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FROM THE PRESS...
Olio @ The Kaleidoscope Festival California State University Long
Beach
Nothing could have felt better the morning after a David Bowie
concert than after-glowing in the sunshine at an open-air event.
This year's showcase featured L.A. funk-rock favorites Olio (www.oliomusic.com),
and was part of the band's "No Turning Back" tour. With Arif (talented
vocals and lead guitar), DeHaven (drums and vocals), Debbie Dee
(background vocals), Alex Evans (strong on bass) and Bennett Paysinger
(keyboards), the group brings forth fun club music to the point
that I'm motivated to see them again on May 26th at Club 49 and
grab an interview. Saturday's performance rocked the college crowd
- a prime demographic - but this band's appeal reaches far beyond.
- Marlene Montez Score!Music Magazine - April 24, 2004
"The huge sound on this disc belies that the band is, in fact,
a trio. I, for one, was surprised. There is a lot going on, not
that the music is too busy or a lot of bells and whistles. Rather,
each song is tightly packaged and the elements drawn out quite
well. Also good news is that Olio plays a mix of rock and funk,
a style that's hard to maintain. Usually, it either gets too heavy
on the rock side, such as Living Color, or heads off toward the
more jazzy side, often falling into the Holiday Inn-circuit black
hole, never to be heard from again. But singer/guitarist Arif
has a clean and fresh George Michael-type voice, and is no slouch
on the guitar. Likewise, Alex Evans on bass is as adept at walking
as he is at popping. He also gets a good clean sound. Lyrically,
you may have issues their mission statement, for example, is
along the lines of eradicating racism, color lines, and just enjoying
life. Noble indeed, but personally, I'm a cynic, and a tired one
at that. Nevertheless, the music will have you swaying at the
total funkiness of it all. Production is clean; good separation;
good stuff for the funk inclined. - Bill Ribas - NYRock.com
"A nicely packaged album gives us what we don’t hear much of these
days, a melding of soulful R&B with hard-driving rock beats. Olio’s
funked-up rock vision is so expertly rendered you almost hate
to point out that it has all been done before, 20 years ago (e.g.,
Power Station). Speaking of which, Olio often sounds like Duran
Duran at their funkiest. That said, perhaps the airwaves are again
ready for this sound. In the meantime, Olio’s expert musicianship
must make for a powerful live act." - Music Connection - Hollywood,
CA
"Olio is made up by vocalist and guitarist Arif, and drummer and
vocalist Dehaven, and given the fact that, if the picture in the
press-release is correct, Arif is white and Dehaven is black,
it makes sense that they, as stated, stand for the abolition of
racial categorization. What is not quite as true is their slogan;
“Too funk for rock too rock for funk.” This is not too funk for
anything, or neither is it too rock for anything else. But this
is a combination of funk, rock and pop that sounds like a marriage
of Seal, George Michael and Prince, as well as a few other things."-
Past and Present Webzine Issue 12 August 2003
"Color of Music is the latest release from Olio based out of Los
Angeles, California. Olio is Arif on guitars and vocals and DeHaven
on drums and vocals. They are supported by other talented players
on bass, keyboards and lap steel. Their music is a magical blend
of rock, funk, hip-hop and R & B. They are fans of Prince, Hendrix,
Sting and Seal. In 1997, Arif and DeHaven joined forces to create
diverse music that breaks down both racial and genre barriers.
They write thought provoking lyrics about world issues, the celebration
of life and living in the moment. Their musical message is to
"be open". This dynamic duo crafts positive upbeat music. The
production and instrumentation throughout this ten-track collection
is exemplary. Both Arif and DeHaven are passionate soulful vocalists
and their harmonies are first rate. Dynamic grooves, soaring guitars
and textured vocals are consistent throughout this versatile collection
of songs. 'Take A Ride' starts slow, then shift gears to a sexy
beat as smooth vocals describe a "typical dance club" scene. Towards
the middle, the song kicks into overdrive with a scorching guitar
solo moving into more cool beats and slowing down for the close.
What a ride! 'Anytime' is a subtle love song in which Hendrix
meets hip-hop. It includes a funky beat, masterful guitars and
a rich harmonizing hook line. Very powerful! Color of Music is
truly a bright vivid mixture of music that should leave you smiling!
