onoffon, is neither numbered, nor a literary work. It is, however, a musical composition.
And, it is a musical composition worth consideration, especially for fans of music that transcends
both jazz and new age. Onoffon sets the stage nicely, layering textured keys over the top of
exquisitely played guitar. It is the guitar work of Don Lake that entices us; moody, ethereal,
and longingly passionate tones offered up as a sort of spiritual vision. Each of the performers
in this vision shares the same, and offers us his part with the highest level of accomplished skill.

Onoffon is, without any doubt, a superbly professional and musically accomplished gathering
of players, composers and engineers. They are one hundred percent independent; they do
everything that is involved in the creation and marketing of their music. And, they do it
with skill, determination, and professionalism.

It is often a challenge to describe music that reaches beyond the reviewer's ability to conceptualize.
This is the challenge I face. What I do have to say is that this is an incredibly nice piece of music to
listen to. The guitar tones are luscious. The synth parts come in unexpectedly; (something I wish had
been gradually introduced) the basic theme drawn out for one more approach before beginning its
ascent to a higher level of improvisation by guitarist Lake. This is not unlike
something I would have heard from Pat Metheny years ago.

The recording it meticulously done, from beginning to end. My only thought as I sit here is that
I wish the places where the synths come in had not been quite so abrupt. But, that is a minor
issue and perhaps I will be the only one who thinks that way.

Bottom Line:
New age jazz worth listening to with a glass of wine, while in a contemplative state of mind."

ONOFFON - "Shadowglass"
by Fred Crowder
Rating: 7.6

"At the outset, the groove of this song is reminiscent of older Jethro Tull or Traffic. Some of
the later tones from the guitar, as well as changes in the progression reinforce this opinion.

A nice groove is set up by Von Babasin on the bass, getting a nice fat mellow tone out of his
axe. It just seems to roll along, taking you off with it. The nice blend with the guitar added sets
up a great foundation for the flute to sing out over the top. Percussionist Dave Goode, playing
in the background, lays down some solid work, filling nicely with some catchy cymbal sounds.

There is a very sweet, almost trance-like quality to this song, as the flute takes you on its part of the
journey. There is some very fine work on the alto flute during its solo, and as it reaches the end of its
trip, a nice almost 'fake ending' sets up the guitar to swell in. Here, Don Lake shows his style, letting
it sing with its 'progressive rock' tone. The guitar solo is very tastefully performed with a diverse
choice of notes played, and as it reaches its destination, a sweet dueling of the guitar and flute creates
a really full sound, which brings the song around to its conclusion; a sweet, drifting ending.

A great 'mood tune' to kick back and chill out to. These guys can play and have some inspiration
coming from somewhere. Well worth the time to try and soak some of it up."

ONOFFON - "Your Mind"
by Norm Bowler
Rating: 6.7

"ONOFFON has an axe to grind. Or maybe it's a Swiss army knife, because they have
more than one blade rubbing the stone, if you get my drift. Then again, perhaps
it's a potted plant that's already sharp enough to slice through metrical murk
and vapid innuendo. How else would you explain the chaotic mix of prog-rock,
hard bop, and do-da surrealism that is "Your Mind?"

The obvious comparisons are to Yes and Frank Zappa, but I am reminded most of
George Clinton and Parliament / Funkadelic. Like Clinton's hot-enough-to-melt-the-tape
funk jams, ONOFFON takes a bunch of talented musicians and lets them go off all over
an unstoppable groove. But instead of funk, in this case it's a prog-rock bass-driven line.
It's played with such intensity and angularity that you'd swear it's in a trick time
like 5/4 or 7/8, but it's straight 4.

And what a 4 it is! The first 30 seconds are a tempoless mix of piano-string plonking,
unidentified squeaks, and what sounds suspiciously like leopard snarls. It's OK, though.
The boys and girls just need to get this bit out of their systems to show us how cool
they are. Then the aforementioned bass-and-guitar line from the musical fun house
kicks in, followed by layers of vocal scat and frenetic fusion-style drums. About 1:25, they
get to the real point, which is "your mind." NFN spends the rest of their four minutes
giving verbal and non-verbal examples of how the modern world does the
non-consensual nasty with our grey wet squishy thinking parts.

