FreeSound, hailing from Hawaii, is now a popular high-energy 4 piece SF Bay area band of roots soul blues jam rockers, www.freesoundspace.com. Their unique original music crosses many genres including psychedelic, soul, roots rock, roots reggae, classic rock, blues, blues/rock, jamrock, and folk.
By regularly performing as support for national and international acts FreeSound are getting recognition from the best in the field of roots music, blues, rock and reggae. The feedback from doing so has been heartwarming appreciation that there are still young musicians out there who capture the artistic mastery of the past. Where else do you find a band that supports blues legend Norton Buffalo one night ( May 18 at Jazzbones, Tacoma WA) and the next night supports international reggae legend Clinton Fearon at Nightlight Lounge in Bellingham WA. Yes these are seasoned road warriors- over 350 shows in the last 3 years.
Audiences love their own unique sound and vibe with occasional influences detected from the masters of the past like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, and Muddy Waters and sounds of today like Ben Harper, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Freesound's Keith Batlin, on vocals, hits a remarkable range of notes and styles, easily switching textures from honey/silk to smoke. Lead guitarist Adam Crowe provides the group with masterful fingerstyle guitar dosed with phasors, echo, and improvised solos reminiscent of 60’s rock icons.
Album Reviews:
by John Berger of the Honolulu-Star Bulletin of Freesound's latest CD release "Roots Is
Imagine a band whose original repertoire suggests the legacy of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Vanilla Fudge, and the basic classic rock sound in general -- but also plays straight reggae, never sounding like it's directly copying riffs or melodies. That's the music of Freesound, and "Roots Is ... " is clearly intended for people with equally eclectic tastes.
The quartet opens with a somnolent number, "Up We Go," followed up by the screaming rocker, "Black Rider," a song that suggests the dual influences of J.R.R. Tolkien and Aerosmith. The third song, "One Bright Day" (not the Ziggy Marley number of the same name), has a smooth reggae groove with a positive Rastafarian message -- and, yes, these guys understand what real "roots music" is, too. Hopefully, there are people out there with musical horizons as broad as theirs to embrace this album.
***
Review by Wayne Harada of the Honolulu Advertiser
"Roots Is ..." by Freesound.
* Genre: Roots reggae, rock, soul.
* Distinguishing notes: After 1 1/2 years away from Hawai'i, Freesound, a foursome of Kaiser High grads, is back with a vengeance. Keith Batlin, Adam Crowe, Mike Loveless and Tavana McMoore perform a gamut of rock styles, some with psychedelic undercurrents ("Shine on Me"), others with a reggae punch ("One Bright Day"), even a smidgen of Led Zeppelin ("Evil Moon"). The tunes are more mood-setters than sing-alongs; that is to say, the group is able to impart a feeling of being transported to another time and place in the rock realm.
* The outlook: The band has a take-notice sound
* Our take: Freesound is cultivating a niche in the island club scene
LYRICS go to http://www.freesoundspace.com/rootsis.asp
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.freesoundspace.com
Track List:
1. She Can't Be Satisfied
2. Shine On Me
3. Black Rider
4. One Bright Day
5. Up We Go
6. Magic Wall
7. Infinite Ocean
8. Evil Moon
9. Sweet Soul Music
10. Carry On
11. Dream Upon a Misty Sea
Other Genres:
By regularly performing as support for national and international acts FreeSound are getting recognition from the best in the field of roots music, blues, rock and reggae. The feedback from doing so has been heartwarming appreciation that there are still young musicians out there who capture the artistic mastery of the past. Where else do you find a band that supports blues legend Norton Buffalo one night ( May 18 at Jazzbones, Tacoma WA) and the next night supports international reggae legend Clinton Fearon at Nightlight Lounge in Bellingham WA. Yes these are seasoned road warriors- over 350 shows in the last 3 years.
Audiences love their own unique sound and vibe with occasional influences detected from the masters of the past like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, and Muddy Waters and sounds of today like Ben Harper, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Freesound's Keith Batlin, on vocals, hits a remarkable range of notes and styles, easily switching textures from honey/silk to smoke. Lead guitarist Adam Crowe provides the group with masterful fingerstyle guitar dosed with phasors, echo, and improvised solos reminiscent of 60’s rock icons.
Album Reviews:
by John Berger of the Honolulu-Star Bulletin of Freesound's latest CD release "Roots Is
Imagine a band whose original repertoire suggests the legacy of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Vanilla Fudge, and the basic classic rock sound in general -- but also plays straight reggae, never sounding like it's directly copying riffs or melodies. That's the music of Freesound, and "Roots Is ... " is clearly intended for people with equally eclectic tastes.
The quartet opens with a somnolent number, "Up We Go," followed up by the screaming rocker, "Black Rider," a song that suggests the dual influences of J.R.R. Tolkien and Aerosmith. The third song, "One Bright Day" (not the Ziggy Marley number of the same name), has a smooth reggae groove with a positive Rastafarian message -- and, yes, these guys understand what real "roots music" is, too. Hopefully, there are people out there with musical horizons as broad as theirs to embrace this album.
***
Review by Wayne Harada of the Honolulu Advertiser
"Roots Is ..." by Freesound.
* Genre: Roots reggae, rock, soul.
* Distinguishing notes: After 1 1/2 years away from Hawai'i, Freesound, a foursome of Kaiser High grads, is back with a vengeance. Keith Batlin, Adam Crowe, Mike Loveless and Tavana McMoore perform a gamut of rock styles, some with psychedelic undercurrents ("Shine on Me"), others with a reggae punch ("One Bright Day"), even a smidgen of Led Zeppelin ("Evil Moon"). The tunes are more mood-setters than sing-alongs; that is to say, the group is able to impart a feeling of being transported to another time and place in the rock realm.
* The outlook: The band has a take-notice sound
* Our take: Freesound is cultivating a niche in the island club scene
LYRICS go to http://www.freesoundspace.com/rootsis.asp
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.freesoundspace.com
Track List:
1. She Can't Be Satisfied
2. Shine On Me
3. Black Rider
4. One Bright Day
5. Up We Go
6. Magic Wall
7. Infinite Ocean
8. Evil Moon
9. Sweet Soul Music
10. Carry On
11. Dream Upon a Misty Sea
Other Genres: