Bob Acquaviva Guitar/ Vocals-
Vince Cavo/Lead Vocals/Keys-
Jose M Lopez Lead Vocals/ Bass -
Jerry Crimmins Lead Vocals/Percussion-
Tim Mishalanie Keyboards- Lenny Milano Drums
Sounds Like
POWER PLAY MAGAZINE REVIEW 7-3-06 --------- There's nothing like a good bit of Westcoast AOR to help you relax and unwind after a hard day. Our next band fit that bill perfectly. They're called BIG KRUSH, they hail from America and they've just released there S/T album on there own label. The band is built around various session players and it's the brainchild of guitarist Bob Acquaviva. What Bob has done is assemble a stellar cast of musicans who've recorded and album. A blend of bands such as Steely Dan, Air Supply, Neilson/Pearson and Bugatti & Musker is whats on offer here. Lush vocal harmonies give way to some excellent musicianship that is prevalent throughout this album. With songs like "(gotta) Love Jones" ( Steely Dan On Heat ), " I Can't Wait" ( The Best Vocal Harmonies This Side Of A Jay Graydon CD ) and " Good About Me" ( latin rythms That Pervade Lush, Vocal Harmonies equals.......Killer!) How can this band go wrong? The Answer is , they can't ! One of the best Westcoast albums you'll hear this year. email at acqrok@adelphia.net
Rob Evens Power Play Magazine UK
BIG KRUSH ‘AGAIN’ (INDEPENDENT)
A few years ago we reviewed the debut CD of the New York based band BIG KRUSH and this was quite a surprise as it was filled with pure early 80s US Westcoast-AOR that reminded one of 70s DAKOTA, FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS, ALLIANCE, DAVID ROBERTS, BALANCE, TOTO and such… Now they are back with another pearl in the same style, so 10 easy-going, relaxing, laid-back Westcoast-AOR in the style of mentioned bands. Standout-song here is the fantastic AOR classic “Open book” that sounds like TOUCH meets FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS meets TOTO’s “Hold the line”. Most of the other songs are really smooth laid-back tunes sounding a lot like the Westcoast stuff of DAVID ROBERTS, JAY GRUSKA… with a touch of STEELY DAN, AIRPLAY, PABLO CRUISE, LRB, NIELSEN/PEARSON, AIR SUPPLY, with as highlights “Superman”, “It’s not over” and “Save your world”. A must-have for anyone longing back to early 80s Westcoast-AOR, so if you like any of the mentioned bands you’re gonna love the new BIG KRUSH with their mixture of Latin rhythms, AOR melodies, smooth vocal performances and summer like choruses! More info at: http://www.myspace.com/bigkrush and e-mail at: acqrok@adelphia.net
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
Out of nowhere comes Bigkrush, an American band with a very strong calm AOR/Westcoast release like a mix between Pablo Cruise/Little River Band (harmonies), early Toto (the guitarwork and songstructures) and King Of Hearts (the light sound). Actually this CD is the most pure Westcoast release I have heard in ages. It is similar in style to the AOR project of Frederic Slama, Alliance 1982, Dakota and Balance as well, so I think you now know what to expect, namely a song based album with very melodic clean lead vocals in the Franke and The Knockouts style and songs a la David Roberts, Jay Gruska and Player, so the insiders then will understand we have something really interesting here. If anyone had told me this was a Japanese re-issue from a 1982 record I would have instantly believed it. Info from AORHEAVEN
George Thatcher
Editor, GLORY-DAZE
www.glory-daze.com
(Points: 7.5 out of 10)
BIG KRUSH - BIG KRUSH (2005, INDEPENDENT)
Bob F Acquaviva - guitars, vocals; Vince Cavo-vocals; Jerry Crimmins - vocals; Jose M. Lopez -bass, vocals; Tim Mish - keyboards; - Lenny Milano - drums, percussion.
Background:
Here's a band from upstate New York that might tickle the fancy of may readers here. They are the six-piece outfit Big Krush. These guys operate out off the East Coast but their music is influenced from the other side of the continent. L.A. styled west coast music is their game, with a nod to the likes of Toto, Chicago and Player. Big Krush is the mastermind of Bob Acquaviva, the band being in existance now for five years. Bob is also a producer and eng: by day at his acclaimed Acqrok Studios in Utica, NY, so gettng these tracks scrubbed up proved to be no problem. Trainspotters may know that Bob was also the Track Engineer on Boston's most recent release 'Corporate America'.
