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THE YALLOPPIN' HOUNDS
"Ghetto Swing is Phat! Yo! When I had only heard the mp3 samples and I was already sweatin' it! This band is tight. My dad used to be a ballroom dance instructor so, you know, that is where my swing comes from. I love to swing dance but the way you guys mix, blend, and renew it with hip-hop makes listening to the music so much better. The swing/hip-hop beats are smooth. That was crazy Phat! I could only stay for the first set (road trip in the morning) but my goal was to see you guys' live energy and all. I was far from disappointed. You guys are no joke! The talent-lacking chumps that play on MTV can't touch you guys. You see, I keep telling my friends that will listen, forget swing; think about jazz. The Hounds are good Jazz musicians! They take swing to its next phase by going back to Harlem. The put in the Hip-Hop. If you only want WWII vets the play 'in the mood' but if you want to get the next bunch it has to be hip-hop. You got the Thunderous boom-wack-boom-boom-wack with Jazz. You can Lindy-Hop to it or just follow the beat with the cranium. These dogs are first class all the way! Hell Yea!" Local
Regulator, nyc fan
"G, it was a pleasure to have you out. You guys started on time and held to the schedule you promised, which makes any organizers life easy. Philly loves you guys, and I think the room and the set up really made for a wonderful interaction between band and dancer, which is often missed these days.... once again, we too had a blast. I've been trying to build a swing dance community here and with the 350 or so that attended last night, that was probably the coolest swing event Philly's seen in a very long time. Thanks again, G-Clef, and if you ever come through town, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll see what I can do." Sunit, Uptown Swing
"You Guys are Hot!"
"Cavaseno (G-Clef), who writes a lot of dark, sharply swinging, eminently danceable charts for the band, sails smoothly on alto..." Chip DeFaa, New York Post
"The Yalloppin Hounds have the distinction of having some of the best musicians in town in their band, plus one of the most charismatic front men I've ever seen in Lord Sledge, whose dead-on Louis Armstrong sound ain't no parody...it's perfection. The band's closing rap/swing number was an amazing highlight at the last night of Swing Mania! at NYC's Webster Hall...bringing together the swing crowd leaving the venue and the techno/rap crowd coming in. They are the only band I know of right now that not only deeply care about pleasing dancers (and are very good with their tempos), but are also willing to risk everything to infuse hip-hop into some of their material. Even if you don't like hip-hop, everyone needs to really support the movement of broadening swing into new sounds so that the genre continues to grow and evolve." "Lo-Fi" Lee Sobel, nyc swing promoter
"... an incredible experience!! These guys operate on sheer LUNG POWER. They were phenomenal to say the least. Every thing they played was at a great dance tempo for Lindy Hop or jitterbug. Every song was played with such power and dynamism that it totally blew our socks off!!!!! They really are that good. We kept stepping back and congratulating ourselves for landing such a great band. The sound is powerful and expressive and rhythmic, with solo after solo of supercharged zesty tasteful swing. One of our friends from The Hornets ( a popular local swing group) was there to witness the Yalloppin' Hounds and just about kissed their feet after the dance. He suggested we invite them back again and again. If the people in the DC area ever get a chance to see , hear, witness, and dance to the Yalloppin' Hounds wherever that may be , please do. We feel they are the best anywhere, anytime." Brian Gasser Bennett, CSDS
"The only thing predictable about the Hounds is that the crowd will love them every night -- the real stuff laid out by Sledge and G-Clef who have played with the likes of Panama Francis, Illinois Jacquet, Lionel Hampton etc. and formed this small combo that sounds like a big band. HOT DOG!"
