Album Notes

This fourteen song CD was voted in the top 10 local releases in New Mexico for 2003 by the Albuquerque "Weekly Alibi", the region's foremost alternative paper.

This is a band that can improvise its way into the ozone and whether dark or light, they let it all go free! Mucho Buddha, of Albuquerque, New Mexico uniquely and distinctly combines alternative rock, world-beat, funk and folk into a positive, listenable and danceable groove. The group's work is all-original music, which gains new fans with each and every performance.
Buddha consists of four charming, yet extreme musicians...which is to say they are extremely passionate about the music they create. Since their beginning, the group has had a connection like no other. The lyrics are tight throughout and the rhythms are simply poetic. The sounds they generate are unique and a fine, fine medicine for the soul.
As far as instrumental communication, no clarification is needed. With each member's significant musical backgrounds, they have much to talk about. Lead man, Chuck Hawley, weaves all of his guitar, guitarsynth and trombone playing together into a cohesive tapestry of sound. Hawley's voice is strong, yet smooth and his lyrics create a natural connection within the rest of the group and the audience. Ben Jones, on violin, has a gypsy jazz spirit and a Hendrix-like wild side. This tempered with gentle emotionalism, he also sings, plays harmonica and grooves on the keys, giving away his natural charm as a showman!
Madman, Dave Pankuch, pumps out electrifying rhythms on his five-string fretless bass. He fluidly combines jazzy sentience with booty shaking funk attitude. Anchoring the group is Dave Chrestensen on kit and percussion. This Dave works it in every song, while exploring a wide range of rhythms and tones through world, rock, funk, Latin, swing and even orchestral style grooves.
Beside the point of just being great musicians, one of their greatest attributes is that they are all exceptionally intuitive. Although the music is structured and arranged respectively, the imagination and ingenuity literally sings through. Their ability of individual improvisation is immense, yet as a group it is immaculate. Intently listening to one another, the end result is an even flow. Audiences easily perceive the internal connection within the band.
Currently, Buddha is promoting their first studio album, Dragonfly, which was released in September of 2003.
For up-to-date listings of shows, checkout the band's website at www.muchobuddha.com.