The Songs:
The music of Big Krush has a very 'live' and spontaneous feel to it, and they groove in much the way a club house band would. It also means that their live instincts come to the fore in the delivery of these songs. You get that impression with some of them, 'Hold On Tight' and 'More Or Less' being a couple of examples. Take a listen to the excellent 'Good About Me', which takes on Chicago like strains, as does 'This Time It's Real', the horn-blast and funky groove all hitting home. When the band turned down the excitement, they can slow burn to tunes like the ballad 'Love Is A Desert' or the deceiving '37 Summers' ... a slow groovin' number until the firey solo from Acquiviva kicks in. Probably the best representation of their sound is found on the pair of '(Gotta) Love Jones' (prob my favorite track on the album) and 'I Can't Wait', both West Coast oriented but with a bit of street smart urban attitude too!
In Summary:
Big Krush are currently finishing up their second album, a little bit more in the vain of Player, and little more blue eyed soul with an edge, says Bob. The band will do some local touring to coincide with the release. In the meantime, fans of West Coast (or East Coast for that matter!) should hop on over to the Big Krush website, and investigate for yourself.
Review By: George Thatcher
------------------BIG KRUSH BIG KRUSH' (INDEPENDENT)
(Points: 8.4 out of 10)
Out of nowhere comes BIG KRUSH, an American band with a very strong calm AOR/Westcoast release like a mix between PABLO CRUISE/LITTLE RIVER BAND (the close-harmonyvocals), early 80s SANTANA, TOTO (the guitar work and song structures) and KING OF HEARTS (the light sound). Actually this CD is the most pure Westcoast release I have heard in ages. It is similar in style to the AOR project of Frederic Slama, ALLIANCE 1982 ( I can't wait), DAKOTA (Good about me) and BALANCE as well, so I think you now know what to expect, namely a song based album with very melodic clean lead vocals in the TOTO/FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS style and songs a la DAVID ROBERTS, JAY GRUSKA and PLAYER, so the insiders then will understand we have something really interesting here. If anyone had told me this was a Japanese re-issue from a 1982 record I would have instantly believed it. In fact, after sitting with this album for a week I finally found out the absolute best comparison, which is not DAVID ROBERTS, but good ole JOHN O'BANION, so if anyone out there likes his 1980s records, well then you're gonna love this BIG KRUSH for sure. This New York based band is without a doubt a must-have for the Westcoast/AOR fans! e-mail at: acqrok@adelphia.net
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OMG! I am totally heartbroken to hear of Tim's passing. ! Tim used to tell me that I was one of the only people who really knew him....wish I knew this was coming... What a horrible tragedy for us all .
Just got the news today of "Mish's" passing. There are no words to describe the feeling I get when I hear of another of our young and talented brothers moving on. I am sure he still has a huge smile on his face and everyone is still able to see it anytime in thier hearts. God Bless.
Now I know we all must live for today. Tim (Mishy) your one of the people we will never forget. A true class act with talent. I hope you can look down and see how much you were loved and respected. We all will strike a chord, play a riff, and lay down a beat with you in our hearts. You have influenced us all. Mishy we miss you and will always miss the man, friend, and brother you were to all of us. “God Bless You We Love You”
It's a true statement that you will be missed by many my friend. You are gone well before your time brother. Thank you for your friendship, your contagious laughter, your generous deeds and the love/passion you shared with your instrument for all of us to have the pleasure of hearing. Yesterday this world lost a fine human being, yesterday your family and BIG KRUSH lost a loving brother and today I'm missing a friend. It was just last week when I seen ya in your nook, your corner piece of the basement where you stood behind your time machine rack of keys, smiling from ear to ear as you and the fella's were jammin out new KRUSH material. "How the hell are ya man", "great to see ya, what's new Robo" you'd say!!
I can't lie Mish!! today sucks...I can only hope your at peace, say a prayer for you and all whom loved you and will miss you! Know that you will be in my thoughts forever Mish!!! I will see and hear you again my friend...rest easy!
I will miss Mish,He was just a great human being and a friend to all who had the plessure to know him. Im truely sorry to see him go. Your music will always live on. So sorry to all Tims family and frends.
There is a giant hole in my heart...Tim, I will miss you so....Thanks for the years of laughs, friendship, and music.
“When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost" Frederick Buechner
I echo the words of my buddy Jon Liebing. Tim always had a smile and a great attitude towards me. A genuine great guy. I trust his memory will help fill the hole that is left by his passing.
Through all the years I knew Tim " Mish", he always made me smile! He was extremely talented and loved by so many....I just want to say that I am proud to have known him as a friend and a fellow musician. It's very hard to lose someone like him....he was always respectful and kind to me personally. And although I didn't spend as much time with him as some of you other guys did, I loved him just the same ! This is a sad day, but we all will heal in time. Tim, we all L O V E you...
