BLACK BONZO is a promising new 5 piece Swedish band, formerly known as GYPSY SONS OF MAGIC. In 2003 the boys made the official name change and moved some things around. Trouble finding a drummer led them to change from a two-guitar lineup to one. Keyboardist Mike Israelsson was switched to drums and guitarist Nicklas Alund became BONZO keybanger. All this zany musical swapping has resulted in a pretty tight sound for a debut album. Let's get to the meat of it.

The first track on this BLACK BONZO record, 'Lady of the Light" is a glorious slice of Moog-heavy boogie in the vein of URIAH HEEP's 'Easy Livin'" or KANSAS' 'Belexes". Top-notch stuff, really. But it is unfortunately a high watermark on the album that the band never comes close to topping.

As a bar band, I'm sure these guys cannot be beat. And the bands that they mimic are no slouches. There are many traces of 'Animals"-era PINK FLOYD to be found on this disc (especially on the closer 'Where the River Meets the Sea", where guitarist Joakim Karlsson does one of the best David Gilmour impressions I've ever heard). In addition to stuff like HEEP, KANSAS, and FLOYD, some other obvious nods to classic QUEEN and even the BEATLES appear and fade away like wisps of smoke throughout the album's duration. In the opinion of this reviewer, stuff like this reaches its pinnacle when performed with unprecedented attitude or some unique creative spin. Sadly, this disc has neither.

The musicianship is good, and the influences are solid, but I would most likely never be inclined to take this album out and listen to it again (except maybe for the first track, which would be good on a mix CD). I'd just reach for the classics and get the real deal, y'know? Put on 'Look at Yourself" or 'Song for America", and you'll get a much more potent dose of killer 70s organ and axe work. Put on 'In Rock" and all three of the former are eclipsed as well! It's kind of like going to the swim club on a hot, clear July day, getting your suit on, greasin' up with suntan lotion, and diving into the steamy indoor pool. Why would you do it?

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.blackbonzo.com

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