Customer Reviews

Organik

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

 

 

If you've never heard of this group before, trust me: grab a hundred bucks out of the drawer where you hide your 25-year-old First Communion money, run out of the house and just buy their whole catalog. They're that good!

Niacin (vitamin B3, Hammond B-3 organ - get it?) is the "unknown" John Novello on keyboards (primarily the B-3, but also piano and some synths), Buffalo's own Billy Sheehan on electric bass guitar, and the peerless Dennis Chambers on drums. They combine classic rock B-3 atmospheres with lead guitar-like bass virtuosity, and unreal jazz/rock drumming that drives and grooves and impresses all over.

To my ears, "Organik" is the most progressive sounding of their five studio cds, and sort of follows a progression (if you will) that started with their last cd "Time Crunch", in which they covered Crimson's "Red" and Jan Hammer's "Blue Wind". Certainly from their very first eponymous album, they've had a sound that is frequently compared to "an instumental jazzy ELP", so the transition towards more prog rock/jazz fusion is not a big stretch. (The fact that they've been on the Magna Carta label for the last few cds has probably influenced that transition.)

This is a GREAT album with absolutely no low spots. And even though the personnel and instruments (mostly) remain the same, every album by this group is different. I never feel like "O.K., I've got enough of this Niacin stuff now." Where their first couple of cds were more eclectic and sometimes funkier, "Deep" was more bluesy, and the last two are more prog/jazz with a greater variety of keyboard sounds (but still predominantly B-3).

The compositions continue to impress and excite, the production is excellent, and the playing (and interplay among musicians) is just so extraordinary - each member of the group sure sounds like they're 100% committed to this project on every track. Personal favorites after a few listens are "Blisterine" (infectious bass line), "Stumble on the Truth" and "Clean House". About halfway through "Club Soda", there are some background wordless vocals that make that a cool song too.

I love this band. See them live if you can - they're all friendly, down-to-earth maestros.
So, take your vitamins...and buy this highly recommended cd.

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 9/10; Performance = 9.5/10; Production = 9.5/10; CD length = 10/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 9.3 ("5 stars")

"Organik" is yet another strong instrumental album from Niacin. The band move away from fusion a bit on this one and seem to concentrate more on progressive rock. There is more than a passing resemblance to ELP in this disc as John Novello commands his Hammond B-3 to it's full bombastic glory. There is even some music here that could be considered Canterbury. The track "Club Soda" sounds as if it could have come from Caravan back in their hey day. There is also plenty of fusion and funk to be found, and of course Chambers and Sheehan are simply incredible throughout. I also like the fact that Novello moves away from the Hammond from time to time to embark on a bit of piano. It gives the album more variety than some of their earlier work. Bottom line this is another great one from these guys.

I've been following Niacin from the beginning. I have all their CD's. ORGANIK is - by far - the most adventursome of them all. The playing is ratcheted up considerably (which is really saying something when you consider THESE players!!!). Though this is not a CD that you would put on to enjoy with a quiet dinner, it is a great soundtrack for driving long distances on the highway. Just watch out for those speed traps. John, Billy and Dennis are all MONSTER players and this CD is a testament to that fact!

billy sheehan is on this and so i had to hear it. niacin has several albums but i could only afford one.this is more jazz rock prog if that makes sense. brand x and pat methenny come to mind easy to listen to and great music!!!!thank you

Haven't heard this B3 sound (actually Hammond L100) since the Nice, back in the day. Great job!!!

I just ordered this CD so I cannot comment on it just yet but I have seen Niacin 3 times and they are totally fantastic! Each member of Niacin is one of the best at what they do. As a drummer myself I can say that Mr. Chambers is simply incredible! If you love the Hammond B3 then you will love what John Novello does with it, and of course Billy Sheehan plays the hell out of the bass.

I fully expect to thoroughly enjoy this CD when it arrives. I am not sure if they are still touring but if they happen to go your way do not miss the show. Do yourself a favor and check out these world class musicians. And don't hesitate to pick up their previous releases.

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