Members of OHM and Umphrey's McGee Promise to Stir It Up

by Staff.

Have to love the visual: a hot pan in which ingredients from OHM and jam band Umphrey's McGee sizzle up a musical meal that ranges from roadside nasty to stir fry subtle. Aren't our ears hungry for something fresh and sassy? Recipe: Chris Poland (guitars) and Robertino Pagliari (bass) from OHM with Jake Cinninger (guitars), Joel Cummins (keyboards) and Kris Myers (drums) from Chicago-based Umphrey's McGee. Dish: OHMPHREY, the group's self-titled debut that hits the retail vendor music menu on May 19, 2009, from Magna Carta Records.

The five ingredients decided they could cook up something special after jamming together at Martyr's Restaurant and Pub in Chicago and a few months later gathered at Chris Poland's Los Angeles studio to stir it on tape, jam-band style. “We wanted to make a good old fashioned fusion statement,” says Jake Cinninger, who cites John McLaughlin and Al DiMeola as influences on his guitar style. “It was all about just getting the right vibe in the room and hitting the record button.” It turned into a two-day jam fest. “There are zero overdubs on this record. It was as if we literally had walked into Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in New Jersey and laid down the sessions, as is. That’s the way records used to be made.”

The result, OHMPHREY, is a steaming blend of jazz, blues, metal and progressive rock. No Shake 'n Bake here. “What was so special about this project was that we were able to assimilate everyone’s musical personality while allowing each member to retain his individual musical voices,” says Chris Poland. “We all had similar instincts. That’s why it worked so well.”

Can't wait for the entré? Appetizers from each track of OHMPHREY are served on the group's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/ohmphrey) with a list of upcoming support dates.

OHMPHREY Track Listing
1. Someone Said You Were Dead
2. The Girl From Chi Town
3. Denny's By The Jail
4. Ice Cream
5. Lake Shore Drive
6. Not Afraid Of The Dark
7. Shrooms 'n Cheese
8. What's The Word, Thunderbird

Related Links
Chris Poland Interview (2006)
Chris Poland
Umphrey's McGee
Magna Carta Records

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