Rattlemouth

You don't need expensive airplane tickets to take a worldwide trip. You can attend a Rattlemouth gig and be transported to such far-off locales as Lebanon, Cuba, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Cameroon. Richmond's leading purveyors of world music, Rattlemouth consists of saxophonist Danny Finney and drummer Robbie Kinter, who took leave from the Ululating Mummies 20 years ago to form a wide-ranging (always danceable) musical ensemble. Fellow rattlers now include bassist Marc Langlier, guitarist (and lead arranger) George Lowe, and the group's newest member, saxophonist Roger Carroll. The group's most recent disc, arguably its best, is "5," where you will find this infectious rendition of the Venezuelan folk song, "Caballo Viejo." Thinking globally and grooving locally — that's Rattlemouth. - Style Weekly

Now in their 22nd year, Rattlemouth is one of Richmond’s long-lived bands. They’ve thrived on their ability to evolve through the years – they started out as a kind of Euro-improv art-rock combo, they’ve written and performed music for dance and film, and their focus right now is on world music. This, their fifth full-length recording, captures the core of their current live shows – arrangements by guitarist George Lowe of classic compositions from Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. There’s no category for what this band is doing; it’s closer to jazz than rock for sure, so these are interpretations not covers, and each one sounds more like Rattlemouth than like the original recordings that inspired them. The band is fortunate to have two outstanding saxophone soloists in Danny Finney and Roger Carroll; they’re propelled by a rhythm section (Lowe plus bassist Marc Langelier and drummer Robbie Kinter) who are economical and sympathetic in a manner that comes only from years of playing together. If you’re at all interested in world music or jazz, give this one a listen – it’s absolutely world class.
REVIEWER: Bill Lupoletti
RECOMMENDED TRACKS: 1 2 4 5 7 - Global A Go-Go

With a full drum kit, saxophone, and both electric bass and electric guitar they were able to quickly drown out the idle chatter of the audience with their own blend of sounds from around the world. Their music might best be described as hypnotic...As the music began to take ahold of my brain, I quickly gave up andy hope of conventional reporting. These are not the kind of grooves under the influence of which you can think rationally.
Even going back over my recording of the night I find myself becoming lost in the rhythmic nature of the music. With Robbie Kinter and Marc Langelier forcefully driving the beat along on drums and bass, it is easy for Danny Finney’s haunting saxophone to carry you away to another existence entirely. And when George Lowe takes the lead on guitar, it is equally mesmerizing. - Magazine 33

With a full drum kit, saxophone, and both electric bass and electric guitar they were able to quickly drown out the idle chatter of the audience with their own blend of sounds from around the world. Their music might best be described as hypnotic...As the music began to take ahold of my brain, I quickly gave up andy hope of conventional reporting. These are not the kind of grooves under the influence of which you can think rationally.
Even going back over my recording of the night I find myself becoming lost in the rhythmic nature of the music. With Robbie Kinter and Marc Langelier forcefully driving the beat along on drums and bass, it is easy for Danny Finney’s haunting saxophone to carry you away to another existence entirely. And when George Lowe takes the lead on guitar, it is equally mesmerizing. - Magazine 33

"Navigating musical terrain that straddles and crosses cultural boundaries, Rattlemouth crafts a sophisticated sound experience from widespread global influences. "The single unifying thread that runs through all the international music we play is a lovely and positive spirit. It also grooves like hell," says Rattlemouth guitarist George M Lowe, who counts traditional Ethiopian music, Ethio Jazz, Lebanese Trance, Cuban Jazz, Chimurenga from Zimbabwe, Reggae, and South African Township Jazz among the musical forms that compose this veteran art rock band's current body of work."
— Anika Imajo, GRID - Greater Richmond GRID