Alan Sugarman,
NYSDS
Janice Wilson, swing dance champ
"To the greatest swing band: I have to hand it to you Hounds, you swing! Ever since I heard you at Lincoln Center last summer you've been my favorite band. To hear you guys (and gal) perform once again you were unbelievable. I must say Joey (G-Clef), when I heard "We" for the first time, it became my favorite tune. Your lyrics are beautiful. I think you are all wonderful and though I can go on and on I'll spare you. " Miss Janet, nyc fan
LINDY HOP DELUXE (2002) By Frankie Hagan courtesy of Porthalcyon.com The title of the Yallopin' Hounds CD Lindy Hop Deluxe is enough to make any seasoned swing dancer say "we'll see about that." This band obviously gears itself toward dancers, and is attempting with this album to be conscious of the music's evolution and its synergy with swing dancers. The sound of the Yallopin' Hounds might be likened to sax-ified jump blues as seen through the eyes of David Lynch during his Twin Peaks days. The melodic riffs can be slightly haunting, but maybe that's what you get when you're being thoughtful and reflective in a composition like this. The first six tracks of the CD, while all separate song titles, are meant to be perceived like a classically inspired suite that takes the listener through the history and complexity of swing dancing. The dreamy movements seem to hit on every idea, starting with Savoy Style Lindy Hop, and visiting ideas as nouveau as Hip Hop Lindy or as established as West Coast Swing. Of the initial six cuts, "Raw Shuffle" creates a classic (if a little dark) feeling within the framework of the ensembles' musical range, "Orbit Me" is both magical and strange, and easily one of this writer's favorite 'alternative' musical experiments in this genre. "Hip Hop Lindy" is exuberant and may have you breaking out into the robot. "West Coast Strut" is a jump blues/big band ensemble playing like a funk band, and the thirteenth track on this CD is a remix of the same song, for those remix loving dancers. It's good tempo west coast music, but not quite as "pop music-like" as some of the westie crowd might like. This suite was first presented in its entirety at the American Lindy Hop Championships in 2002. The remaining tracks of the CD seem to dig into the experience of Yalloppin' mastermind G-Clef and his work with passed-on swing band luminaries like Illinois Jacquet and Doc Cheatham. "Stolen Sweets" and "Black Velvet" are excellent smooth lindy cuts, as is a lengthy version of "Pennies from Heaven". For the up-tempo music fan, "Stitches" is superb, as is the Lionel Hampton tribute "Flying Home". The Yallopin' Hounds have achieved a brand of swing that is both advanced and reflective, and surely worthy of the "deluxe" label.
NEW YALLOPPIN' CITY (2001)
"A masterpiece!" Alan White, DJ, swingtop40.com
Following up on their hugely popular 1999 debut, Ghetto Swing Extreme!,
The Yalloppin' Hounds have finally released their second album, New
Yalloppin' City (Yallopin' Entertainment). The record features a new line
up, due to the departure of former lead vocalist Queen Esther and trumpet
player Lord Sledge. Lead Hound Joey Cavaseno, a.k.a. G-Clef, has combed
the five boroughs of New York City to assemble a talented bunch of young
replacements. With solid backing, Cavaseno once again proves that he is a
masterful lyricist and jazz musician, who over the past several years has
helped lead and pioneer jazz and hip-hop into what is now being referred
to as "Swing-hop." New Yalloppin' City opens with a reprise appearance by
Lord Sledge on vocals, lending a Sammy Davis touch to "Romantic Thugz."
"Sun Ray" is perhaps one of the best arrangements of Cavaseno's career
with The Hounds and spotlights new vocalist Vickie Natale. "You're Taken"
is the heartfelt sequel to "Where Have You Been?" (Ghetto Swing Extreme!),
which features bassist Peter Hartman on vocals. He again shares vocal
duties with Cavaseno on "Keep It Tight" and "Jacquet, Here's Your Jacket."
On the hip-hop tip, "Thugbrat" tells the tale of an affluent young girl
who likes to hang out with the "gangstaz" in a fun blend of rap and swing
that you will likely hear on dance floors across the nation. Overall, this
album is striking because it plays on so many different levels. From
upbeat dance numbers to soul searching ballads, Cavaseno and The Hounds
have kept their stride.
