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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5 is LIVE for RARE BLEND!

Cleveland, OHIO USA

Scheduled for December 14th, 2009, instrumental music group Rare Blend will release their 5th CD album SESSIONS, an impressive 14 track disc of LIVE recordings from stage and studio. Unlike the group’s previous CD’s, SESSIONS highlights Rare Blend’s “one takes”, and “in the moment” jam-fusion instrumentals.

SESSIONS features new songs and improvisations from shows in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and “in-studio” improvs recorded at Odyssey Studios in Cleveland. Also included are selections from a taping for the Crooked River Groove television program (title track - Hipster Spinster), as well as performances during their 2008 Bridging The Gap music/film series against the backdrop of such classic films as; “Phantom of the Opera” and “Metropolis”.

Taking a hiatus this year to review hours of collected recordings, mix and master the release, Rare Blend did pop up for an amazing show opening for Ozric Tentacles at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Here the group snuck out a few SESSIONS tracks that were very well received and solidified Rare Blend’s eagerness to finish the disc by the end of the year and to bring the spontaneous side of their music to audiences in 2010.

“What a supremely tight, high energy (Rare Blend) performance yesterday evening at the Beachland Ballroom. Incredible band!” -(Robert Menser - WJCU 88.7 FM Cleveland)

Coming soon, distribution of SESSIONS and digital downloads will be available through CD Baby and the Rare Blend website.

For over 15 years, Rare Blend’s music resonates with purists as well as those who embrace a progressive multi-genre approach to original instrumental music. Pulling from a variety of influences and musical styles, Rare Blend continues to receive favorable press reviews, and radio airplay, performing at a variety of concerts and outdoor festivals, and have been invited to be included on regional and national compilation discs.

Because of their diversity and growing catalog of music, Rare Blend can be found performing on bills that range from Jazz to jam band, fusion to progressive rock. They have shared bills or have opened for the likes of David Sanborn, Special EFX, Ozric Tentacles, Tunnels, Dark Star Orchestra, Kevin Eubanks, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Spyro Gyra, Frogg Cafe, Los Lobos, and others...

Started in 1993, Rare Blend (Samalot / Holt), released their debut independent CD entitled Cinefusion as a duo. Recorded and produced by Vic Samalot and Bobbi Holt, Cinefusion received local, national, and even international college radio airplay and was performed live in small intimate venues in Ohio.

In 1998, Rare Blend expanded to a four piece with bassist/composer Jeff Scott and drummer/composer Paul Stranahan. As a quartet, Rare Blend added additional musical texture to the original concept and took the live performance to a new level.

CD album recordings added to the catalog to date:

· INFINITY (2000)
· EVOLUTION THEORY (2002)

· STOPS ALONG THE WAY (2006)
Introduced veteran drummer (Fayreweather, Tie Die Harvest, and Wish You Were Here) Vince Broncaccio, whose talent brought a fresh nuance to the group during 2005 and 2006.

· SESSIONS (2009)
With veteran drummer Ivan George, whose fusion style influenced by Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers has brought the improvisational edge to the RB fold since 2007. Rare Blend continues to write, record, and perform at various concert clubs and outdoor festivals throughout the year and is looking forward to incorporating on the spot improvisations to audiences in 2010.

Press:

Wonderful compilation of tracks. I have been waiting for this release since the announcement of a new project was in the works. Get this one, and then you're hooked. You'll get the other three, like I did. (RB fan - Baltimore, MD)

A more apropos name would be hard to find for this Cleveland-based (mostly) instrumental quartet that blends rock, jazz, fusion and world music into a rare concoction of tight, colorful and unpretentious arrangements. If only all instrumental albums could sound this appealing...(Michael Popke - Sea Of Tranquility / Monroe, NY)