Album Notes

"MASI HAS A VERY SOULFUL VOICE...YOU CAN CLEARLY HEAR SOUTHERN ROOTS IN HIS MUSIC WITH BLUESY RIFFS AND WONDERFUL STORY TELLING." - LITTLE RAT BASTARD

"THE FIRST THING THAT STRIKES ME...IS HOW PASSIONATE IT SOUNDS. I REALLY LIKE THE GROOVE IN THESE SONGS THAT SHOWS WHAT A GOOD SONGWRITER JASON IS..." -MELODIC.NET

"MASI KNOWS HOW TO WRITE SONGS. EVEN BETTER, HE KNOWS HOW TO PERFORM THEM...MASI DOESN'T OVERSELL ANYTHING...THERE ISN'T A HINT OF STRAIN ANYWHERE, WHICH IS IMPRESSIVE AND UNUSUAL." -AIDABET.COM

"A GREAT DEAL OF COMMERCIAL APPEAL FOR AN UNDERGROUND RELEASE...WE COULD EASILY HEAR THESE SONGS BEING PICKED UP BY COMMERCIAL RADIO OR AS BACKING MUSIC FOR A NUMBER OF CABLE TELEVISION PROGRAMS..GOOD SOLID STUFF DELIVERED WITH HEART AND SOUL." -BABYSUE.COM

"...MAJOR USP IS MASI'S VOICE, WHICH IS ONE OF THOSE SOULFUL ONES THAT COULD MAKE THE BACK OF A CORNFLAKES PACKET SOUND SULTRY. HE CAN EMOTE WITH THE BEST OF THEM TOO..." -AMERICANA UK

"JASON MASI IS SOMEONE YOU WANT TO GET TO KNOW, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH HIS SOUNDS, HIS LYRICS, AND THEN GO FIND HIM AT AS MANY OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVALS AS POSSIBLE!" -LOVE SOUND MAGAZINE

Jason Masi, the vocalist/guitarist of the Richmond, VA based band Jubeus has recently released a solo album. Balance & Pull finds Jason exploring more natural sounds and less of the electric grooves that are part of the Jubeus sound. Upright Bass and dobro kick off the album’s opening track “Dust & Bone” as Jason sings of spiritual hunger. “Lord would you give me a chance to free a sense of young love inside of here.” A theme of simple faith and thanksgiving weaves its way throughout the tracks and the tone of the album is one of hopeful vulnerability.

Jason enlists local musicians such as Brian Jones and Jubeus’ bassist/vocalist, Mike Jarvis, plays guitar throughout the album. “Keep Movin On” has a jazzy flow accentuated by Mark Ingraham’s trumpet. Daniel Clake’s Wurlitzer adds the driving undertone and groove on the energetic third track “Being Alive.” The saxophone work of JC Kuhl on “In the Afternoon” is smooth and hopeful.

While the first six tracks of the album maintain a moderate groove, the album ends on a softer, dreamy and expansive note. “Catching Up Again” stands out as the strongest among the up-tempo tracks. Songs like “Get it Right”, “Happy”, “Out of Our Minds” and “Ease Your Worried Mind” flourish with warm strings, delicate piano and organ tones that create a canvas for the more vulnerable reaches of Jason’s vocal range. Nate Leath and Craig Sowby’s violin work complements the more contemplative and vulnerable tone of the later half of the album. They complement Masi’s accessible vocals well.
Balance and Pull is an album with both sonic and lyrical depth. Some of the simplest elements prove the most effective on the album; particularly the echoing-rim shot and gentle percussive piano work on “Ease Your Worried Mind”. Simplicity, honesty and vulnerability make Masi’s voice appealing and accessible and Balance & Pull an enjoyable listen. "
*Elliot Crane - Dandelion Ink

Jason Masi (vocals, guitar) has written some exceptional songs and delivers them with a tender forcefulness.
*Skid Dickson - harderbeat.com

...Stellar Vocals...
*Laura Idema - Performing Songwriter

It's not hard to imagine this blaring out of every dorm room on campus. Strong vocals abound.
*Laze - addreviews.com