Customer Reviews

Bullfrog Featuring Kid Koala

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

People who dump on this album are just thinking way too hard. This is just fun music. Maybe not the best or most groundbreaking record ever made, but put it in and you'll be smiling, and sometimes that's just all you need out of a record.

I am a huge fan of Bullfrog. Right up since I saw the first Kid Koala music video I have taken a huge intrest in his work, and after downloading about 20 MP3s and buying the album I couldn't help checking out some of his other projects, some of which include "Deltron 3030" and "Gorillaz", but more notably this live funk/rock/hip-hop/jazz set called "Bullfrog".
Previously named "Public Enema" (they changed it for marketing reasons, this is a quirky ensemble consisting of Joanna Peters on Percussion, Massimo Sansalone on Drums, Peter Santiago on Bass, Mark Robertson on Guitar, James "Blurum 13" Sobers on the Mic, and the famous Eric "Kid Koala" San on turntables.
Although when I first heard of them, I thought they were merely a back set for Kid Koala's talents, but after hearing them live in Toronto, I realized they are so much more.
They do a great job of stirring up the crowd, with tunes ranging from the catchy "Nice Try" to the quirky "Extra Track II". The Band showcases Mark on the Guitar, James on the Mic, and the Kid on the turns, and when they groove, there is nothing they can't do. Not to say that the other members arent stellar.
This album is pretty much a collaboration of their earlier works (yes, they went nine years without a label), with some great rapping, chiming guitars, driving beats, and quirky samples. Many of the songs, like "Snakeskin" or "Alright - Music for More Morning People" show heavy influence from Kid Koala and even nods to some of his recordings, and with reason. He is a brilliant guy and definately a great asset to the bad.
The band is very eclectic, with some tracks like "Jessica Ends" and "Hello" are short, but interesting Koala/Blurum sets, while other tracks like "Hotel Food", "Snakeskin" and the amazingly beautiful "Shine" are great, fun and fun-ky tracks. When the band rocks, it rocks, and overall this is a fun, energetic album. Although the only real way to capture the Bullfrog essence is to see them live, this album does a pretty good job, and as long as you have an open mind this album is more than worth picking up.

I wasnt sure who Bullfrog was until i walked in on them a couple years back opening up for robert randolph at the House of Blues. Somebody bought this CD there and let me put it on my MD. I've been listening to this CD for about 3 years now and it is still kick'n. Kid Koala ands a nice touch to some of the tracks too. Catch em both live, good shows.

I don't understand some previous reviews...this album is excellent, kid koala's touch, good spirit, original and creative music...YES !

Hmm, I've gotta disagree with the reviewer who rated this just another funk band with some scratching. Kid Koala takes a lead role in this band, and is not relegated to some background scratching as is often the case. The integration of the turntables is also far beyond what you might normally hear. This isn't a group where the DJ takes a break to show off his funky beats, Kid Koala meshes his skills seamlessly with the rest of the band. To top it off the vocals are superb, straight out of the congregation. This band is up there with the best of the new hip hop/soul/funk (Breakestra, Dakah, and Medusa).

I've owned this CD for a while, but haven't listened to it in at least a year. I got it out again specifically to write a review. My 'second' impressions:

Bullfrog is almost there. They have their sound pretty well developed -- complete with funky basslines, tight drumming, and backup Phish-style horns on two tracks -- but overall it's simply not that interesting. The obvious high points are the contributions from turntablist virtuoso Kid Koala, but even they are not as strong as his solo efforts. In fact, he's almost lost in the mix here, with Mark Robertson's less-than-witty "improvisational raps" taking center stage.

Like many sub-par "jam" band recordings, Bullfrog has has made a record that (in fifty minutes) never really goes anywhere. I've been told the live show is pretty rockin', and I can believe it. There is potential here, but the studio atmosphere did not capture it very well -- even with the few live tracks interspersed throughout.

For some good Koala turntablism, check out "Extra Track II" (#8) and "Allright: Music for Morning People" (#15).

There are moments of brilliance on this CD, and in the group's live shows, most of which involve the interaction of the group with their world-class DJ, Kid Koala. What fills up the majority of their time however, is some rather flat, uninspired, generic "old school" funk. Blurum on the mic has a great voice and rhythm to spare, but his rhymes are dispassionate and forgettable. Tired jams and retread grooves lead you to wonder if this is just a colossal mismatch of talent, or if it's actually a host of good talent with nothing much to say. If you're searching for something really special to spend your money on, my advice is to keep looking.

After getting an opportunity to experience these guys live at this years SXSW festival in Austin, I immediately went out and bought the CD. I can't really even describe the sound exactly, but it is totally fresh, the rhymes are dope, and Kid Koala takes a backseat and meshes his talents seamlessly with the rest of the crew. Highly recommended.

This album is lots of fun! There are a couple tracks that are laid back,
but overall it's a stone funkin' groove.

Montreal quartet Bullfrog brought their act New York and the rest of the U.S. a few years back, but it was not until they teamed with acclaimed cut and scratch man Kid Koala that they began landing gigs nation-wide and gaining notoriety. This month, Ropeadope, the NY-based label that also handles DJ Logic, released the band's first ever LP. Between the unique, poly-vocal stylings, soulful guitar, creative drum and percussion work, and the mixes by Koala this album delivers multiple styles with the same laid back attitude. This is some grass-smoking, beer-sipping music all around, but some joints are quite suitable to dance to as well. The emceeing on the record is the Gift of Gab meeting Mos Def, while the other vocals range from old-soul Otis Redding to Ben Harper/Jack Johnson styles with a mix of beat-boxing and doo-wop. The mixing of sounds on this record is so subtle that is really takes better quality recording to pull it off. Ropeadope did a much better job with the Logic releases, but nonetheless this album is very much worth buying. Pick this up and have some fun for once