A cup of laid back blues. Another cup of jazzy. Two tablespoons of swing. A little bit o’ soul. Add a whole lotta rhythm & blues. Then turn up the heat nice and easy. Sound like a winning recipe to you? Then it’s a safe bet that the Rhythm Syndicate’s self-titled debut is for you. With 10 years of gigging experience behind them, the Rhythm Syndicate really knows how to get things cooking. They may be the most underrated R&B band in town. 

With a zippy, playful chemistry and grooves that recall the cosmopolitan cool of Chicago’s best blues clubs and shades of Motown, the band slides coolly into The Rhythm Syndicate ’s 12 tracks, opening with the instrumental "Barfly Blues." The lazy lead then gives way to the party vibes of "Too Much Information," “Sunny Day,” and “Crawdaddy Walk” and “Funk-O-Matic”– all of which have a distinctive brassy feel and party atmosphere. The cool funk and jazz roots of “Soul Steppin” and “Tip Top,” which simmers with a clarinet lead, round out the best of the tracks. 

Vocalist/guitarist Pat Sandy and the rest of the gang – Angelo Ciu (guitar), Kevin Dyckes(tenor sax/ bass guitar), Doug Hopkins tenor sax/clarinet) and John Yencha (drums) – have the fire and energy of an upstart band with something to prove. The instrumentation is all perfectly mixed; even the strategically placed ballad “You Never Know” seems to offer emotional countermeasure at just the right time. And yet they’re cozy and comfortable, like a house band, with Sandy’s laid back singing setting the tone. They can be my "jump blues" house band anytime. 

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
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Blues Revue Magazine

Issue103 Dec/Jan 2007



With the Rhythm Syndicate’s self titled release (Rough Road 4159), the world can enjoy the blues, R&B, and jazz stylings that have been knocking out residents of Cleveland, Ohio, for the past decade. The Syndicate’s all-original numbers grow organically from the groove but, with the exception of a few ambling openings, avoid sounding like mere jams. Pat Sandy’s laid-back vocals are effective, Angelo Ciu’s guitar work is focused, and Kevin Dyckes doubles admirably on bass and, in conjunction with Doug Hopkins, tenor sax. “Soul Steppin” recalls 1960’s funk roots a la Dyke& the Blazers; “Barfly Blues” hits a cool jazz note; “Lately (I’ve Been Thinking) is Latin-tinged R&B. “Crawddady Walk” struts on sax power, while “Tip Top” shuffles over Hopkin’s clarinet lead.
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These grooves are molasses thick and dipped in a heady blues swing. The Rhythm Syndicate blends jazz, blues, and rock, delivering it all with the brisk, enthusiastic energy of a bar band. The horn-fueled quintet tends toward jazz, but lead guitarist Angelo Ciu's succulent riffs refuse to be overshadowed by the strong swing elements. Highlights include the cocktail bop of "Tip Top," "Lately (I've Been Thinking)," which mines a soulful doo-wop vibe, and the supple, low-riding funk rave "Soul Steppin.'" -- Chris Parker
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"...the songs are exceedingly smooth and palatable...this Motown-esque 12 track album features plenty of "Soul Steppin'" fun."
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