Highly recommended. "New Yalloppin' City" LP ***** (5 stars)
Yalloppin' Entertainment 2001 Excellent follow up to "GSE". There have
been a few personnel changes since the first album but G Clef the Mad
Komposa is still firmly at the controls. Jeremy Bacon on piano, Herman X
on tenor sax and Lord Sledge guesting on two tracks return from the first
outing but the good news is the new Yalloppin' Hounds are the equals of
the old Hounds. "Homegirl Hound" Vickie Natalie takes over the female
vocal duties from Queen Esther and if her voice doesn't quite have the
same power as her predecessor it she more than compensates with her
uniquely soulful qualities. A welcome addition to the band for sure.
Vickie's beautiful understated vocal on G Clef's poignant tribute to a
departed friend "Sun Ray" contributes to perhaps the most perfectly
realized Hounds song yet. The opening track "Romantic Thugz" is a neat
summation of the Hounds' hip street swing philosophy. Tough but tender
this song would be a hit single in a well ordered world where quality
music gets in the charts. We can but dream! Lord Sledge's confident vocals
are as assured as any superstar rapper and if you imagine Dr. Dre jamming
with the Count Basie Orchestra you get the picture. The band are smokin'
on this cut and Herman X's tenor sax works it's magic once more. A lovely
fluid arrangement which is tougher than a Bronx street hood but tender and
expressive like midnight in Manhattan. Harlem Apollo meets the Rainbow
Room. Ewan McNaught, Vegas Scotland
I received your two CD's yesterday. I can't stop playing them. They are both great.My favorite songs were Sun Ray, Look for Love, Why, Flat Foot Floogie and of course You Aint Sh**, The last song is my favorite. It has everything, rap, horns, a Louie Armstrong sounding vocal and a great beat. Keep it up! If you record any more CD's, let me know. Respectfully yours, Jeff Stevens , nyc fan
Ron Bloom, Ron's Swing Reviews
"Damn.
Yo G, you slammed another one. The new CD is kicking. It's awesome. Great
work man. I got it in my CD aresnal now, ready to whip out at a moments
notice. By the way, I LOVE the Thugbrat hip-hop remix. Damn that's slammin'.
I played it at the Manhattan Penthouse last time I DJed there. It rocks.
BANG! "
"...I found the saxophone solos very rewarding. Yes, there are a lot of notes in there (not as many as a Charlie Parker & co. solo), but the solos I have heard have a wonderful sense of structure and balance to them. They stretch and compress time in an elegant manner while still allowing for the beat of the song to shine through for the dancers, not an easy task! And the notes chosen comment poignantly on the song, and develop the melody and harmony simultaneously. I've heard too many solos where they just steal riffs from the tune without taking it anywhere and never step outside the boundaries of the steady tempo. I, for one, was all too happy to listen to what I consider a more refined and sensitive solo style." Mr. Happy Feet, pittsburgh fan
"First of
all, G-clef, I think this album far exceeds your proceeding
accomplishments. I bought NYC back in September when you first premiered
songs from it at Jack's. I played it so much, that when you appeared out
here with us on Long Island, I was singing along to "Thugbrat" with out
missing a word. I saw you again at Jack's for Maria's b-day and I thank
you from the bottom of my heart for making a most wonderful night for this
hep-kitten who couldn't dance cause of an injury. P.S. I've used "Swing
Freerider" when teaching my general music classes and jazz choir. The kids
really dig your music too and can't wait for you to come out our way
again. "
"I just heard the new Hounds CD for the first time, and I love it! The writing, the playing, the singing--it is all great. Congrats Joey and the rest of the Hounds. I hope the community will support it. It is a most enjoyable experience from beginning to end. Just wanted to say, Thanks, G-Clef for a great record. Thanks for giving your music to the world."
