George Colligan seems to have
all the ingredients for a funky good time on his Mad Science trio’s new disc
Realization: his trusty Hammond B3 organ, augmented by various synths and
samples; guitarist Tom Guarna and drummer Rodney Holmes, both veterans of combining
funk and jazz; nine Colligan originals written for the trio; and a band name
that indicates that he’s up to something wacky. The problem lies in those nine
originals-most of them don’t have melodies memorable enough to make a listener
want to follow them as they are transformed through the standard
head-solos-head format.
The title “Human Need”
overstates the case for a wanly wistful theme, “Snidely Whiplash” begins with a
promising snarl but spools on too long in a way no Dudley Do-Right cartoon ever
would and the predictable lurches of “Reminder” make its melody more nagging
than evocative. Mad Science fares better the funkier it gets, with the sticky
groove of “Goblet of Rock” providing some traction and the headlong rush of
“Oblivion” making its melodic material work by not paying much attention to it.
~ Andrew Lindemann Malone, JazzTimes.
Sirocco Jazz Ltd., SJL 1030,
2005
Recorded September, 2004 At
Astoria Soundworks, New York, NY
Musicians:
George Colligan - Electric
Organ [Hammond B-3], Synthesizer
Tom Guarna - Guitar
Rodney Holmes - Drums
Tracks:
01. Grounded {George
Colligan} (6:36)
02. Snidely Whiplash {George
Colligan} (6:36)
03. Realization {George
Colligan} (5:47)
04. Oblivion {George
Colligan} (5:39)
05. Blue Box {Tom Guarna}
(0:48)
06. Human Need {George
Colligan} (7:07)
07. Utopian Struggle {George
Colligan} (7:09)
08. Muse {George Colligan}
(2:13)
09. Reminder {George
Colligan} (4:51)
10. Goblet Of Rock {George
Colligan} (7:11)
11. Stockholm Street
Breakdown {Rodney Holmes} (1:51)
Credits:
Producer - George Colligan
Assistant Producer - Tom
Guarna, Rodney Holmes
Executive Producer - John
Priestley
Recording Engineer - Tim Moes
Mixing & Mastering
Engineer - Kamilo Kratc
Studio Supervisor - Sal Amato
Photography [Band] - Jerry
Ciotola
Cover Artwork [Grey Fox] -
Liza Phoenix
