Tribe of Gypsies
Hard Roxx magazine
After listening to tens of thousands of records over the last 25 odd years, I rarely get my doors blown off, but by golly, I'm legitimately floored by these guys who hail from LA, California. Led by guitar-wiz Roy Z (ex Project Driver, Bruce Dickinson) and Dean Ortega (ex Neverland) on vocals, this all Latin band play a very Santana, Allman Brothers style of rock with a great sense of AOR style added in for good measure. Opener "In My Town" is pure, unadulterated Santana. You could almost smell the tacos and fajitas in the air. "Death Song" is a classic AOR tinged track with massive swelling vocals from the gigantically talented Dean Ortega. "Guajira" is a track that the legendary Carlos Santana would kill for, while "Walking On Water" is very Allman Brothers influenced, with a guitar solo from Roy Z that has Dickie Betts' name all over it. Fucking awesome!! "Mero Mero Mambo" is a gorgeous, Latin-filled instrumental that has some amazing fretwork from Mr. Z. "Fire Dance" rocks big and bad, with its Latin percussion, but the real show stopper is the epic "We All Bleed Red", which is seven plus minutes of nail-biting intensity. Every damn track, and there are thirteen of them, is tremendous. If you buy one Jap import from now to the New Year, let this be it.
Rating : 10/10 - Hard Roxx (UK) - Tom Coyne
An anthemic combination of Latin and instrumental hard rock, Tribe of Gypsies is an explosion of guitars, drums, and well-timed hooks. This debut from the Los Angeles outfit of the same name is extremely rare in its pure musical accomplishment and thematic depth and clarity. Each track serves a specific and dynamic purpose, as producer/guitarist Roy Z leads his bandmates (vocalist Dean Ortega, drummer Dave Ingraham, percussionist Mario Aguilar, and bassist Edward Casillas) through 13 tracks of rock that's progressive in its pure dynamism, but transcends the emotional vacuum of most eclectic varieties of progressive or "world" rock. Choice selections include the live favorite "Party (Ed's Thumb)," the epic "We All Bleed Red," and the opener, "En Mi Barrio," a fine Abraxas-era Santana sendup that features Z's fluent homage to the Latin king of the solid-body guitar. After a few songs, Z leaves the syncopated stabs at improvised melodicism behind and goes for pure speed. Perhaps the guitarist was just leaning on all his old metal tricks, but when offset against the hard-edged pockets driven by Aguilar's timbales and Ingraham's fine rhythmic groundwork, the musical experiment works. With Z's towering guitars swelling up inside every bar of music on Tribe of Gypsies, it would have been easy for Ortega to take cover and never step out, but the singer rides the many instrumental crescendos, tossing in a few nice licks of his own. An eye-opening affair, Tribe of Gypsies is one of the strongest rock debuts of the mid-'90s.
Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide
This CD is very much in demand especially in Europe because it's a Japan import. I don't understand why there is not any label here that would license it for European fans. This band has already the new EP out there which also has got positive responses from press. Tribe Of Gypsies play hard rock with African/Mexican music elements. I would call them the heavier variation on Santana. This CD works up some enthusiasm for the listeners, it's almost radio-friendly and doesn't make great demands on you. Recommended.
Rating : 4 out of 5 - Edge of Time #13 - SV
The Atomic Chaser
If there is one band that is ready to make a major impact in the rock music world, it is The Tribe Of Gypsies. Tribe Of Gypsies is by far the best rock in Los Angeles, bar none. Already making their impact on the local LA scene, The Tribe Of Gypsies is ready to take their brand of Latin-flavored rock and take the rock music world by storm. The Tribe Of Gypsies features fine musicians and a guitarist by the name of ROY Z. Remember his name because you will be hearing a lot about him in the years to come. His guitar playing is powerful, filled with energy and emotion. He has an uncanny way of making his guitar sing. It will simply hypnotize you. Those who are not yet familiar with The Tribe Of Gypsies, won't have to wait too long before you do. They already released their powerful debut CD in Japan and are currently working on getting a deal for US release.
Some of you may have already heard Roy’s guitar playing on Bruce Dickinson CD ‘BALLS TO PICASSO’, an album on which Bruce is backed up by The Tribe Of Gypsies. Currently, Roy is back in the studio with Bruce working on his next release. Joining Bruce and Roy is Adrian Smith who played with Bruce in IRON MAIDEN. With Roy and Adrian playing together one can only believe the final outcome will be "Monstrous"! I cannot say enough to describe how great a rock band The Tribe Of Gypsies are. All I can say is that you have to listen for yourself. If you get an opportunity to see The Tribe of Gypsies perform live, do so! They are awesome! To see Roy Z. play his guitar is a spectacle in itself. The Tribe Of Gypsies, one band that is definitely "Armed and Ready"!
The Atomic Chaser - Tony Siskin
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