BLUE NUMBER NINE: blue number nine

blue number nine

blue number nine

© 2000 check other music (515470003227)

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Eclectic funky rock soul groovin tunes

tracks

1 Hook In
2 Jerking My Chains
3 The Moment I Saw the Sun
4 Sweet Sugar Honey
5 All the Way
6 You Tell Me I Know
7 Make Believe
8 Cog in a Wheel
9 Demons Follow Me
10 Safe to Fight
11 Coming Back Human

notes

An amazing live phenomenon and 6-11 members deep, blue number nine is all about fun. It's nothing less than a tornado on the stage that shakes up the crowd whenever this tight and lively unit kicks out their original jams.

Formed in Jersey City in 1995, with members from NJ and NY, blue number nine is lead by Stefanie Seskin (lead vocals/flute/songwriter), a former soccer jock who holds a Master's in Communications and a 2001-2004 recipient of the ASCAPLU$ songwriter award from ASCAP in the Popular category.

blue number nine is the first independent band ever to receive an endorsement from Ultimate Support, creators of guitar, speaker, microphone and other stands. Drummer Jack Gourdine received an endorsement from Silver Fox Percussion in 2002. The band was invited two years in a row (2000 & 2001) to play the Levi's First Stage at Jones Beach prior to the headliner, Chicago, and in 2000, the band was a finalist in the Sennheiser Evolution band contest.

reviews

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  • She sings, she raps, she plays the flute like a virtuoso!
    author: Richard Hughes - Good Times Magazine

    Ladies and gentlemen, step right up! She sings, she raps, she plays the flute like a virtuoso! 'She' is Stefanie Seskin, and her band, Blue Number Nine, has been making some waves throughout the Northeastern U.S. The self-titled Blue Number Nine is this band's first full-length CD. It offers up a hefty dose of funk, rock and R&B, in the same vein as bands such as Deep Banana Blackout and Mother Freedom. Those who have seen them will agree that this is a great live band. Here, they've done a very capable job of capturing the energy and fun of their live shows on disc, not an easy task. The musicianship of the band is tight, without being overly showy about it. They can rock when rocking is required, but they can also take it down a notch, and set a mellow groove, when that's what the music really needs. Vocally, the band is outstanding. Seskin's voice is eminently pleasant to listen to, and it's nicely supported by both male and female backup vocals from Kim Preston, Jennifer Kelly and Diane Chiorello. The best songs include 'Cog In A Wheel,' about following the dreams that let you escape that 9 to 5 rut (with vocals that suggest a Motown influence); the blazing 'Sweet Sugar Honey,' the beautiful and touching 'You Tell Me I Know,' a song about regaining trust in love, even after suffering through previous hurts ('It used to be 'Don't say it if it's not so!'/But now when I say ' I love you,' you tell me 'I know!'); and 'Safe To Fight,' which has an almost Sly and the Family Stone feel to it. To check the band out, and learn more about the CD, visit their website at www.bluenumbernine.com.

  • Funky And Creative
    author: Zenboy

    This band is funky and and very musically creative. My favorite song is Hook In.

  • Strongly recommended listen!!!
    author: Pam West - Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter

    For several years now, I’ve been familiar with the music of NYC/Jersey-based smooth funk, pop rock singer and flutist Stefanie Seskin and her world-class band blue number nine. I also know the sacrifices and hard work that went into making this album. From the summer sunny breezy funk of the lead track "Hook In," right into industrial strength soul a la Aretha Franklin in "Jerking My Chains," the music jumped out at me as being some of the freshest of its kind I’ve heard in a long while. Each song showcases tasteful, orchestrated arrangements with horns, guitar, flute, and piano/keys while successfully keeping a jazzy dance groove churning under the mix. "The Moment I Saw the Sun" is a power-pop ballad with gorgeous piano intro, while their single "Sweet Sugar Honey" swings to the sound of a growling trombone, jazz vocals, rich harmonies, and yummy horns in general. "All the Way" reminds me of Basia with a pleasant edge. Stefanie’s flute is totally tasty in a Grand Funk way during "You Tell Me I Know." They’ve achieved some sophisticated world-market, danceable pop with American Motown soul ingrained in the groove. Strongly recommended listen!!!

