Rare Blend
See all pictures (10)
9,548 plays
77,744 views
77,744 views
Rare Blend is a quartet from Cleveland pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles from jazz to progressive rock, jam band, to world music.Band/artist history
For over 15 years, Rare Blend’s music resonates with purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original instrumental music. Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles, Rare Blend continues to receive favorable press reviews, and radio airplay, performing at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs.
Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others...
Started in 1993, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion as a duo. Recorded and produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi Holt, Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues in Ohio.
In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer Paul Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare Blend added additional musical texture to the original concept and took the live performance to a new level.
CD album recordings added to the catalog to date:
1 CINEFUSION (1995)
2 INFINITY (2000)
3 EVOLUTION THEORY (2002)
4 STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006) Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006.
5 SESSIONS (2009) With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007.
Rare Blend continues to write, record, and perform at various concert clubs and outdoor festivals throughout the year and is looking forward to incorporating on the spot improvisations to audiences in 2010.Your musical influences
Santana, Vital Information, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gamalon, Weather report, Rush, Billy Cobham, Tribal Tech, Pink Floyd, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Tangerine Dream, Phish, Ozric Tentacles, Jeff Beck, Genesis, etc..Anything else?
What a supremely tight, high energy (Rare Blend) performance yesterday evening at the Beachland Ballroom. Incredible band! -(Robert Menser - WJCU 88.7 FM Cleveland)
"RARE BLEND can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with BRAND X and the best of the progressive/jazz/fusion groups, and Sessions is as good as anything recorded by their peers. Highly recommended to aficionados of fusion and improvisational jam bands". (Joseph Shingler - Prognaut.com)
"Great show... Rare Blend is my favorite thing about Cleveland." (Rick & Roll - Delicious Agony)
"Rare Blend was one of the best shows I have seen at Orion Studios in Baltimore. " (Marla - RB Fan - Maryland)
"These tracks exhibit the bands knack for agreeable pacing and smart use of breathing space. In competently mining the heady realms of Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc., Rare Blend joins exclusive company. (Progression Magazine)
Rare Blend is a very seasoned group from the Cleveland, Ohio area. "Stops Along The Way" is what I would call a jazz/fusion jam band album. I have heard a lot of mixed feelings about jam bands but when it sounds good you can’t deny that the players know what they are doing. (Jimmy Caterine / Guitarnoise.com - Canada)
"Stops Along the Way" is for those who prefer to take their time and sightsee. It’s meant for those who stop to smell the roses each time and also appreciate every detail. The performance of these musicians is extremely patient, giving the listener a chance to process each piece and suck it all in. (Joshua Turner / Upbeat and More - Milwaukee, WI)
Wonderful compilation of tracks. I have been waiting for this release (SATW) since the announcement of a new project was in the works. Get this one, and then you're hooked. You'll get the other three, like I did. (Larry Thomas - Rare Blend Fan)
I recently took a trip to Cleveland and happened upon a radio station ( 89.3 ) I believe, and heard some of your music. I was blown away, mostly because I too was a professional musician in the late 70s early 80s and enjoyed this style of music. It is refreshing to hear that it is still as alive as it was then! (Jimmy Valentine - RB Fan)World Music
15 songs · 12 artists
By @Not For The Mainstream
((( Net Dot Radio )))
200 songs · 22 artists
Blocks of world, jazz, rock, ethnic, and other fusion music.
By @netdotmusic
vanny66's station
178 songs · 82 artists
By @vanny66
Prog 'n stuff
12 songs · 12 artists
By @the lackey
tsmprod's station
8 songs · 3 artists
By @tsmprod
The Astonishing Ones 2
200 songs · 181 artists
Selections from my friends network
By @The Astonishing One
violincyndee2
7 songs · 1 artist
By @violincyndee
ohnojazz
79 songs · 43 artists
jazz
By @wy2blessed
nealseamon's station
91 songs · 80 artists
By @nealseamon
Nice one, great performances by all, very good production too.
Take care,
Mauri.Listening to one of your CDs now! WOW!!! You rock majorly!!!!!!!! Hope you like UFOsmosis as well..
Have a ssssssssssssppppppaceyyyyyyy weekend!AMAZING set at Orion last night!! WOW!! You rock majorly!!!!!!!I totally plan on going to the Orion gig! Btw.. just let me know if you'd like the VIPER to tag along with me. And: if you wanna join me (and my husband) for some YUM veggie dinner before the gig.
ssssssssssssspaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeAll comments (8)
9,548 plays
77,744 views
77,744 views
Admin
Vic
@tsmprod
Do I detect some Jeff Beck (one of my favs) influences here? I saw him here in Australia last year. Great stuff guys, 'enjoyed the listen:)! Take care, Mauri.