• Recommended Tracks: (6,9) (Review by Laura Turner Lynch for
Kweevak.com)
"Who says a rock band, can't play funk music? Those immortal words,
asked by Funkadelic and answered by incomparable R&B Rock band
Olio, are more than a catchy chorus to an old jam. They ask, "What's
up with the racial niche marketing?" What's white music, what's
black music? From the great Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Rodgers
New Orleans jazz/country cowboy music merger in the '30s, to the
Jimi Hendrix Experience, with black Jimi's too-crazy white side
kicks, to white hip hop fans and artists, popular American music
has been on the forefront of breaking down racial and social barriers,
just by being and extending a sonic hand to one's fellow man.
Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Motown music, Chuck Berry via
Elvis Presley, Hendrix, and Prince. If not for them, where would
the civil rights movement and social freedoms for all be?
Into this breach Olio throws itself. This is not a choice made
for controversy. Anchored by Afro-American drummer/ vocalist/
songwriter DeHaven and Arif on voice, guitar and keyboards, Olio
follows their artistic intuitions, drawing from a vast well of
musical culture in the realm of rock, soul, funk and rhythm 'n'
blues to grow their own musical love child, the album "Colour
Of Music." By taking the best aspects of old school R&B and rock
(not the frauds that pass for these forms today) and make their
own thing.
What are your primary influences, and how have you blended these
into your music?
Arif: The Police, Prince, Sade, Jimi Hendrix, 6 years of classical
piano, funk music, rock music... Duke Ellington said "There are
just two kinds of music: good and bad." There are too many artists
to mention, however, the first four I listened to a lot when I
was growing up. I'm sure that has a lot to do with the sound I
make today. Writing music is about expressing an idea, comment,
question, emotion, etc., that I feel like getting out. I'm able
to get it off my chest and put it in a song. As far as what it
sounds like, I just go with where I think the song should go musically.
I let the theme dictate the music or the music dictate the theme.
Like the best rock and soul of the past, Olio's theme vary. "Through
to You" deals with communication, direct and unfettered, telling
it like it is, even if others don't want to hear it. Love and
remembrance are the themes of "Going Back." It's positive but
gritty message of looking to your past to inform the present and
future is presented in a personal story of ruminations to inspire
and help one to hang on to the energy and optimism. The funky
beat with rock 'n' soul style singing by Arif, has feeling and
the words, on this song and the rest of the album, recall John
Lennon's advice - say what you mean and make it rhyme. The blazing
guitar is used tastefully to signify the soaring energy of being
younger than today, before you needed help in every way. Like
the best of cultural artifacts and art, this song waxes nostalgic
for the past to reinvent the present. "Gift of a Smile" is a reminder
to smell the flowers. As they sing: "Watching all the children
play/ hearing thoughts of yesterday / feeling overwhelmed with
stress/ chasing that dream with the best/ Celebrate the glory
of to day/ celebrate the joy of life/ celebrate the gift of a
smile."
There are strict racial delineations as to what one listens to
and how one dresses. This is pointed out on "Hey Champ." Its bouncy
beat and tasty guitar and beat underscore the tense message of
pain and idiocy of prejudice. "An incident at Roscoe's Chicken
and Waffles turned... into a great song. I'm a white guy at a...
black restaurant waiting for an hour, while black patrons are
getting in with no wait. The host kept saying Hey champ, are you
sure you want to wait?"
You make the mixed racial content of your band a cornerstone of
the band's image and music. Why?
Arif: For a long time we ignored it. Then it became obvious. I
started noticing that there is still a problem for some people
with races mixing. Even after the civil rights movement from back
in the day. It's funny because most of the people that are against
it have it in their family line already. They're just in denial.
Eventually we'll realize that we're all Earthlings. It will take
an invasion from space to do it, then we'll be a united front
ready to take on the universe and spread our imperialism like
Darth Vader and his storm troopers. But that's another story...
Don't think that these guys are all about the heavy and the problems.
No, in the best tradition of old soul, and rock, they have their
own party jams. "Kickin' It" has the smooth melody and easy harmonies
of classic Earth, Wind, and Fire with Prince's rockified dance
beat. "Take A Ride" is a story about another day in Erotic City.
