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There’s a new sound taking over the town known as Boston. If you’re by the banks of the Charles River as the moon glows over the muddy waters you very well may hear some thick, groovy beats banging out a trail for raw guitar licks and a soul-drenched Hammond organ. Yes indeed, ladies and gentleman who are down with the funk, the rock and the soul, you have your new favorite band: Otis Grove. And it just feels so good doesn’t it?
Otis Grove began as a collective experiment in crossing the traditional jazz sound with funk and Hip-Hop rhythms. It was the beginning of a sound based in groove, free in improvisation, yet rooted in songwriting and soulful melodies. Based out of Boston, the band began spreading their sound to New England clubs in 2002. The music, which has since evolved into a unique blend of soulful organ funk and garage rock, pays tribute to the masters while consistently pushing itself in new directions.
Six years, over 500 national shows, and one UK tour later, Otis Grove is hitting it harder then ever. The trio - known for their high-energy, dance inducing, dynamic live perfomances - signed with Ropeadope Digital records in early 2008 and is currently promoting their 2nd studio album, "Crank It UP".
Northeast Performer Magazine, December 2007
CD Review by Sam Merrick
Otis Grove - Crank It Up
When Sam Gilman hit the first thundering note on the Hammond B-3 organ, the attendees of the Hooker St. Hoedown in Lower Allston on October 13 witnessed a sudden exodus of frightened street rats. Gilman was soon joined by his counterparts on drums and guitar, creating a monstrous funk groove that probably would have sent Godzilla running had he been in the neighborhood. The live sonic power and energy of this instrumental jazz/funk trio, known as Otis Grove, gracefully translates onto their eight-track studio effort, Crank It Up.
While drummer Blake Goedde and guitarist Tyler Wayne Drabick undoubtedly demonstrate great musical skill, each track on this CD is consistently driven by the powerful B-3 playing of Sam Gilman who spits out lyrical leads and funky bass lines simultaneously. Much credit goes out to the record’s engineers who made the organ sound so rich and authentic throughout. With Otis Grove’s organ/guitar/drums instrumentation, one cannot help compare the trio to contemporaries such as Soulive and Medeski, Martin, and Wood. While OG composes highly catchy jazz-influenced hooks, tracks such as “Pure Luck” and “Check It” recall Soulive’s 2002 release, Turn It Out.
The hip-hop influence in OG’s music is unmistakable. However, the trio covers a great deal of musical ground throughout the album. The lead hook on “Buckfush,” for example, offers a harder rock groove while an up-tempo drum ‘n’ bass rout is explored on “Chimichanga.” With a solid foundation and tight live dynamic to build upon, the band has an immense amount of potential.
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OTIS GROVE: Crank it UP
Otis Grove lift you into a spirited ambience that is powerful enough to pull you out of your seat and make you dance. You will want to 'Crank it Up' for each track, whereas their brand of funk will not only keep you groovin', but their creative energy will keep you captive and continuously entertained.
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