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Ram - 'Where? In Conclusion' (Akarma)

Mike Reed | USA | 07/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released in 1972,not exactly sure just how many lp's this 'heavy progressive' rock&roll New York band had put out.One source informed me this may've been their sole effort.Couldn't find out much info about them online,as it is.Most impressive cuts here are "Stoned Silence",the complex "Odyssey" and the twenty-one minute epic "Aza".Really dug their semi-Tull like flute playing through out much of the five track disc.I've never even heard of this band,title or CD until here recently when a friend lent me his copy.Line-up:Ralph DeMartino-guitar&vocals,John DeMartino-flute,sax&clarinet,Michael Rodriguez-bass&vocals and Steeler-drums.Might appeal to fans of Vanilla Fudge,Atomic Rooster,Traffic or King Crimson.A rather nice find."

Ram-from start to finish

Robert Cossaboon | The happy land of Walworth, NY | 10/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ram is yet another band in those long line of nameless bands that made one awesome album and then vanished into smoke. Almost nothing is known about these guys, except the band line-up info provided for on the inside of the CD casing. Presumably (from their name and album design) there is some preoccupation with the zodiac and astrology. The songs themselves are a blend of spacey psychedelia and hard-rock: with these guys it is not uncommon to blend saxophone or flute solos with power chords. The opening track, "The Want In You" is an excellent rock song moved along by a catchy sax riff. "Stoned Silence" has an almost siren-like vocal moved along by some funk riffs and a pretty decent guitar solo. "Odyssey" is a softer, more esoteric instrumental that features a nice flute workout. "The Mother's Day Song" is my favorite track. It's a wicked, down and dirty rock song: hard rock, blues and Hendrix (!) are all influences on this track. The last song, "Aza" is what pushes these guys over into progressive rock territory. It is a side-long suite about a spiritual journey for enlightenment. It begins with `Spiral Paths', very seductively with soft sax and flute solos intertwined around an almost whispery vocal beckoning the listener to venture out into the stars; then with `Bound' it practically leaps into a loud crashing bass and guitar duet; "Peril and Fearer" is the hard-rock section of the suite that features chaotic, almost Robert Fripp-like soloing while the same vocal-sax motif is repeated in the background; the final part, `Where? (In Conclusion)'-the title track-tries to evoke an out there feeling with some phased vocals, a disjointed sax solo, and another loud bass workout, and builds to a conclusion that wouldn't have sounded out of place had there been a Funkadelic/Sun-Ra collaboration album. In all, Where is an album that is worth every bit the while to listen to. They just don't make good rock like this anymore."

Good then, Good now!

Jennifer Day | New York | 09/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this music when it first came out in the 70's and liked them then and I am still a fan of their music today."