Da “THE UPPERS ORGANIZATION” (www.uppers.org)
Proving that the internet is indeed making the world smaller, US based Hammondbeat.com presents it’s first release from Italian band The Link Quartet.
…. Combining elements of jazz, rock & roll, spy jazz, porno soundtracks and loungey incindental music, The Link Quartet has recorded a lethal dose of driving Hammond madness called “Beat.it”. “Beat.it” is flush with impressive original compositions by the band which will surely help gain them a great reputation through this album. Not to mince words, the songs are all good… Tony “Face” Bacciocchi provides an uncompromising beat behind the drums which keeps the up tempo songs energetic beyond belief. These guys must destroy their audiences when they play live! Additionally, these guys have one of the meanest sounding Hammond organ players we’ve heard in a LONG time in Paolo “Apollo” Negri. Unsurprisingly, he rates Brian Auger as one of his favorite players. We can tell! Giulio “Link” Cardini and Renzo Bassi are on guitar and bass guitar respectively and fill out the rhythm section extremely well. If the original compositions weren’t enough, these guys have chosen some pretty gutsy songs to cover. Normally, Small Faces and Georgie Fame covers would be ill advised decisions, especially in a recorded environment. These artists simply mean too much to too many people, who would take quick delight in pointing out how bad the covers sound next to the originals. However, it must be said that “Somebody Stole My Thunder” sounds like an altogether new song in the capable hands of The Link Quartet. For those of you burned out on hearing this Georgie Fame track in your local mod club, may we suggest you get your favorite DJ a copy of this CD for her or his birthday? A lot of people will also be automatically skeptical of a cover of The Small Faces “Happy Boys Happy”. In the great tradition of The Prisoners and early James Taylor Quartet, our new Italian friends have tackled this song valiantly. The word “blistering” may be in order. We’re also treated to another Hammond version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” retreading ground already covered by London’s Stone Soul Picnic, but who are we to complain? This one cooks too, and gets downright funky for the second half. Both The Link Quartet and Hammond Beat should be immensely proud of this album.
Brian Poust