Search - Garaj Mahal :: Mondo Garaj

Groovy ethno-jazz..dig it!

LGwriter | Astoria, N.Y. United States | 09/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Coupla tracks don't exactly work, but at least 2/3 of this is super-delicious soul smacking ethno-jazz fusion. Fareed Haque--half Indian, half Chilean--a master guitarist, teams up with fluid fusion bassist Kai Eckhardt, keyboards player Eric Levy and drummer Alan Hertz to deliver a CD of rare treats that please the psyche no end.



The last track, Milk Carton Blues, is minus Mr. Haque and a nifty little number, but for the full flavor of the band, check out the title track, Junckt, Be Dope, and Beware My Ethnic Heart. These you can't live without if you're a world fusion maven. These guys mix the grooves with the world music thing and do it so well it's a real pleasure.



You can hear the influence of Zawinul/Weather Report on a couple of tracks and that's a good thing; Garaj Mahal has learned from the best, integrated it, and moved it in their own direction.



Cool band. Nice cover art, too. A winner."

Garaj Mahal - The Jazz Rock Jam Band Super Group

We No Speak | San Francisco Bay Area | 01/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LADIES AND GENTLEMENT, GARAJ MAHAL!



Happily, this band has true synergy. In the classic sense of the word that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," Garaj Mahal has no weakness. The band is capable of supreme moments of clarity where time and space expand and you are one with the music. In addition the soloing capabilities of each member is at the level of talent where you are simply mesmerized by how good these guys really are.



The band is an interesting combination of elements with a touch of humor that makes them hard not to like. Kai Eckhardt, probably most noted for his work with the John McLaughlin Trio, and Fareed Haque having a stint with The Zawinul Syndicate under his belt lead this quartet through some Jazz Rock jamming that rivals any "well known" Jazz Rock musician(s), and is by far and away the very best of the now profusely proliferating "Jam Bands" scene. There are other great Jazz Rock Jam Bands to be sure, such as Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Derek Trucks Band, Bela Fleck, Charlie Hunter (Garage A Trois), and of course Phish. But none of these bands can rival the speed, dexterity, and tastefulness of Garaj Mahal. Garaj Mahal are great musicians that can jam at an incredible level, listening closely and reacting quickly, they make it all seem so easy and it always sounds so tasty.



I chose to cite "Mondo Garaj" [Their official studio release] to post this review as an example for a description of the band itself and all four of their official releases. They have a unique sound that is at once recognizable and yet smacks of many great bands and styles. From Grant Green's "Jan Jan", to the Zappaesque "Poodle Vamp", and Alfred James Ellis's "The Chicken", this band knows no limits. Their original compositions such as Hertz's "Make A Hippy Happy," Haque's "Gulam Sabri", and Eckhardt's "Never Give Up," and "Semos" (the father of all "apes" in Tim Burton's remake of "The Planet of the Apes") are perfect vehicles for the unified talent of this band and have an earthy quality that can be summed up in two words "good music".



For Jazz Rock fans, Garaj Mahal is the best thing to happen musically since the 80's. Think about that for a moment. And if I'm exaggerating, may the lord strike me de-, no, no, blind... (Thank you Mel...)



Fortunately, I have a cable connection to my Internet and have downloaded about 30 of their legally taped concerts. I still can't get enough of these guys. What's nice about their official releases "Mondo Garaj", and the three live releases "Vol. I," "Vol. II," and "Vol. III" is the significance of having different songs on each Cd and the recording quality is first class. Even though the band has over 100 concerts for download, you should consider the official releases for the reasons already cited in addition you'll be supporting the band and that's the best way to say "thank you" to a very special band.



In conclusion, no matter where you came from musically, if you're into Jazz Rock, Prog Rock, Jam Bands, Funk Bands, or playing flutes barefoot in a tree (thank you Firesign...), you'll like these guys a lot. Bet you can't buy just one!



Rick Calic

rick@wenospeak.com

wenospeak@comcast.net

Website: wenospeak.com





You may also purchase this Cd from

Website: .abstractlogix.com , or

Website: .homegrownmusic.net



"

Bionic Jazz Fusion

planbee | NC, USA | 12/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the success of Garaj Mahal's Live Vol. 1-3 releases, the world is now ready to hear the first eruptions of this band's volcanic evolution. When keyboardist Eric Levy joined the band, the event took place at In The Pocket Studios in San Francisco, CA. Guitarist and fellow Chicagoan Fareed Haque had tapped Levy to join Garaj Mahal, who were already performing regularly. Veteran bassist Kai Eckhardt and highly sought drummer Alan Hertz, residents of San Francisco, formed a rhythm section of unmatched skill. With Haque's gymnastic six-string workouts and Levy's finely honed keyboard work, the possibilities for the new Garaj were infinite. The quartet immediately captured their sound in the studio, and wound up with more than an hour of stunning material. Friends DJ Fly Agaric, DJ Roto, and The String Cheese Incident's Michael Kang contributed to the proceedings.That was the winter of 2000, and not until now are the urgent, multi-dimensional sonic journeys that comprise Mondo Garaj available for all to enjoy. With moods ranging from explosive to surreal and everything in between, the album is transcendental and technically amazing all at once. The music defies conventional description, but the mix of studied jazz, eclectic world rhythms, focused funk, and spontaneous creation is immune from comparisons."