Little Hercules raise the pressure

The members of Little Hercules must have been a nightmare when they were gestating in their mothers' wombs because these guys were born partying and haven't stopped. Little Hercules mosh when they brush their teeth. They don't eat food; they boogie with it until the energy they need is transferred by osmosis. Little Hercules don't make love, love is spontaneously created in the air wherever they walk. This local band has the Devil in a right twizzle because he's worried they'll be too noisy for Hell. Little Hercules is actually a NATO weapon deployed in the Rocky Mountains who's job it is to create enough energy to shield NORAD from nuclear strikes. It's a little known fact that their parties single-handedly brought an end to the Cold War and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity. Little Hercules I salute you.
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Little Hercules
Little Hercules

By Eric Melvin
Riff Music Magazine
Sept 2003 Vol. 3 Issue 12

“Little Hercules has great potential to be original and unique…the band has a vibe that can make it happen. (Leo Nocentelli, original guitarist of the Meters and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy winner)

	Little Hercules is the new huge beacon of funk in Colorado and the disc explains my point.  Being from Minturn (a tiny blemish of a town in the mountains west of Vail) shouldn’t let the geographical remoteness of this band coax you into believing they’re just another jam band.  They’re a monster funk and groove-laden outfit with huge talent and soul.  Already a veteran of the NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) scene through gigs at clubs following the jazz fest shows, including House of Blues, Parish NOLA and also such venues as the Blue Note in Chicago, Little Herc (commonly know as) have made friends in high places that rock with them on this album.
	The guitar work is spine wrenching and erased the lines I used to hold on how rock and funk guitar should resonate.  Founding member of the Meters, Leo Nocentelli plays rhythm and lead guitars on “Malt Liquor Revelation”, and “Sweet and Low”.  Liquid Soul, fans and supporters of Little Hercules work, offer five individual player contributions to the disc.  Adding to the funkified guitar barrage is June Yamagishi playing the second rhythm guitar piece on “Hoochie Boots” and the rhythm and guitar solo on “Whatchusay”.  Ron Haynes adds an eminent trumpet attack on “Hoochie Boots”, “Malt Liquor Revelation”, “Freaky Teaser” and “Mushroom Belt”.  Johnny “Showtime” Janowiak pumps out the power trombone pieces on “Hoochie Boots”, “Malt Liquor Revelation”, “Freaky Teaser” and solos on “Mo Bene”.  Mars Williams rips out the saxophone solo on “BTM Interlude” and on “Better than Molly”.  DJ Ajax masters the scratches and sampling on “Hoochie Boots” and “Fallen”.  Scott “Gusty” Christiansen adds the didgeridoo on “Grace and Precision”.
	But it is the four members of Little Herc that truly add the spice.  Jeff Armistead, on keyboards and loops keeps the flow of the sounds zippy, fun and ear cleansing.  Scott Kabel, lead vocals and guitar, bears an incredible resemblance to a super 70’s and 80’s funk soul singer, while pumping out the six string riffs too.  Cristian Basso, on bass, plays like his fingers are made of super-flex rubber and offers a solid fixture to the heart and beat of the music.  Roy Burki, on drums, keeps the pulse rampantly pulsating without losing a funky to hip combo of rock and funk rhythms.  The combo of Little Herc’s songwriting and playing mixed with the guest players is the right combination for the ultimate in funky listener fascination.
	The name Little Hercules and their music are synonymous:  They’re from a small and modest town but their drive, energy and sound is mammoth and robust.  The production and mixing keep you intently waiting for their next surprise.  This album will rob you of any musical or personal inhibitions and offer a whole new set of butt shaking horizons to choose from.  It is said if you can free you mind you’re a*# will follow.  This disc will make you want to lose all sense of structure and restriction in your life and go find the next Little Herc show to dance and sweat the night away.  This is a must have local CD.  www.littlehercules.net.
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Little Hercules by Sean Pruitt

Friday 27 August 2004  

Little Hercules (self titled) 

Oh, my oh my. This is one great album. Funk-o-delicly awesome is about the best way to describe this newest offering from probably one of Colorado’s best kept secrets. I was delightfully surprised when I popped it into my CD player. The sound is crisp, clean and very well arranged. Oh, and I can not forget to mention the superb production. This was the first time I had the chance to really sit down and listen to Little Hercules. With the great sound of funk, combined with a touch of rock and jazz, Little Hercules takes you to a musical place unlike any other. The bass lines are too cool, with killer guitar riffs, a nice touch of keyboards mixed in and super beats from the drums, makes the music combination unbeatable. Add in the smooth vocals and there you go! The band, consisting of Jeff Armistead, Cristian Basso, Roy Burki and Scott Kabel, is a wonderful combination of talented musicians that have taken their talents and put together one fine, unique album. 

The artist guest list on this album is well worth mentioning as well.... Leo Nocentelli - Guitar (The Meters) June Yamagishi - Guitar (Papa Grows Funk, Wild Magnolias) Mars Williams - Saxophone (Liquid Soul, XMARSX, Psychedelic Furs, Billy Idol, NRG) Ron Haynes - Trumpet (Liquid Soul, Fareed Haque) Johnny "Showtime" Janowiak - Trombone (Liquid Soul) DJ Ajax - Turntables (Mobile Homies, Liquid Soul) 

The addition of these great talents to this album gives it that extra edge that will delight people who love all genres of music. If you’re tired of the same old stuff put out on the mainstream and you are looking for something to feed your mind and soul musically, then Little Hercules is exactly what you need. This self titled album is the fourth offering from Little Hercules and I don’t see anything standing in their way of being a huge success. If I had to put a rating on this album, as most people think there needs to be, then I’d have give it a 9 out of 10. You can visit Little Hercules at http://www.littlehercules.net. You can also purchase Little Hercules from their site. 

I'd like to congratulate Little Hercules on a job well done and thank you for the opportunity to write a review for it. It was well worth it!!  I’ll mix in a Little Hercules tune on our jukebox as well and if you take the time to listen, visit their site and leave a little note in our forums. Sean Pruitt Tad Loud Productions
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"Little Hercules plays vicious grooves"
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