"Girl I'm just curious, I just want both of us to get out on the
floor and slide, put your hands up in the air, shake your booty
like you just don't care." They break down to the beat and bass
before launching the Hendrixian solo, and into the chorus, proving
that the old can be new again (who today in the rock universe
does this?). On "Symptoms of You" Olio evokes the breezy psychedelic
soul of Rare Earth, not just because DeHaven is an authentic singing
drummer, whose voice sounds like that bands drummer/vocalist,
but because the soul drum beat swings and opens up on the chorus.
Do you drum and sing simultaneously during live shows?
DeHaven Yes.
Another unique trait for a unique band. In the cookie cutter world
of conformity that belies the myth that we're all individuals,
it's great to see and hear a great band of real individuals coming
together to make real music. Rock and R&B are off the respirator
thanks to Olio." - Mark Kirby (Associate Writer, MusicDish.com)
"It is rare to hear an album that takes advantage of the wide-variety
of music genres available more than the funky sounds of Olio's
Colour of Music, a new album released January 1st.
When Arif, co-owner of AD4 Records and the band Olio, joined forces
with DeHaven and Shibumi, they called themselves Vivid. However,
soon were struck with the realization that Virgin Records had
previously signed a band with the same name. In an effort to assign
a unique name that delivered their message, the band decided to
turn to the dictionary: Olio.
Of course, is there any other name more appropriate? Olio, meaning
a miscellaneous collection, conveys the band's message that one
should appreciate the varieties of beauty in life.
In "Hey Champ" the theme song to their new album, the line "I
see beauty in every kind" stands out loud and clear. Arif, inspired
by an experience at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, in a which he
was a single "white guy at a predominanty black restaurant" was
forced to wait while black patrons continued to walk straight
on in without waiting at all. He was asked, "Hey champ, are you
sure you want to wait?" He began to question how the radio and
media divide music in Black and White genres or styles or by other
forms of demographics. While he continued to wait until he finally
ordered his meal, this experience instilled Arif with a passion
to confront the struggle head on by making a difference.
In "Colour Of Music," Olio has entered upon a concrete path toward
changing the social realities in life by encompassing the beauty
of diversity and fusing it within their new album. Olio is timeless,
representing the goals of past decades. They blend funk beats
with disco beats, rock beats with soulful tones, and even include
free-styles that are reminiscent of romanticism and its occasional
compacted, yet powerful and spontaneous emotional outbursts.
Olio is endearing at times with songs such as "Gift of a Smile,"
when lyrics "Celebrate the glory of today, celebrate the joy of
life, celebrate the gift of a smile." They look towards the simple
joys in a world composed of a hazy backdrop of turbulence.
While Olio has a serious message communicated with heart and passion,
the group also exudes playfulness and grooviness with seductive
tunes inspired by late night bar concerts. In an upbeat, yet seductive
"Take a Ride," Olio hits upon the club scene, when on any given
night one encounters the "player." This person is one who will
say just about anything to avoid looking around and having no
one to go home with when the bartender proclaims "Last Call,"
conincidentally the name of the last song on the album." - Laree
Ross, Home Town News
Review of "Hey Champ"
"I love artistic eclecticism. And I can guarantee you that if
you're a fan of contemporary urban and funk music, you're going
to find something to love about Olio. A band dedicated to breaking
down racial barriers in today's music world. Not only that, but
they break down a lot of genre barriers as well. I can find elements
of classic seventies funk, modern hip hop, and some excellent
grooves that owe elements to artists as diverse as Sting and Meshell
Ndegeocello. But yet the music doesn't sound like ANY of those
individual artists. They sound like . . . well, themselves. The
production is sound throughout, and the way they fuse the individual
elements to form their own style says a lot about the talent these
two men posess. They say in the song "it doesn't matter if you're
black or white / all that matters is that the music's tight."
Well, they've definitely got the music down to a science, I think
after even a quick listen you'll agree. - Jonathan Sanders (reviewer
at godsofmusic.com)
"They pull you in with ultra funky grooves and danceable beats...then
hit you over the head with rockin' power and frank lyrics about
race, music, and cultural history. Olio serves up a smorgasbord
of style and truth." - sonicawareness.com
Review of “Love You I Do”
"First Impressions: Musician’s Musicians! Hailing from Los Angeles
California, Olio consists of Arif on vocals and guitar, DeHaven
on drums and Tony Shibumi on bass and Stick. Listing Prince, The
Police, Sade, and Meshell Ndegeocello as their influences, it
is obvious that their tastes are intelligent. Listening to Olio
not only supports this impression, but it also compliments such
great artists as the aforementioned.
