Review - The Gram - Cunic Ensemble November 2013

Time for honesty - I was asked by John Clarke who is the driving force behind Cunic Ensemble whether I would review his album on my blog - I said yes and John send me the tracks on mp3.

On the Cunic Ensemble Twitter Page https://twitter.com/CunicEnsemble the description of 'The Gram' is Pop/Blues/Jazz/Folk fusion - this is not neccesarily a good start for me - but their list of influences buoys me with more confidence - Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, Alice Coltrane, Stone Roses, Chic, Beach Boys, Foo Fighters, Portishead, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder and the Beatles.

The album really is an ensemble of thirteen musicians and it does have that slight disconnection where say a group of four or five musicians would produce a more generic house sound that might be slightly more cohesive over a twelve track recording.

I am certain though that John was looking for the ensemble feel rather than the generic house sound - so in that respect he has hit the button.

Track 1 - Inspiration - Piano driven, gives way to guitar, striking vocal

Track 2 - Winter Bleak - Fleet Foxyesque at times (surprised they are not an influence!)

Track 3 - Freedom - Is that a banjo I hear?, voices not in harmony but complimentary

Track 4 - Yearning For Spaces - Jazzy, great piano, guitar lead as track progresses

Track 5 - Out Of Here - An Oasis track in the making!

Track 6 - The Gram Jam - Funky backbeat, instrumental

Track 7 - The Dread - Great vocal, simple guitar backing, sparse but builds

Track 8 - Feel The Unknown - Rock voice! 

Track 9 - See Feel - Strong female vocal, jazzy

Track 10 - D Nonsense - Complimentary guitars

Track 11 - It's All Just A Laugh - Jazz guitar, heavy work on vocals

Track 12 - Joined - Very apt title, good harmonies

I actually enjoyed listening to 'The Gram' - it is not quite like anything I have heard before. 

A lot of those influences come through although Nick Drake, Tim Buckley and Alice Coltrane would predominate over all the others.

Overall an interesting, thought provoking and enjoyable collection of songs - very different to my normal listen but hey everyone here's on a musical journey - check out Cunic Ensemble: 

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cunic-Ensemble/192513247455311

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/cunic-ensemble/id665108444