RUFFYNZ – III (CD)

What could go wrong with a line-up boasting guests like Pat Travers, Pat Thrall, Bumblefoot, Tony Franklin, Dave Meniketti, Derek Sherinian and a line-up featuring the legendary Carmine Appice, Lizards’ bass player Randy Pratt guitarist JZ Barrell and singer Ed Terry? Judging from the heavy funky opening track “Street Corner High” – nothing it seems! Ed has a really cool gritty rock voice with fits perfectly with the heavy funky rock vibe. Killer solos by the two Pats as icing on the cake! Great heavy and analogue sounding mix by JZ Barrell further enhances the experience. “Looking For The Edge” introcuces an almost psychedelic vibe to the mix and Ed actually reminds me a bit of Eric Martin in the verse. With a mix of Bumblefoot and Derek Sherinian adding their vibes to the song it really gets far out (in a good way). “Malevolent Fool” feels like a blues for the new decade. Heavy, chunky and brutal with a modern touch, and Tracy G adding his guitar weirdness to it pushes it yet another bit. “Red Lines” is another heavy and funky rocker with Randy’s fuzzed out power bass leading the way. This one is also adorned with a bit of Bumblefoot geetar majik. “Playhouse” is a slightly softer, almost soul funk-oriented, number that sees Carmine re-unite with his old Blue Murder colleague Tony Franklin. It also features some cool harp playing from Randy (who used to help out in Cactus as well). “Electric Mind Control” takes us back into the heavy funk mode with Randy adding some cool nasty wah-wah to his bass. On this one Vinnie Moore adds a solo. The cool shuffle number “Cadillac Walk” features former Cactus colleague Jim McCarty on guitar, adding some cool slide vibes to the album. “Far Too Long” takes us back into the heavy riff territory. The mix is ultra-heavy with bass taking lead and fuzzing it out into oblivion! Dave Meniketti delivers a rippin’ solo. “Warm Oasis” is kind of an odd number with an almost jazzy touch. The album finishes with the heavy and brutal “Hanging” featuring Tracy G. Ruffynz is Randy Pratt’s baby and it does show in the heavy bass department, but it fits perfectly with the heavy funky vibe of the songs. It’s not your run of the mill funky rock album, but has a lot of interesting twist and turns and the vocal and musical contributions are top notch! A highly interesting album to really sink your teeth into!

Janne Stark

Label: Hyperspace

Country: USA

Year: 2023

Link: https://www.hyperspacerecords.com/