|
|
|
|
ONOFFON |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ONOFFON
- Surrender Now - earBuzz Rating: 7 out of 7
"It's rare that you find the potentially mainstream popular
music within the home of convincingly accomplished musicians -
but we do here if only someone would take action. . . With the
record buying public 13-16 it's no wonder that we have bands like
Spice Girls and Ricky Martin leading the charts, and also why
substantially talented artists like OnOffOn move to the internet
and the independent music arenas to gain their audience. We surrender,
and all illusions of mainstream music go by the way-side as this
gathering of music masters and off-the-wall creativity play with
our ears. They don't follow their own advise when they sing to
'release perfection' - this is about as perfect as you'll find.
Jazz/Funk/Folk/kitchen sink - Surrender Now is a gem."
ONOFFON
- Your Mind - earBuzz Rating: 6.5 out of 7
"OnOffOn's release Your Mind captures the essence of what
makes music art. Their chosen mp3, Bebe's Song, is nowhere near
representative of what to expect from this collection of pure
and tasteful work. Acid Jazz and fusion, mixed with growling vocals
or loungy crooning with extended chordings throughout. There's
hardly a music lover who wouldn't start a collection - delightful.
An added bonus is the gorgeous 12 panel 4-color sleeve, half of
which is dedicated to La Galerie d'Onoffon - an erotic collection
of color shaded female form and faces while the balance provides
lyrics and intelligent narrative."
Jason Spatola of Local Music Store Reviews (WV, U.S.A.):
ONOFFON
Your Mind
"ONOFFON, the progressive jazz-rock trio from California, has once again achieved perfection with their second release, Your Mind. This one is a bit jazzier as a whole, but there are plenty of musical styles here, from hard rock to swing, odd (yet very well done) experimentation to solid jazz instrumentals. The album opens with the title track, a powerful, primal groove with some of Dave Goode's finest drumming yet. There are also great backing vocals, funky bass and rhythm guitar, and wild flanging effects thrown in to keep things interesting. After the explosive ending of "Your Mind" comes the album's first of three instrumentals, a wonderful, mellow song called "Shadowglass". This one features some melodic flute playing by additional musician Glen Garrett, which gives way to a great guitar solo by Don Lake, the band's virtuoso guitarist, vocalist, and harmonica player, among other things. Von Babasin's bass, as well as some piano and synths, give the song a brilliant, distinctive sound. Next up is one of my all-time favorites from ONOFFON: the six and a half minute "Alley Want". Don's harmonica solo at the beginning is soulful, and the chorus is catchy, with great harmony in the background. Glen Garrett comes back on soprano sax on "Mardi Gras", the second instrumental, which sounds fresh and new with each listen. The ever-changing "Ocean's Cry", a track that I didn't like at first but grew on me, pushes Von's funkified, innovative bass playing in the spotlight, along with a great vocal by Don. "Bebe's Song" is a swingin' little tune with Von on lead vocal. Changing rhythm patterns and great production (the dynamics soar with an unexpected buildup in the middle of the second verse) are in store for the next track, "For Hell Sake's". This one has funny, real-life lyrics, presented in a jazzy kind of way. The third instrumental, "Opus" comes next, my favorite song on the album. With Don's acoustic and electric guitars in full swing, you can't help being immersed in the broad soundscape. Von and Dave provide a rhythmic backing for "You Know I Can't" a song with loud/soft/loud again dynamics and a sincere message. Next is "Wet Legs", a rocker with Don's jamming guitar, Von's powerful bass, Dave's extraordinary percussion, and edgy lyrics. The album ends with "Credits", a dizzying reading of the huge list of thank-yous of this self-produced venture that ends with the words "photography, ecstasy, beans" (you'll have to listen to understand it). Your Mind is one of the greatest albums of all time by any artist. I sincerely recommend it to anyone."
Magnus Florin of Through Different Eyes (Sweden):
ONOFFON
Your Mind
"The follow up to the first "Surrender Now" is "Your Mind", from OnOffOn. Well, it's still the same kind of jazz feel to this band, but with one additional thing. It's craazzzy!! The introducing title track are among the most vicious and weirdest tracks I've ever heard. It's as if you take five or why not twenty insane jazz rockers and put them in a hole. Starve them till a close death and then give them their instruments. What happens...? OnOffOn, "Your Mind". There are a bit more guest musicians involved in this album compared to the first album. A bit more elements too, of course. Flutes, are brought in, which is really cool. And more backing vocals, the female kind. Some instrumental tunes on this one too, which can be seen as a relaxing thing. A good break up from the psychedelic atmosphere otherwise generated. A cool album with cool tunes and music. Check it out!"