GHETTO SWING EXTREME (2000)
Recommended: Yalloppin Hounds “Ghetto Swing Extreme” LP **** (4 stars)
Yalloppin Entertainment 1999. The Hounds’ only currently available album
released in 1999 on their own label. Highly recommended. Rumours of a soon
to be released new album are circulating so let’s hope we get some more
product from this unique combo soon. ""The Hounds debut LP “Ghetto Swing
Extreme” was an “on spec” purchase from the good people at CD Now. All I
knew about these cats was they were a New York City combo who incorporated
diverse musical influences into their uniquely swinging repertoire.
And what a spicy gumbo “Ghetto Swing Extreme” proved to be. The Hounds
take a Cab Calloway/Slim Gaillard swing template and add a touch of Duke
Ellington’s hard swinging jazz style and garnish the mix with some hip-hop
flavour. Rap is after all the logical development of swings jive talkin’
pioneers. Calloway and these zoot suited cats were definitely the
prototype for for today’s rap superstars. Listen to Ella Mae Morse and
Freddie Slack’s jive on their old school gem “House of Blue Lights” and
you’ll hear hipster swing talk in it’s infancy, the proud legacy of which
was later celebrated by the uniquely eloquent Lord Buckley. Well G Clef
tha Mad Komposa keeps that beatnik vibe alive in “Ghetto Swing Extreme”
fusing hip modern street swing with his Louis Armstrong style scats and
Queen Esther’s Ella Fitzgerald influenced vocals. Stand out tracks are the
G Clef and Queen Esther call and response classic “Daddy Make It Feel
Good” and “We” both of which showcase Herman X’s tenor saxophone to great
effect. “Oops My Bad” and “You Ain’t Sh**” feature the Hounds rapping over
swing beats, traditional swing music providing a perversely fitting
backdrop to the humorous urban colloquialisms of the vocalists raps.
I recently had the good fortune to see Yalloppin Hounds live at their
favourite NYC haunt Swing 46. An truly excellent live band who delivered
two quality hour long swinging sets to an appreciative audience of swing
aficionados and novices alike
"I am swing DJ Alan White in Atlanta. I have just gotten your CD in the mail....In my opinion your CD represents a gigantic musical step forward for all of swing...Fantastic music, great respect for the groove, excellent production....I will post a major review of your CD on our local swing one-list right after the first of the year. I'm currently teasing our New Years Eve party ticket sales by saying I will debut the first real 21st century swing CD, (yours), at one minute past midnight. But when I post this review, I will copy to you. Thanks in advance. And congratulations. This is the best modern swing CD yet."
Alan "Spin Daddy" White, DJ,
swingtop40.com
"Now that this holiday is over and life is some what back to normal, time to post something that has been on my mind for nearly a week namely, Ghetto Swing Extreme from The Yalloppin Hounds. As the first song got under way I found myself wondering if this was just another barely adequate neo swing dance CD. After the first 1/4 of the song I knew it was far more than that. By Hot Dogs end I was thoroughly enjoying the tune and eagerly anticipating the next. The tempo of the second cut got me into the "yeah!" medium tempo groove. When Queen Esther starting singing I was going "no shit!" and when Sledge took his solo "you gotta be kidding." By the time the saxes got a chunk I was grinning but when Queen Esther started scatting I was won, had, hooked, zonked, and beaten into a submissive state. Oops My Bad had me falling out of my chair cracking up. I've been singing it for 5 days. "We" is another great cut with thoughtful lyrics, Queen Esther's jazzy vocal styling and great instrumentation. While the title track is obviously derived from Sing Sing Sing the call and response between G-Clef and Sledge is cool, the muted trumpet downright mean and the alto solo a solid smoker. King Of The Mall while over 10 minutes long is a delight the whole way through. Bottom line, whether you're just looking for another modern dance CD to compliment your collection or for something that takes Modern Swing music to the next level, as only a handful of bands have done, this release is well worth the doe!"
Jeff "Jazz Jester"
Parker, radio jock
Big Daddy , Minneapolis fan
Kenny,
nyc fan
Brendan McGlynn, nyc fan
Rick M, nyc fan
Elva Ramirez, Philadelphia fan
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