Midnite's tight, hypnotic bass groove is the rootsiest, most spiritually pure reggae we’ve heard in decades. Not just another party band singing about dope and copping Wailers’ riffs, Midnite’s songs are brilliantly poetic and devastatingly iconoclastic. And they had the guts to record without electronic cosmetics-three mikes and no reverb, EQ, or overdubs.
“This is a really great CD...the term acoustic rock band underestimates their sophistication...excellent musicians who express themselves effectively in well-crafted songs, played note-perfect but without sounding mechanistic...", says TNT Audio. Blues Traveler or Barenaked Ladies are a reference point, but neither capture Yucca’s quirky eloquence.
Frank Doris praises, "...Evocative of bands like the legendary band Love, with its emphasis on plaintive vocals, soaring vocal harmonies and lilting pop songcraft...Exceptional sonic purity, 'air' and resolution of the finest musical nuances, from the 'ping' of the cymbals to the transient clarity and 'pluck' of the acoustic guitars..."
The magic of these intense songs is in their
contradictions: abrasively melodic, visionary but destructive, callused yet vulnerable. Raw,
live-to-two-track unpasteurized analog, the band’s sound rips without an ounce of delicacy. Their shredding guitars, throbbing bass, and the piledriver drums literally rattled the floorboards Mapleshade's studio.
Stereophile applauds, “…a recording to die for…R&B and early rock, but with a totally modern sensibility…one hell of a performance.” Whop Frazier's Motown-steeped, bluesy vocals are backed by a vividly raw blues/rock quartet led by wailing electric guitar and raunchy tenor sax.
Midnight Blue combines urban blues, organ trio jazz, and R&B. Artie and Selena are the soul-drenched singers up front, spicing their tight harmony with salty innuendo, and the band is a who’s who of great R&B sidemen. “Curtis Pope’s trumpet just rips the air at times and the impact of the drums puts you in the front row...great music startlingly well recorded,” says AudioEnz.
Soundstage raves: “It only takes one listen to come to the inescapable conclusion that Al Lee is a guitar player and songwriter of extraordinary ability...I’ve rarely heard a guitar this well recorded...” Years ago Al Lee was recording with UK rock legends Steve Marriot and David Gilmore. This is his return, with brilliant new songs painting a vast palette of moods: basking in the sun, regret and heartache, even a soul-drenched spiritual.
Mesmerizing and unique acoustic jazz-rock versions of hits by Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Dire Straits, The Clash-recorded with unbelievable clarity. Car Audio was knocked out: “These guys tread a musical line between ludicrous and lovely, and come off like circus acrobats whose performances justify the risks...”.
"Not your average blues/folk singer...very passionate and spiritual." raves Musician's Exchange.
If you're into early Dylan or Arlo Guthrie, you'll love Silent Bear. Mark rocks on harmonica, picks a mean guitar, and writes hard-hitting songs.
Bob Margolin writes, “...a powerful performance recorded with stunning clarity and space. It’s a feast for the soul, and candy for the ears.” The band’s powerhouse Hammond organ groove is floor-shaking, the saxes soar, and the electric guitar shreds.
