Campus Bands Captivate Sco

Students play Jazz, Art Noise, and Hip Hop

Rhythm and soul descended upon the 'Sco Wednesday night, as the first Campus Bands Night of the academic year dazzled the student faithful in the manner of bombs bursting in air. Absolutely free of charge, this latest electrifying installment of the event featured four student musical groups, who, in the diversity of their offerings, encompassed a broad variety of tastes.

Indeed, on display was a full gamut of popular styles, from noisy punk to soulful jazz, incorporating as well rocking hip and rolling hop to a delightful response.

The first group, a rootsy pop outfit called The Unseen Exit Machine, entertained early birds with a refined sound in a loosely jazz-rock vein. Synthesizer touches and a well-integrated violin brought inspired flair to the group even at the rare moments when they ventured perilously close to that questionable territory where only Dave Matthews tribute bands should dare tread. All in all, The Unseen Exit Machine were a pleasant opener.

The show took a turn for the cacophanous with The Court Mask who proceeded to plunder in footloose fashion the "noise-as-art" aesthetic. They treated eager listeners to an exercise in the use of amplifier feedback and adrenaline.

Though the volume and resonance of the electric bass seemed to approach the frequency at which the human digestive system bursts like a pinata, those present seemed satisfied with the near-pyrotechnic power of The Court Mask's no-holds-barred approach.

An even more pronounced genre shift was brought about by the third band, the hip-hop ensemble 7-SIP. Adorned in New York Jets jerseys, they catered to a different sensibility than the prior two bands and proved to be a welcome departure from the evening's norm.

With all due respect to the other groups involved, the true highlight of Campus Bands Night was Roots of Rhythm who fused genres effortlessly, creating such a high level of enthusiasm that the ŒSco began to swing as their performance gathered steam. Essentially a jazz band, they showcased the marevlous and imminently soulful female vocalist Tai Collins and a sort of Beat-Rap counterpoint. With traces of funk and salsa interspersed in this truly impressive jazz experience, Roots of Rhythm should have put to bed any doubts about the success of the night's show.