  • It's replanted 60s grass for dance masters of the 00s
    author: Ben Ohmart - MusicDish e-Journal

    One of the quotes in their promo sheet was that Blue #9 doesn't just play music, they throw a party wherever they go. That, is correct. 'Hook In' comes somewhere around Edie Brickell And The New Bohemians' doing their 'what I am is what I am' hit. Metallic guitar, flute, several beat makers, oh there's more here than that ex-hippie Edie. It's replanted 60s grass for dance masters of the 00s. If anyone remembers that famous Helen Reddy song with the multi-female chorus 'you don't mess with a woman!' then consider that while listening to the sexy sounds of 'Jerkin' My Chain'. You'll dig the chorus of 'chain chain chain!' done by a crew of vixens, complaining, 'when we started, you were so sincere / my knight in armor, I had nothing to fear / you never did things that you did not feel / I should've known that you were not for real.' Uh oh. Looks like the end of the relationship, doesn't it? Sounds fun too, if you don't have to live the song. 'Sweet Sugar Honey' is much like what modern composers come up with when renovating the 1940s sound. The horns and the harmony singers not to mention the trilling, low trumpet solo make this song a standout, in several ways. First, it's really the only song Like this on the cd, so I'm not sure what alternative teens are going to think of it. If they listen to old time radio shows, they'll respect what the 9 is doing here. Otherwise, perhaps it's just hot nostalgia? Well, it is. And then the very next song switches styles utterly again. Like the Miami Sound Machine's brand of tight rhythm-ballad production? Then 'All the Way' is what you need to turn to first. 'I didn't mean to be as cold as the rain in fall / I wasn't being flippant like some know-it-all / when I told you I've heard that same sad song before / the one about the broken heart that just can't love any more'. It's got the newest copyright of any song on the cd, perhaps this is the way the band is grooving now? I sure wouldn't mind. The songs come from a 5 year period, which probably accounts for the shifts in the tide on this cd. Veers around much, but keeps a consistent Jollity within the large musicianship they employ. If you're having a get together, keep this on behind the scenes.

  • Plenty of breezy funk, jazzy ballads and grooves
    author: Jennifer Layton - Indie-Music.com

    Blue Number Nine has released a debut CD with plenty of breezy funk, jazzy ballads and grooves, and a lead vocalist who sounds like a mix of Rickie Lee Jones and Edie Brickell. The vocal harmonies and lovely use of the flute, piano, and horns add a touch of elegance to these tracks. The songs are ones you can relate to while you’re caught up in the sound. I like the message of “Hook In,” a refusal to be assimilated into the way things are. “I am too a sinner, I don’t claim to be no saint,” sings Stefanie Seskin, “But I can’t take advantage of someone else in any way, while what I find and what I see in this wealthy country are people using people, justified as just business.” As someone who spends her days working in the corporate world, all I can say is “Amen.” “Sweet Sugar Honey” takes the sensual path towards the good things in life, cutting through the bad news and sour faces in the world. There’s a sense of determination in each of these songs to achieve something better in this world. Even the heartbreak song “Jerkin’ My Chain” keeps its chin up: “The good news baby is I’ve seen the light, and yeah, I know I’m gonna be all right, and some day, baby when you’re toothless and bald, you’ll wonder why you can’t have it all.” The band’s goal is funkification of the planet. They’re off to a good start.

  • Rare indie success
    author: Greg Steele

    I gave this CD 5 stars because the band did it all and what a job they've done. I primarily listen to and buy indie bands' music and this CD is about as pro as they come. I bought it in August and still listen to it regularly. I like just about every song and the production is excellent!

  • can't pick a favorite tune
    author: Renee

    This CD has so many great tunes on it, i can't pick a favorite, though I'm leaning towards sweet sugar honey. The production is good, musicianship average in places, stellar in others (great bass on Safe To Fight). the songs are really hits!

  • Super Dyno-Funk, with a touch of Soul
    author: Livio

    I got this album as a present from two good friends of mine. They knows I love jazz, funk and soul so he thought I would enjoy it. Well, I DID A LOT (thanks SS and MA)! I have forwarded my gift copies to other "funkofiles" friends of mine, and I am sure I won't disappoint them! Last but not least: do check out this band often, they are not here for a ride!

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