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Quotes for "Painted Rock":
At this juncture it is time for all parties to take a deep breath and unwind from this roller coaster ride of a journey as we regain our senses and take a stab at reality for a second or two. Painted Rock is an express train with no stops along the way as the music is pure, untainted and gets you to your destination in rapid fashion, yet the key ingredient here is the sustained and altogether gratifying entertainment value, featuring loads of impact! - * * * * *
Glenn Astarita All About Jazz
A stellar second outing by Percy's post-fusionquartet with vibist Marc Wagnon, guitarist Van Manakas, and drummer Frank Katz. Benefiting from an excellent overall and low-end bass mix - and Katz's natural backbeat - Percy packs a real groove punch, from the angular funk of the tittle track to his hard-swinging walking line on "Bad American Dream 2001."
Chris Jisi Bass Player Magazine
The mellow toned Van Manakas on guitar shares the improvisation with Wagnon as the inventive rhythm section of Frank Katz (drums) and Brand X bass legend Percy Jones explore the grooves.
There is excellent variety on this release from the intense drum driven "Neuro- Transmitter" to the floating "Quai Des Brumes."
"Boys In The Ud" goes on a Middle Eastern journey with the exotic guitar work of Manakas.
Lots of interesting rhythms, melodies,sounds and time feels are what make this release an exceptional instrumental collection that serious fusion lovers will certainly enjoy. This music moves in a fresh, new direction. - Mike Haid, Fuse Magazine
Wagnon plays "MIDI Vibes," and this allows him to use a lot of sounds that keyboard players use. Thus, one hears by turns vibes, Rhodes piano, strings, synth patches, giving the music a broader timbral range than one might expect otherwise. I came away from this recording especially impressed with the playing of guitarist Van Manakas, whose great melodicism is tasteful and whose speed is stunning. On "Boys in the Ud," Manakas's ud playing triggers a markedly Middle-Eastern jam that, while it is not representative of the style of the band's music as a whole, is a real highlight. - John Covach, Progression
...these are ferocious performers
Hot in the mix, Katz's speed-ridden grace notes and dazzling drum combinations are like a boxer in a race with the clock. Drawing on Mike Clark, Tony Williams, and Kenwood Dennard, his technique is explosive. But supported by his diamond-hard groove, Katz is truly something special in an era of progressive drummers long on flash and short on feel. Hard-knuckeld fusion without a hint of acoustic seasoning may not be for everyone's taste, but Tunnels revel in the assault - Ken Micallef Modern Drummer
The music is definitly early fusion oriented and cleverly conceived for a post-'70s Y2K era
Modern and classic jazz-rock fusion ideals congeal to offer a new music that has a stance standing solidly in both idioms with the powerful, clearly identifiable bass of Jones plopped squarely in the middle. Recommended, especially for devotees. Michael G. Nastos AllMusicGuide
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