Kevin Kreiner of MP3critic.com (no longer on-line):
ONOFFON
Your Mind - 10
"The masters of eclectic are at it again. To follow up "Surrender Now," their debut album, ONOFFON have come up with another short hour of cosmic grooves. Beginning with lyrics like "I'm the string bender, and I'm the mind sender" and ending with a sung medley of the album's credits, "Your Mind" is just what it says on the cover. Think of the title track, which starts off with string special effects that summon up funk riffs in the back half of the song, as a signpost that reads "introspection of art rock meets the hip swinging sounds of jazz at the funk intersection straight ahead." Don't worry about packing, they've got it all here for you. As compared to their self titled debut album, this sophomore disc from the Los Angeles based trio of Don Lake, Von Babasin and Dave Goode is less varied, but musically even tighter than the original. There's still a lot of fun here, they've even thrown in some old fashioned swing in "Bebe's Song" for anyone who's been living in a cave for the last five years. Tracks like "Mardi Gras" keep you moving the way jazz ought to, with a single repeating motif woven through a musical narrative that sounds every bit as New Orleans as the title suggests. Of course, it wouldn't be an ONOFFON record without a few sudden changes, and the heavy guitar downbeats that open "Ocean's Cry" bring you from New Orleans to the rocky coasts of rock and then back to smooth sailing in one quick go. It's fun like playing football is, you get knocked on your ass and love every minute of it. Not to worry, guest Glen Garret will pick you up with his flute in the absolutely intriguing "Shadowglass." Look, they even turn the credits into a song, kind of like what They Might Be Giants did all the way back on Flood. I liked it then and I like it now. But the real reason to buy this record, as opposed to just taping it, is the liner notes. Each song's title is presented under a painting, the description of which will stand for the song as well. "Shadowglass," for instance, features a black and white distorted image of a woman, seen from the back, her head lost in shadows. The caption says, "A fluid seduction of signature, rhythm, and syncopation - a haunting vision in lyric melody and non-descript imagery." I couldn't have said it any better."
Donald Donofrio of Don's Music Views (CT, USA):
ONOFFON
Your
Mind
(Self-released NFN 31922)
(This review also appears here)
"The California band ONOFFON is back with their second
release "Your Mind". The band has become one of my favorites
for several reasons. First, they're all great musicians and even
their worst critic has to give them that. Second, they're one
of the most adventurous risk-takers out there. As this disc shows,
an ONOFFON release is a wondrous journey from the absurd to the
absolutely exquisite. The band consists of Don Lake (guitar, vocals),
Von Babasin (some mean bass, vocals), and Dave Goode (drums, vocals).
Their sound is supplemented nicely once again by Glen Garrett,
who brings his sax and flute to the mix, and some background vocals
from Stacey Baltes and Carole Couture-Olivieri. It's hard to describe
this band's sound because nothing is off-limits to them and they
cover a lot of ground. The best description would probably be
to call it progressive jazz but even that doesn't do it justice.
They really have to be heard to be understood and you can't say
that about very many bands today. Let's just say that they're
not only interesting, ground-breaking, and original, but they're
also visionaries. To put it another way, no one is doing what
these guys are doing and what they're doing is thoroughly enjoyable.
"Your Mind" contains 11 tracks. 3 of them are instrumentals
and for my money the band's greatest strengths are their individual
instrumental talents. "Opus" is just an incredible piece
that begins with some soft acoustic guitar and just slowly develops
into an envelope of guitar sounds from Don Lake. "Shadowglass"
is another masterpiece that uses guest musician Glen Garrett's
flute to incredible lengths while still managing to showcase the
3 full-time band members as well. "Ocean's Cry" is the
band's funky sounding track and features some mean bass from Von
Babasin. To close out the disc, the band uses the albums credits
as the lyrics for the aptly titled "Credits". This has
to be one of the most creative moments I've heard in a long time
and the weirdest thing is that it works. Like I said earlier,
ONOFFON really has to be heard to be understood. This disc is
an early runner for the best of 1999 list--and take my word for
it--no review is really going to do it justice."
Jerry Kranitz of Aural Innovations (formerly the Progressive Music Sites Page - OH, U.S.A.)
ONOFFON
Your Mind
(Self-Released, 1999 CD)
"Onoffon follows up last year's debut, "Surrender Now", with more of what is best, and most concisely, described as melodic jazz for progressive rockers. Nearly all their songs are rooted in standard fusion, but "rooted" is the key word here. There is more going on instrumentally and stylistically then simple definitions can convey. On "Your Mind", Onoffon is once again Don Lake on guitars, harmonica, keyboards, and vocals, Von Babasin on bass, and Dave Goode on drums and percussion. Onoffon is less a progressive band with fusion leanings than a song oriented fusion band with progressive rock leanings, though prog fans with a taste for fusion and bluesy jazz will find this band to be rhythmically exciting, toe tapping funky, and tastefully complex in their arrangements. My favorite tracks tend to be those with guitarist Lake's wonderfully soulful vocals and harmonica, and particularly those with guest flute and sax player Glen Garrett (wish list item: make Garrett a full time member). Among the highlights: The title track "Your Mind" opens with lots of plucking at piano strings and then launches into a Chile Peppers influenced funk rockin' bit reminiscent of moments from the band's debut CD. The duel female backing vocals add an avant rock feel to this freaky but melodic tune. "Shadowglass" is a laid back instrumental fusion piece featuring a gorgeously tasteful guitar solo from Lake. And Glen Garrett embellishes the music with his flute which works beautifully in conjunction with the guitar. Garrett's killer sax wails away on "Mardi Gras" in what may be one of the rhythmically strongest tracks on the disc. Dave Goode's Latin percussion work really gives the tune it's power. "Ocean's Cry" and "Wet Legs" are the tracks with the heaviest rockin' feel to them. Though very much a song, "Ocean's Cry" is a good example of Onoffon's adeptness at creating accessible, yet complex melodic excursions. Another of my favorites is "Opus", an ethereal instrumental track that features Lake ripping off a dazzling solo, and this is the track that should be used to suck in the prog rock crowd. A really nice combination of electric and acoustic guitar. In summary, Onoffon should appeal to fusion fans who appreciate creative melodies and soulful songs."