Kindred spirits

The Psychic Horns meld music and minds

by Bob Gulla

Five or so years ago, Dan Moretti, John Allmark, and John Wheeler, three of the area's most accomplished jazzbos, buddied up in something called the Psychic Horns. With the help of a rotating rhythm section, the trio explored the coarser corners of horn-powered jazz, blues, and R&B. Though tenor saxophonist Moretti traditionally dabbles in straight-ahead and Latin Jazz, among other areas, Allmark does his Monday evening swing thing at Bovi's, and Wheeler currently does extensive session work down in Gotham, when the three come together as the Psychic Horns, a whole new beast comes to life, snorting with prime Memphis R&B muscle, horn-rock derivations, and sweet, spicy blues. The music comes packaged in a much looser context than the musicians' primary gigs, which is why it crosses audience boundaries pretty swiftly.

Anyway, it was five years ago that the band was most active. But the trio was so busy in other areas of their careers that they never stayed together long enough to make a record. "People always remembered the band and how good it was," says Moretti. "So I decided to talk to John [Allmark] and arrange a reunion." The Horns played at Leon's On the West Side one Wednesday about a year ago and the band, according to Moretti, apparently sounded better than ever. That's when they made the decision to enter the studio.

"The original idea was to do two sessions and make it a live jazz-type record," says Moretti. But the production became more involved and the stuff sounded so hot they decided to go in and do some overdubbing.

Both Allmark and Moretti wrote, arranged, and produced, while Whaling City Sounds' Neal Weiss came through with studio time and distribution. The recording will be released nationally after the New Year. Only those who attend the CD release party up at Chan's this weekend will have access to the special limited edition disc the Horns will release exclusively to this Rhode Island audience.

And, boy, is it worth it. Not only does the record bleed through horn-based boundaries like acid jazz, and the aforementioned R&B and blues, it's wonderfully produced, great-sounding, and full of smokin' performances. Sidemen include lots of top-notch talent, including Ben Cook on keys, Bruce Bartlett on guitar, Bill Miele on bass, and drummers Vinny Pagano and Marty Richards. (Jim Gwin will sit behind the kit at the party on Friday.)

Not only is the record excellent and the prospect of a scorching show equally spot-on, another real story behind the disc is the versatility and accomplishment of these musicians. They may be restless, some may even call them unfocused. But the truth is, Allmark and Moretti see possibilities in all manner of horn-based musical expression.

"I still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up," jokes Moretti. "I haven't been focused on any one style forever. Most musicians who have to make a living have to be very diverse. When you're younger you do what you can to survive. I still feel that drive to do whatever I need to do.

"In one sense, I guess you could say that guys like John and me aren't experts in any one thing. But we're accomplished at a lot of different things. You do what you have to do, and fortunately we have fun doing it."

The Psychic Horns will celebrate the limited edition CD release on Friday at 8 p.m. at Chan's, 267 Main Street, Woonsocket. Tickets are $10. Call 765-1900.

POCKET CIRCUS. Intent on changing the world's music scene, or at least the one here in Providence, Rattlehead Records announces a night of blockbuster entertainment even you might be interested in. It's called a Pocket Circus. What is a Pocket Circus? I'll let Sean over at Rattlehead explain it for you. "It's a small chunk of chaos and the ultimate jam. We took three of the freshest sounds on the scene: Treehouse Union, Big Jon Tierney and the Truth, and the Bruce LeRoy Experience and will present these bands without set breaks. (And only one stage: two would be cheating!) The music will be continuous from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. -- five hours, three bands, 15 musicians. That's what we call a circus!"

How will they pull it off? Well, they're not going to say exactly. You'll just have to show to find out. "This is a unique, unusual gig that may never happen again. The order of performers will not even be determined until that night. The logistics could easily overwhelm us and decay into chaos; but only those that are there will know what happened when the dust clears."

If you're a skeptic, find out for yourself at the label's site (www.rattleheadrecords.com/pocketcircus) or from a real voice at 738-8647. Whatever, the night takes place this Saturday at the Living Room, and all ages are invited. Cough up $5 at the door and you're in like Flynn.

"The thing about Rattlehead and the events we put on is that they are unique. I'll just say that. We've already generated so much interest about this that it just might be a regular thing. Like I said, how we're going to do it is a secret, but it'll be amazing if it works!"

WANDERING EYE. Delta Clutch headlines the Green Room on Friday, with the Irish bands Skyrocket opening the show. There's also a new Delta Clutch record on the horizon, entitled Too Normal/Too Weird, produced by Tim O'Heir. It's due out in late October.

Here's the skinny on this Saturday's Stone Soup show. Local legend Ken Lyon of the Tombstone Blues Band and Pendragon will be taking the stage tonight in an acoustic setting. Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Kerri Powers from the Taunton area will open with a strong, persuasive set of her own. She's definitely not of the shrinking violet folksinger variety. The show begins at 8 at the Soup's sweet new home at Slater Mill, right on the Blackstone River in downtown Pawtucket. Take exit 28 or 29 off Route 95 and follow the brown signs. Admission is only $8.

Also on Saturday, the Met Cafe hosts the long-awaited Tommy and the Terrors CD release party with a bunch of good bands, including the Hudson Falcons, No Regard, South of Providence, Roachenders, and Line's Drawn.

There's something called the Indian SummerFest also going down on Saturday, and it sounds pretty worthwhile. It's a music and drumming event to benefit the SouthCoast Music Foundation, a group that provides rehearsal space for young musicians and bands. The Foundation is also looking to open a high school with a music-based curriculum. On hand will be Entrain (lots of percussion there), Kimme Josse (West African drumming and dance with New Bedford's own Danny Schwartz), Native American drummers and a handful of local student talent. Everyone is invited to bring their own drum for the workshops and the open drumming slot at sunset that closes the event. The location is the Holy Ghost Society of Horseneck on Allen's Neck Road in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Call Rich Taber at (508) 993-1999 for more info.

Lastly, I'd like to issue an apology for a reference I made regarding a recent Itchies show at the Green Room. I, being typically impossibly hip, called the Itchies "bad local talent." Of course, I meant "baaaad" and I sure hope the band knew that. After all, aren't they? But some folks still misinterpreted my reference, despite my love for the band. The next time I'll think more carefully before I decide to be hip.