Hyperspace Records [Release date 11.08.23]
It’s safe to say that the third album offering from Ruffyunz takes up where II left off. The major change is Carmine Appice replacing Bobby Rondinelli’s drums and, at least on the cover, taking centre stage. Otherwise, business as usual with vocalist Ed Terry, guitarist (and co-producer) JZ Barrell and Randy Pratt (bass) all present and correct. They form the core of the band, supplemented with various guests.
There is a delicious irony in opener ‘Street Corner High’ in that Pat Travers and one time sparring partner Pat Thrall share guitar duties whilst the song recalls prime time Hughes/Thrall (it was Glenn Hughes who pinched Thrall for his own band in the early 1980s).
Bumblefoot and Derek Sherinian feature on ‘Looking For The Edge’, an insistent slice of premier league hard rock. ‘Malevolent Fool’ (with one-time Dio guitarist Tracy G.) and the doom-laden Red Line (Bumblefoot again) keep up the relentless grind.
The band are at the best on the funkier stuff like the opener, ‘Electric Mind Control’ (with Vinnie Moore and Jesse Berlin) and ‘Far Too Long’ which sees the welcome return of Dave Meniketti or the groove of ‘Hanging’. Billy “Spaceman” Patterson (Miles Davis, James Brown) guests on the more psychedelic ‘Warm Oasis’.
Elsewhere it can be easy to evoke past classic rock glories. The chugging rhythm of ‘Cadillac Walk’ for example (featuring Jim McCarty’s slide) reminds of ‘Spirit In The Sky’. This is another great outing for Ruffyunz and comes only twelve months after the previous release. What might appear to be a short-lived project with bored A-listers appears to be gathering momentum. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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