All the musicians have great chops, but no-one says "no" to a wacky idea here. As a result,
this song has something to alienate everyone, so I don't recommend it without reservation.
Zappa or Bonzo Dog Band fans (yes, there really is a band by that name) will have a good
time. Everyone else will need to approach this with an open mind. Or an open
potted plant. Watch out for that grindstone."

In support of the families and victims of the New York City/Washington
terrorist attacks, ONOFFON donated "Inside My Soul" to a special compilation
CD whose proceeds go to the relief effort - please consider purchasing
one or both volumes of these fine independent music collections

AlienMP3.com - Music, Models, Aliens

ONOFFON's featured artist for May, 2002

Featured Artist for the week of May 13-20, 2002

INDIE CONNECTIONS 

Juan Barrenchea Herrera of Subterranea (Chile):

ONOFFON
Surrender Now/Your Mind
Indep. 1997/1999

RECOMMENDED LISTEN
GENRE: Smooth Jazz
ARTIST: ONOFFON
WEB SITE: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/7/onoffon.html
SONG: "Shadowglass"
SMILEY METER: 1 to 4
RATING
1) Composition = 4
2) Performance = 4
3) Sound recording = 4
4) Originality = 4
5) Overall impression = 4

  Click here to go to the list of over 320 MP3.com
radio stations with ONOFFON's music
(Current list as of 7/1/2002 - Mp3.com only shows the top 40 stations on our page)

FarmClub ate it - but this link goes to GetSigned.com

ONOFFON is Highlight Artist at Mp3.com Radio

  Yes - that is ONOFFON's Dave Goode touring and recording with guitar
legend, Frank Marino - click the pick to check out their new CD  

Frank Cotolo - Pure Reviews - MP3.com Bulletin Boards

ONOFFON
Various material

"Any group that has the guts to list Aaron Copeland as an influence
deserves intimate attention. ONOFFON got mine. This group deals
with a lot of styles but comes from it from a jazz perspective. Jazz.
Hey, jazz is melody or melodies, blended and concocted and woven
and spun into a feel. ONOFFON cooks it up in terrific tunes like
'Mardi Gras,' which made me wanna sit back with a bourbon and groove.

In 'Please Baby Please' they sing clean, intoxicating harmonies that swim
inside you. It is all so good that you never think about length. That is
music worth listening to; it just is and while it is you are with it, in it.

Aaron Copeland took classical music to a modern plateau and yet never
sabotaged its integrity. ONOFFON does the same with jazz, playing like
jazz musicians should while reaching out and grabbing their own vibes."

Check out this review of "Surrender Now"

ONOFFON is honored to host the online
home of jazz guitarist Michael O'Neill

Hear us and rate us at FarmFreshMusic.com

ONOFFON has been selected as a
Featured Artist for April/May 2000 at

KWEEVAK.COM
Music Promotion Services

Ben Ohmart of the Music Dish:

ONOFFON
Surrender Now

"I've been listening to this bluesy jazz album a couple times before looking in the CD
booklet, and I'm surprised to see that this band only has a few performers. They make
the most out of a few people. Don Lake is most to blame, being the voice and guitar.
First song is the title song, with a Yes sort of influence. 'surrender now / your myth of
freedom / see clear vision / walk with wisdom'. Almost 70 minutes of not too hard,
not too soft progressive or jazz mood, whichever you want to name it, comprised of
guitar, bass and drums, with the odd sax, female backing vocal, etc. Nice long songs
that give you vast instrumental sections and allow you to get a firm footing in the songs.
Take it on a long trip and knock some miles off."

ONOFFON
Your Mind

"A jazz group with some funky sideburns across the riff. "Shadowglass" is a
clean instrumental, fresh with flute, bass/guitar plucking notes right along side
each other, more of a mood than a song, but like walking through a field of
wet flowers on a deserted autumn night. "Mardi Gras'" irregular beat and
Spanish-like guitar pave the way for the starring sax, and it's kindly jazz
that shines down and asks if everything's all right. It is."

