A revamped lineup, a highly acclaimed new album, half a decade of incessant touring and an explosive new sound: this is the ever-changing life of New York City groove masters, ulu. Hot off the Oct. 21 release of their fourth album, "Nerve," it's back to touring for the perennial road warriors.
This Halloween, the funk-influenced quartet will play a show at Broadway Joe's. With the new additions of Josh Dion on drums and Brian Killeen on bass, returning members Scott Chasolen (keyboards) and Aaron Gardner (saxophone and flute) have finally found the combination that fits their sound and style.
Over the last five years, their constant touring and impressive live shows have drawn consistently packed crowds at both festivals and local shows. In this, they've even shared the stage with the likes of jazz guitarist John Scofield of the Gods, Buffalo locals Soulive, funk super-group moe, The Greyboy Allstars and many others. They were the only instrumental band at Woodstock '99.
Now with the release of "Nerve," ulu is back on the road, spreading their music and dance-happy vibes.
"The new band is a breath of fresh air," said Chasolen. "Josh Dion on drums and Brian Killeen on bass bring many new dimensions to the music both stylistically and energetically. We are much more free to explore anything we feel."
In their previous efforts, ulu has portrayed a zest for hitting a certain groove and enabling the listener to get into and feel the music.
"We explore a broad range of funk and jazz. You'll hear an occasional spoken word and maybe a gospel tune as well," Chasolen said. Addictive, sultry melodies are combined with tremendous individual ability and group composition to produce a sound unique to itself.
"Our goal in a live setting is to express ourselves in a way that can satisfy our own creative needs while still including the audience and feeding them either a physical or mental stimulus," he said. "As serious as our music can be, we just want everyone to leave an ulu show with a smile."
Taking that live feel and incorporating it into the studio was a difficult task for the members of ulu. Best classified as a "jam" band, their knack for live improvisation and exploration is often an unruly task when brought into the studio environment. Fortunately, "Nerve" captures of the nature of the band's performances.
Beginning with "Where's Paul," the album immediately darts off to a quick pace. Heavy soul influences with walking bass lines, slick tenor saxophone work and funky Moog chops starts the album off with a bang. Chasolen's "Vaporize" drops into a more Latin-tinged flavor that allows Gardner to take off with some tasteful and intricate flute progressions.
Whereas "March of the Sloth People" portrays ulu's jazzier roots, "Spare Tissue" displays catchy funk riffs, an impressive sax duo and all the thumping bass lines a listener can handle.
"The new album is the first time ulu has ever been 'in the studio' for any period of time. We think it really captures our compositions in an honest way," he says. "'Nerve' was really about charting a new direction and showcasing our diversity."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
