This band pays homage to so many musicians, it would take a page to list them. Many of the tunes are in a style made famous by others before, but with a fresh approach. This is the type of Fusion Jimi Hendrix made famous, but here Novello plays the lead with a B-3 instead of a guitar. Bass, drums and organ? Another Medeski Martin and Wood, you think? Not Niacin! They have their own sound, appreciable by Jazz fans, but much more rooted in Rock than MMW.

The first track rocks with Keith Emerson-like runs on the B-3 and one of the tightest rhythm sections you'll find in "No Man's Land". Billy follows that up with an extended bass guitar solo, which leads into a funky cooker called "Do A Little Dirty Work". On this number, Sheehan doesn't play a typical walking bass line, but rather long deep bended notes which contrast the funky staccato solo lines or soulful swirls of Novello's B-3.

There are also some slow Rock instrumentals like "I Miss You (Like I Miss The Sun)" and "One Less Worry". Bluesy, but different from the Allman Bros. Definitely fusiony. What I like especially is that the band doesn't get caught up too long in a nice riff, and goes through interesting changes in tone and tempo. Many of these tunes are quite catchy...

A rockin' rhythm and soulful solos are the formula for tracks like "Bullet Train Blues" and "Hell To Pay". But formulas don't restrict this trio, which will surprise you with a quick BeBop vamp in the middle of a rockin' groove. And follow up that song with an introspective piece like "Alone On My Own Little Island".

Pick up this debut self-titled release on Stretch Records, and look out for the follow-up live CD!