Comments for Civil Rite, Corporate Dick

07/26/95 "CORPORATE DICK", The first full CD from L.A. "Heavy Funk" outfit Civil Rite is out at select stores and via mail order. I`ve been a CIvil Rite fan since they got together about 4-5 years ago, they`re a band that shows that there more than one way to make `Urban` music. (Maybe more than two, more than three...) The band featues two lead guitarist in Tory Ruffin (Lead Vox) and J.J. Brown. (Backing Vox). Both are killer musicians indiviually, but together have found a way to blend Tory`s jazzism and JJ vai/lynchisms in to a powerful coherent blend.Bass work was performed by a variety of player including Tony Ruiz, Andre Berry (of Total Eclipse) and Carl Spooky Young (of Spearhead). Also several drummers were usedincluding their current skin smasher Otis Hayes III and former24-7 Spyz basher Anthony Johnson. The CD has 11 tracks. `No Country` - "On my knees to pray to my jesus everyday, How come he looks like you? What does that do to me? A Man without a country is a man without a home, no language to call his own." `Nutt`n In da Middle` - A groove rock tune that kind of reminds be of Bobby Brown singing with Helmet. `Corporate Dick` - If somebody has said that can`t you play it, you can`t say it, or you can`t do it. This song does it. Radical time changes, four and five letter lyrics. A vicious sense humor. Somehow they manage to compress 4 years of rage at industry ignorance into one song and still make it hilarious. `Billy Ann` - A Pop/Hip-hop/Rock tune that would be an easy hit single, AAA radio would cream all over until it breaks down into a Wes Montgomer/George Benson jazz blowout. Followed by a DRUM SOLO (When was the last time you heard a band put a drum solo on the ALBUM?) And followed still, by a four part vocal harmony `aaah aaah` outro, that`s scarily reminicent of King`s X. (or simply a nice tribute) Especially the `TYish` guitar triple runs over the vocals. Killer stuff. `Faded` - This is a hard one to discribe. I`ve never seen them play it live, but it kind of reminds me of a rock/soul ballad that Soundgarden would never be able to play cause they only have one vocalist and can`t get the call and response technique that hails from hard-core gospel completely down. Even King`s X would probably do this different because only one of the vocalists sings with "Soul". Think of Babyface or BoyzIIMen with *BALLS* and a lot more taste. `Big ol Bitch` - Insert your favorite fat joke. Actually..., It`s about greed and avarice. (Did someone say `America`?) `Butt Naked in a field of Daises` - "Your daddy`s in the KKK?" Use your imagination. You`ll be wrong. `Mother` - Environmentally conscious and groovn` like their aint no tommorro. "Don`t you mess with Mother". `Try` - Ballad number two. Another new one that I didn`t know. Seem to be about hope and the struggle. "Cause ain`t nothing holy about any war, Murder aint the way to heavens door". `Black Assid` - This shit kicks butttttt. "Should I dance, should I dance or bang my head?" `Prelude for Anne` - Instrumental - Bluesy, Lynchy solo guitar by J.J. over a simmering `Summerland-ish` stew. `Just a Little Bit` - Brings it all together with the Rock, Jazz and even Hip-hop to finish it off. I got my copy at the last L.A. Black Rock Coalition Meeting and I know not many people can make it to those. The band put the CD out independently, so they don`t have a label (even though Dr. Dre and Death Row Records are VERY interested) The only way to get a copy go to Velvet Underground Music in Long Beach CA, or like, show up for a BRC meeting (BRC hotline (213) 960-7730) or to write to: Rite House Ent P.O. Box 7095 Hollywood Blvd. #638 Hollywood CA 90028 Ph (310) 660-4027 (213) 669-2883