ONOFFON is proud to have this review from
the now-defunct pages of SpinRecords.com

"If a musical direction were given to STOP/CHANGE/START - it would express as the
sonic database known as OnOffOn. This mercurial trio could be a living music library; in
fact, they have supplied a variety of films with their wildly experiential musings. Some call
them off the wall, but even more appropriately off the planet, like some satellite randomly
sequencing frequencies and intelligently sorting them into amusingly creative inner
landscapes. Moods run the gamut from screwball to erotic to exquisite. Play them in your
car, and feel like your starring in your own movie, such is the visual peotry and character
stance...This is a group to watch for indie street smarts, they are all over the place..."
.......MORE.......

ONOFFON has been added
to the archives of

IUMA

ONOFFON's "Your Mind" is selected third
Best Jazz Album of 1999 by JUST PLAIN FOLKS

Check out the article with Von at:

IndieMonkey Reviews
Dedicated to reviewing independent music

Talking Back to the Monkey - with Von Babasin

In our last opinion piece, Limeygit took issue with some of the failures of the Internet
revolution and its effect on independent musicians. Von Babasin who plays bass for,
and utilizes the Internet to promote, ONOFFON, a California based jazz rock band
disagreed with several points. So he responded and we are happy to publish his views
on the subject here. If anyone else has any other thoughts on this issue, or wants to
write on anything else related to independent music, then drop us a line.

Paula Edelstein of The Jazz Review:

Featured Artist: ONOFFON
Album: Your Mind
Year: 1999
Record Label: ONOFFON PRODUCTIONS
Genre: Fusion Jazz

Musicians: Don Lake, guitars, vocals; Dave Goode, drums; Von Babasin, bass, background vocals;
Glen Garrett, sax, alto flute; Carole Couture-Olivieri, bg vocals; Stacy Baltes, bg vocals

"Von Babasin's groovin' bass provides the perfect undercurrent to Glen Garrett's fluid alto flute
on "Shadowglass," a signature, rhythmic syncopated vision of lyric melody and imagery. The
California-based progressive rock and jazz band, Onoffon, is a metaphoric companion, fused in
melodic symmetry consisting of Dave Goode on drums, Don Lake on guitars, harmonica, vocals,
keyboards, Glen Garrett on soprano sax and Von Babasin on bass and background vocals. YOUR
MIND is 11 songs that portray the Latin influence, surrealistic hues and the talents of a group
posed on the edge of stardom. Babasin holds down a tight rhythmic set on "Mardi Gras," again,
complementing the soprano sax of Glen Garrett's, in this uptempo crowd pleaser. The sax solo
makes this piece exciting with Garrett's top to bottom command of his instrument and the
percussion attacks of Dave Goode. "Bebe's Song" features Babasin's vocal prowess in a lively
Harry Connick, Jr.-style piece with backing vocals by Stacey Baltes and Carole Couture-Olivieri.
YOUR MIND features some good tunes on this set from Onoffon, an exciting band and one to
watch for in the new century.

Rating: Four Stars"

Check out The Buzzz...

at LocalMusic.com

August '99 Featured Review at AMP3.com Reviews

Doug Cornell at AMP3.com Reviews:

...Which brings us to Onoffon. While not as obscure sounding as King Crimson,
Onoffon nonetheless creates jazz-influenced rock that is recorded with extreme
care. Mostly a guitar/bass/drums/vocals outfit, Onoffon also adds harmonica,
keyboards, sax, and flute to their thick, complex sound. The songs are certainly
jazzy, but won't alienate the more casual rock fan, as the instrumental virtuosity
kept me engaged even as I was scratching my head in wonderment...

Check out Von's dad, Harry Babasin, at:
The Original Jazz In Hollywood Homepage

Read the review of Fresh Sound's release of the
"Jazz in Hollywood" series at

The Jazz Review - Contributor's Corner

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