Album review: RUFFYUNZ – Ruffyunz II
Hyperspace Records [Release date 23.09.22]
The second album from a veritable “superband” conglomerate featuring Bobby Rondinelli (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, drums) and Randy Pratt (Cactus, The Lizards, bass) with Ed Terry on vocals and JZ Barrell (guitars) They are joined by the likes of Pat Thrall, Don Airey and Dave Manketti (sic).
The essentially funky vibe on the opener ‘Hype In My Head’ Is a throwback to the late-1970s and I couldn’t help think of Wild Cherry and their funk pop confection ‘Play That Funky Music’.
As with any project like this the showmanship is important but the quality of the material is critical. In the main the songs are solid. And when punctuated by a Pat Thrall super shred or Don Airey ‘s organ the results are impressive.
Also appearing on this album, Tracy G (Dio) on the auto-tuned ‘The Game’ and that inveterate journeyman Joel Hoekstra who crops up on ‘Can’t Slow Down’. Throughout Rondinelli and Pratt form a joined-at-the-hip rhythm section especially evident on the semi-psychedelic ‘Doesn’t Matter’ which features additional vocals from Pat Klein (The Lizards). Ditto the rather appealing ‘Bubbles’.
Indeed Pratt told me in 2006 “To me, blending hard rock/heavy metal with funk is a life mission.”
In fact this latest album has made me want to re-discover Pratt’s earlier outing with The Lizards (Reptilicus Maximus) which I described as a “superb groove-laden heavy rock album”, another of those solid and worthy creations this time with rock funkmeister Glenn Hughes and Frank Marino (yes, Frank Marino!) and Vinnie Moore (who on his latest album worked with Ed Terry).
Referring to the previous Lizards album (2006) I wrote that it “made grown men who should know better very happy.” This also applies to the retro rock that is ‘Ruffyunz II’. The distinct impression is that. whilst it may not change the world, it reflects the seasoned input of its contributors and is well worth a listen. Cool, groovy, and compulsive. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
Album review (The Lizards, 2015)
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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