fo/mo/deep
= An Eclectic Groove Oriented – Funky Jazz Collective.
Best known for their sizzling live performances, the fo/mo/deep groove is rooted in the experimental school of the 70s…a time when jazz, soul and funk were one and the same. Seeking to defy the ordinary, this diverse collective of seasoned pros keeps things stirred up with unpredictable energy that moves. The music harkens back to the days when super groups hypnotized the world with bass driven ensembles and a full-bodied sound that reigned supreme. fo/mo/deep plays music like it’s meant to be…hot, incalculable and emotionally satisfying and fun for all ages.
“A Beautiful Bang” (June 2012) is the sophomore CD release for fo/mo/deep. Their first CD, “Eclecticism,” (August 2010) was received with rave reviews. Rob Young of The Urban Flux declared, “Their unique groove uncoil with a twist of eclectic jazz/funk rhythms that’s not heard often enough these days.” Formed back 2007 by Bassist/Bandleader, Ron “Fatkat” Holmes, Jr., they are known for their intelligently energetic and unpredictable shows, their live appearances supporting the CD release created a formidable reputation for this funk-infused band.
Amazingly, “A Beautiful Bang” masterfully transfers the insatiable energy of the band’s live performances to the recording studio. The songs engrave the canvas of the record with sizzling bursts of improvisation, while also capturing the emotional essence of more delicate instrumental conversations. Tastefully varied but cohesive melded, the music lives in the moment.
fo/mo/deep members include:
Ron “FatKat” Holmes. Jr (Bass)
Keith Newton (Sax, Flute)
Kevin Jones (Keyboards)
Kenneth “Pounce” Pouncey (Percussion)
Andre Scott (Drums)
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What folks are saying:
Joe Mallory, Project ArtReach (Jazz in the Park Festival): I thank you sincerely for all you have done to help our organization and the amazing performance fo/mo/deep gave for 2 hours at our 10th Anniversary! ……you guys are Gold in my book! Outstanding Job…”
Project Artreach, (Jazz in the Park Festival): “Good morning, Ron! You guys were fantastic! I had the opportunity to hear some of your set – in between running around on the cart. However, the comments from the crowd were extremely positive. Thank you again for being so gracious with your support of Project ArtReach; ya’ll ROCK!”
Gail Burkholder, (Comfest): “As someone who’s seen them from their first show on, I highly recommend this CD. I’ve used their music as a bed when hosting Jazz Sunday on WCBE and headlined them on the Jazz Stage at Comfest. As someone with lots of choices of bands, I keep returning to fo/mo/deep when I need to get my groove on. Festival/club bookers, they will get your crowd dancing!”
Jay Snyder, (Riverfront Arts Festival): “Ron and the rest of Fo/Mo/Deep are as good as it gets. They know how to light an audience on fire, bringing a whole musical toolkit and the skills to fix your flats. They were regulars at the Riverfront Art Festival when I was there – just mention their name and people get excited around here. They have a well deserved reputation as Columbus’s preferred soundtrack. I hope I have the excuse to hire them again!”
The UrbanFlux.com by Rob Young…“A Beautiful Bang” embodies an assorted boutique of thirteen jams for the discerning ears of contemporary, urban, soul and smooth jazz lovers to taste, stir and savor with each spin. Out of the box, the groove begins with a tune pen by the dynamic duo Holmes and Newton on the uniquely titled “Jawjacka’.” This chart poppin’ groove opens with funky bass licks supplied by the versatile Ron Holmes, accompanied by the ensemble they pound away relentlessly too reinforce the upbeat rhythms accentuate their accessible and distinct sound……
Ronald Jackson, The Smooth Jazz Ride…A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing a very eclectic mix of jazz, funk, and world jams from a group called fo/mo/deep in its debut release appropriately titled Eclecticism. It was packed with body and powerful grooves that made this sophomore release, A Beautiful Bang, almost inevitable. Full of the same style of smooth yet funky jazz and even more world vibes with smart phrasing and timing, sharp keys playing, plenty of floor shakin’ bottom, and crisp sax work, this new project should be received as well, if not better, than its predecessor.
Chris Mann, smoothjazzdaily.com…In the years that I’ve been writing about music, it’s always been a pleasure to hear the latest release from my favorite artists. It’s a real joy though to hear music this good from a band I just discovered. The writing, performing and producing talent on display here is really dazzling, but what I like most is the honest, funky nature of a band that knows where its roots lay, what it does well and what its audiences are going to love.
S. Victor Aaron, somethingelsereviews.
Brent Black, @CriticalJazz…I see nothing mentioning a major label deal but if there are indeed exceptions to a rule then fo/mo/deep may indeed be the Independent band to start with as A Beautiful Bang is as good as any major label contemporary release I’ve heard this year. Why? There are no production crutches used to wake those from the sonic coma some contemporary records seem to magically induce or to aid the rhythmically challenged. A real working band. Cats that can play, play well and pull from a variety of influences and make their own sound that smashes barriers including the musical glass ceiling that most contemporary acts can not come close to crashing. Jazz/Funk/World – call it anything you want. A Beautiful Bang kills on every possible level.
Jazz Review, Randall Parrish:….The auspicious debut of fo/mo/deep is exhilarating music. Eclecticism whets the appetite for more, much more. As the legendary great Miles Davis once said jazz music has to have that thing. I believe that Miles would agree: Eclecticism has it.
TheUrbanMusicScene, Peggy Oliver:..Their self-released debut, Eclecticism, presents some of modern jazz and jazz fusions finest hours, along with some original treats from the pen of Holmes, Jr. Daring to take on jazz greats like Cannonball & Nat Adderley, Charlie Hunter, Lonnie Liston Smith and John Coltrane, fo/mo/deep convincingly resurrects the seventies and early eighties, a period when music was played with a focused, fiery spirit.
Hans-Bernd Hülsmann – Smooth Jazz Daily:…..With Eclecticism will fo/mo/deep certainly raise a lot of attention in the jazz community. This band has character and diversity. High recommendable in particular for live events!
Smooth Jazz Therapy, Denis Pool:…. Those of you who enjoy your contemporary jazz on the dangerous side could do worse than to check out the CD Eclecticism from the interestingly named fo/mo/deep. This rhythmic roller coaster from a band who describe themselves as an eclectic, groove orientated and funky jazz collective has its share of outstanding tracks while as a reference point Gill Scott-Heron or Brass Construction would be good places at which to start. Indeed original compositions by the bands leader and bass player Ron Holmes Jr. sit very tidily with material from Lonnie Liston Smith, Charlie Hunter, John Coltrane and Nat Adderley. As a consequence the entire collection drips with 70s style nostalgia but in doing so never sounds out of date……
