Personal Blend
“Ride”
Self-released
I thought I knew what I was getting into when the guitar kicked off Rochester band Personal Blend’s new EP, “Ride.” It hinted at a poppy, straight-ahead, guitar-driven party, but 45 seconds later the whole band deconstructs into a reggae groove. It’s a groove that’s shallow at first, but swimming rapidly into the deep end.
By track three, the band adds some pumping organ to the one-drop. It chills and chops majestic. But purity is not the main focus, so the dub additives and the uninhibited swirling take on a cool psychedelic free fall that’s fun to groove to … or hell, just relax and listen.
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2018.
