By Darryl Cater

The Convulsions, it should be noted upfront, play no down-tempo songs.

The Chicago-based "British R&B" band, headed by English ex-pat Ben Ruth, is nothing if not energetic. Their first CD, Shaken and Disturbed, is from track one to track 13, a raucous, adrenaline-stoked jam fest with a half-crazed, alcohol-soaked party sound that mixes the driving beat of early British Invasion R&B, the hard-partying wail of post-electric American blues, the bass-and-brass swagger of funk and ska, and the smart, challenging instrumental spontaneity of late-Miles jazz, all played at headbanging speed.

It's sort of like designing a strong mixed drink specifically to kill the brain cells of music fans who know enough to pick up all the varied musical references.

This sound of this CD clearly has more to do with the culture of the pub live show than the carefully crafted studio session. Several tracks were recorded live. The character of the concert reminds me of early Madness shows in the 1970s: tons of goofy energy, with lyrics belted in a cockney beyond the listener's comprehension. This show, however, directs more of the focus on the musicianship.

Several tracks are instrumental, with genuine improvisational jazz spirit.

Ruth, who reportedly came to Chicago to seek out the sort of blues that inspired him as a young man, drives the jams with a mean harmonica. His frenzied ascensions on the high notes of the harp scale will remind most listeners of Blues Traveler's Johnny Popper. He also underscores tracks with hammond organ.

The CD label assigns mini-descriptions to each track that give a sense of the range of styles: the manic harp-driven lead track "I Think I'll Pass" is dubbed "rip rock length." The brass-coated "Walk With Me" is termed "Ska Radio play length." The band's soulful side is reflected in "Swear It's Not You (Mowtown Length)." "50 Pounds" (which actually weighs in at only 5 minutes) is named "Modeski, Martin & Wood length."

To compare oneself to Modeski, Martin & Wood (not to mention Miles Davis) is to set a pretty high bar, but it's difficult to dislike anything about the album because any sloppiness can easily be chalked up to the band's propensity to get caught up in the convulsive spirit.

The band plays rock and jazz clubs alike--and even the Old Town School of Folk Music.

A Waterdog Records exec has said the Convulsions are the live band to which they compare all the live shows the label considers (even though "Shaken & Disturbed" is not a Waterdog product). That's a high recommendation, and an easy one to understand after hearing this CD.

The Convulsions Web Site 

Upcoming Convulsions Show Dates

More ChicagoGigs.com Reviews

Chicago Music Discussion Board