I was handed a CD the other day titled “First Things First” by the group “Rambler” and was told I need to check these guys out.  So me being the nice guy that I am, I took it home and gave it a listening to.  The first thing that comes to mind as I am sitting here trying to describe this album to you is a mix of good old toe tapping, hip swaying music.  It’s not going to make you head bang or shoot up your homies but if you’re looking for something to throw in and sit back and chill to this would be a good choice for you.  If I had to classify the album I’d say it’s southern rock with a hint of county.  Pat Terranova – lead singer/writer & acoustic guitar is joined by Rick Cuccia - acoustic guitar & backing vocals, Rich Pierce – guitars, Jame Porreca – drums, Mitch Farber – lead guitar, Willie, Shawn and Danny – bass guitars & Yoel Hyman on the keyboards to form what is known as “Rambler”.  Lead vocalist Pat T., has had the pleasure of playing along side the likes of Lynard Skynryd and Brooks & Dunn, to mention just a few and states that he is inspired by his life and kids.  If you listen to his songs you’ll get his whole life story, piece by piece, bit by bit.  Pat is thankful his music has had the chance to touch so many others and is looking forward to reaching out to a whole new group of listeners, as their most recent album is just starting its climb up the charts. 

    “Hard Times”, “Travellin’ Man” and “Whiskey Drinkin’ Eyes” are just a sampling of the different songs grouped on this CD.  With titles like “Liquor in the Front, Poker in the Back” and “Intoxicated” you know these guys have got to have a pretty good sense of humor.  But they aren’t all fun and games, you can really feel the emotion behind “Skynyrd Fantasy” and “2nd Time Around”.  Overall this CD has a good variety or tunes to jam out to.  A few slower tracks for your old lady, some upbeat tunes and some funky flows which come together to create this unique mixtures of music.   I’m pretty sure just about anyone can find at least one song that floats their boat off this album here. 

     I found this next group on MySpace.  The music they had loaded on their play list got me interested to hear more of what they can do, so I got in touch with them and got a copy of their 2nd album which just dropped - “MastaMindz – Product of Your Environment”.  Coming straight outta Providence, Rhode Island, M-1 heads up the vocals, Don Seagrave rocks it on the guitar, Tim Coture plays the mean bass and Russ Miller knocks it out on the drums.  They all do their part to make the music their own and are not afraid of going outside the box when it comes to the standards the music industry has tried to set into place.  There is actually a pretty cool story behind how this band came to be.  In 2002, they won a battle of bands contest and got their 1st album recorded for free.  Which got their name out there and made them more legit, in the eyes of the industry.  But lead singer Matthew Moreau wasn’t satisfied and felt a need to be doing more so he decided to take a break from the music scene and join the military.  Matthew went and served his time and upon his return reunited with the guys and began touring with the band.  They had the privilege of opening for many different artists including but not limited to Powerman 5000, Rehab, Crazy Anglos & Static-X. 

     I’m not going to sugar coat it, this kind of music is not going to be for everyone.  It’s a little on the hard side combining rock & metal with a bit of hip-hop influence in there as well.  With that said I was pleasantly surprised with the meaningful lyrics in “All my Pain”, “Life Underground” and “Holding the Fort” these songs really hit home with me & actually helped me to relate to the group on a more personal level.   Then you have “Product of Your Environment” and “ Whatcha Gonna Do?” where they really display their ability to spit their $h*t and flow.   Based on the number of people that are featured on this album alone, you can tell these guys have some major support from their piers in the music industry.  Haystak, Jon Conner, Shane Capone, Danny Boone, Dora Moreau, Illusion, Q-Strange and Jas da Diamondchild all help to make this album that much more appealing.  “Been Had” features Danny Boone of Rehab – who I will be interviewing later this month, so keep your eyes open it will be coming up soon! MastaMindz  also preformed at this years “Gathering of the Juggalos” and has a track featured on the new “Tunnel Runners” C.D., a sampling of unsigned artists that have found a following in the swarms of Juggalos out there.    These guys are just starting to make themselves known, so keep your eyes open for their next album to drop.  With the way things have come together for them I’m sure this wont be the last time we hear from them.