ekoostik hookah
Ohio Grown (self-released)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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With most of the "jam band" scene split between the hippie hoe-down crowd and the faux-funk groovsters, there are still a few groups capable of coming up with music that's both rhythmically and melodically interesting, while structurally capable of supporting the kind of improvisation that was the genre's original raison d'etre. One of the best of those bands is the midwestern favorite, ekoostik hookah. Ohio Grown offers ten good reasons to land this band into any jam fan's top ten list.

Two primary things separate these guys from the pack - competent vocals and the recognition that song structure should be a vehicle for improvisation, not an interruption. There are a lot of monster players on the scene, and the members of ekoostik hookah are no slouches in that department, but it's real nice to hear real songs sung by singers who sound like they really care.

It's also nice to hear a band that can blend a variety of stylistic influences while retaining a core identity, and ekoostik hookah manage to sound like themselves while they glide between rock, country and blues tunes. They mix electric and acoustic sounds artfully, as well. Altogether, they make music that's consistently entertaining and occasionally terrific, and that's pretty damned good indeed.

Track List:

Dragonfly * Raging River * Ohio Grown * Another You * Godspeed * Sweet Lucy * Music * Pass The Cider, Pass The Rum * Dancin' Outlaw * Deal With It

© 2003 - Shaun Dale