Reviews roundup – Yagull vs. Jeff Chaz vs. Blackberry Tongues vs. Deaf Whale vs. The Mangoes
YAGULL
Kai
Moonjune Records
If proof were needed that music is truly international, then checkout Yagull who comprise a Japanese pianist and a Serbian guitarist in the shape of Sasha Markovic (guitar, bass, percussion) and Kana Kamitsubo (piano) who are based in New York and ply their trade in what could be loosely described as progressive music.
This album sees them reworking a couple of tracks from their previous album “Films”, a turn at a couple of rock classics in Free’s ‘Wishing Well’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’, alongside some new original material. They’ve also got some guests to flesh out their sound which sees Marko Djordjevic (drums, percussion), Dewa Budjana (guitars) and Wen Chang (violin) popping in to do their thing.
And it’s very good indeed, especially when they add in some seventies prog to their mix of classical, fusion and even folk music. It’s a real treat and should be one that those with a taste for adventure checkout immediately.
JEFF CHAZ
Chronicles
Icehouse Records
And now it’s time to get the blues with veteran Jeff Chaz, a man born in Delta blues country, who has made a career playing roadhouses, fronting a Boston based soul band and opening shows for the likes of Albert King, Cab Calloway, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Which means he certainly knows what he’s doing, and it seems like his soul stint has heavily influenced his take on the blues, as it’s the kind of thing Stax era Albert King that seems to be the main influence, especially when the horns punch through on tunes like ‘Tired of Being Lonely’.
Elsewhere, he’s happy to get his 12 bar on, as well as taking on a ballad in the shape of ‘Dreams Don’t Lie’. He has a very listenable voice and is a really good guitarist, as a couple of the tracks see him taking the guitar front and centre. This, as the name suggests, is a compilation of songs from his previous releases, and it certainly serves its purpose of leaving you wanting more.
BLACKBERRY TONGUES
We Are Open Mouths
Hodgepodge Records
This is quite an interesting one. Blackberry Tongues seems to be the brainchild of one Lauren Michelle Davis, who wrote, arranged, sings and plays keyboards on every song. And those songs are a right old mix up of prog, fusion, art rock, jazz and even some classical.
She’s joined by Kathryn Shuman – vox, Rusty Kennedy – fretless bass and Sean Fitzpatrick – drums/vox, as they journey around a strange set of time signatures, which shouldn’t really work, but in the context of tunes like ‘Circular’ and ‘In My Telescope’ makes more sense than words on paper can reflect. It’s helped by some lush harmonies that root the music in a melody that might otherwise have been missing.
Smarter people than me will probably pick up on the modern classical references, but if you’re looking for something genuinely progressive, then lend an open ear to this.
DEAF WHALE
From Wood And Stone
independent
To Spain now and the dreadfully named Deaf Whale. A trio comprising Jose Roa: vocals, guitars, piano, Gabriel Font: drums, percussion, vocals and Iago Porta: bass, they’re a modern rock / metal band, who throw in a fair few seventies influences from the world of hard rock and even a hint of stoner.
This ten track affair is their debut offering, and they show a lot of promise as they work their way through some good tunes like ‘Of Men And Madness’, ‘Bow Down To Wood And Stone’ and ‘Drifting Into The Dark’. There is a case to be made for an outside ear to come in and listen to the songs at an earlier stage, as some of them do tend to outstay their welcome, but on the whole Deaf Whale have some interesting things to say.
THE MANGOES
The Mangoes
independent
I thought I knew the name Tim Morse, who alongside Bret Bingham is The Mangoes. And while Bingham has placed music on an array of cable television shows, Morse has been playing in a Yes tribute band, writing books and articles on prog, and releasing solo prog albums.
But The Mangoes is a sideways step for both of them, even if it a (gulp) concept album. It tells the story of Billy and Candy’s adventures in the music business, and is made up of short, poppy songs, which hark back to the likes of Badfinger, ELO and an assortment of seventies pop vignette writers.
And as such it’s very good indeed. They can rock out a bit on the likes of ‘The Future (Will Be Ours)’ and hit you with a fabulous ballad in the shape of ‘Headed For A Fall’, a song the young Todd Rundgren would have approved of. If this had come out forty years back, people would be falling over themselves to praise it. So do yourself a favour, and play this one on repeat, especially if your’re still mourning Jellyfish.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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