Published on Aug 14, 2000
Here’s a question for you: what would happen if Phish ever dared
to dabble in the world of hip-hop?
I’ll pause now while the Phishheads write their flame mails.
Okay, relax. It’s not meant as an insult. But listening to
Chola’s debut release
Groove The Nation, it’s hard not to occasionally draw
comparisons between Phish and this Salt Lake City-based quartet.
It’s hip, it’s funky, it’s loose… and, most importantly, it’s a
whole lotta fun.
The band – vocalist/guitarist Justin Johnson, bass guitarist
John Maxwell, percussionist Kevin Blanchard and vocalist/drummer
David Alexander – is a unique mixture of funk, hip-hop and rock,
transcending all boundaries that people might want to build around
these styles of music and creating something that can only be
called “Chola”.
Listen to songs like “Shakemachine,” Phishheads, and tell me you
can’t somehow picture Trey Anastasio possibly sitting in with the
band and delivering this vocal. It’s meant as a high compliment to
both bands, and Chola instantly win over the listener with songs
like this, as well as “Swinger,” “User Friendly” and “Starsky
’98”.
What’s special about Chola is that they’re not trying to be the
next Red Hot Chili Peppers, or the next Phish, or even the next
Digital Underground. Instead, they’re focused on just creating
music for the sheer fun of it – and the fun they’re having is heard
on tracks like “Uh-Uh,” “Scrub You” and “We’re All Waiting”. Even
the bonus track, an acoustical version of “Uh-Uh” apparently
recorded at a radio station appearance, reflects this
“devil-may-care” attitude. It’s infectious, and it’s hard not to
get caught up in it.
Groove The Nation is also an interesting release in that the
label it’s been released on, Freedom Zone, is giving away the first
million copies of the disc; all the purchaser has to pay for is
shipping. We’re talking an investment of two dollars for this
album, then – and, believe me, this disc is worth it no matter what
the price tag is.
No matter what your favorite form of music is,
Groove The Nation is sure to get your foot tapping and will
place a smile on your face. Let the Chola outbreak spread!