“Love You I Do” is a 5:15 song reminiscent of the well written
songs of the 70’s and 80’s that I had thought to be just that…
only created in the 70’s and 80’s and never to be revisited again
other than on an old CD that we might break out every once in
a while. I am in no way “dating” this band, or this song. Rather,
I am complimenting the preservation of this level of quality in
music. Unfortunately, most music today (even the stuff I listen
to) is not intelligent. Some of it may be difficult…most of it
is not. Olio is both difficult AND intelligent. There is such
a difference between intelligent music and just…well…music in
general. I am a fan of all of their listed influences, but I hear
other artists in this song as well. If Olio is not familiar with
the following, I highly recommend that they listen to them, as
I am sure they will enjoy and appreciate their true artistry,
just as I appreciate the true artistry in Olio! Toy Matinee, Ambrosia,
and the masterful Donald Fagan.
This song is very difficult to critique. It is a wonderful, soulful
ballad with excellent part writing, excellent musicianship and
hooks to boot. The only thing that I didn’t like in “Love You
I Do” is the jingle-bells at the end. But I also understand that
EVERYBODY uses the tambourine, and I can only guess that Olio
went with the bells to be creative and different.
Olio is truly the past, the present and the future of timeless
music. This is a fantastic song, and I highly recommend it to
anyone who appreciates a true work of art!" - John E. Tate IV
(reviewer for GodsOfMusic.com)
"Olio - 3P Ok, Olio deliver only 3 songs on this recording. But
these 3 songs including more variation than some other full-length-album.
Let's do this one track by track. "Erotic": Funky Soul-Pop-Song
including a crossover bridge. Believe it or not, but this combination
of different styles is working perfect - sounds fresh and interesting.
Arif (vocals, guitar & keys) reminds me of George Michael and
Marty Pellow (Wet Wet Wet). Great for summer! Second song is "Love
You I Do" - a pure pop ballad, once again with a voice between
Mr. Michael and Wet Wet Wet. Nice soul-pop tune for romantic moments
:-) 3rd Song on thisrecord is "One Thing". This one is more into
rock.. ok.. pop/rock. "One Thing" is maybe done a bit too simple,
anyway it's an interesting one. So what should I say about this
3-track record? Just after some seconds you'll realize that they're
really good musicians, they do an interesting sound where rock,
funk, soul and pop are put together in a fantastic way & and there's
also a good production. But the best thing I guess is the voice
of Arif. Sounds like he's born for pop music! "3p" is worth 8points.
Don't forget that it's just a 3-track-cd. I'm curious if they
can keep that level on a full-length-album." - MEDAZZAROCK
"Funk, all funk, and nothing but the funk. The two year old band
romped through songs that included touches of "Shaft," Morris
Day and Prince. The ballad, "Still Can't Let You Go," featured
pleasant harmonies and sexy, slow talk by Shibumi. All the players
handled their instruments superbly and the vocal harmonies are
hot. Shibumi's Latin-flavored bodiless bass work on "Sagacity"
was a standout. Band members frequently jumped into the crowd
to keep things stirred up. Confident performances from all the
players left no doubt that these guys are pros. If funk-pop is
what you want, Olio delivers it admirably." - Music Connection
"Combining a variety of musical flavors that include funk, soul
and rock to name a few, Olio deliver 13 tasty tunes on this live
recording. Based out of Burbank, CA, Olio, the band that has been
grabbing attention from both coasts, boasts a mean groove and
exemplary musicianship on this CD, blending their various styles
to create a lush musical landscape. But as serious as they are
about their music, Olio is also a fun outfit, quite adept at working
a house as evidenced on, Keep It Strong. There's little doubt,
Ain't No Party Like An Olio Party, is just the beginning for this
innovative and talented trio." - The Musician's Trade Journal
"If you're looking for a good vibe go see Olio. The event was
more than fun. The crowd was hyped and the vibe was good. Olio
has the stage presence and look that some bands never attain.
"Ain't no party like an Olio party" chanted over, and over, and
over began the show. However the crowd just ate it up. The set
included two great songs, "Impress" and "Dead Man Walking." The
amount of funk that exuded during the show was really something
else. The three guys that make up Olio all have their own appeal.
Their dramatic style of changing clothes, walking on and off stage
during a song, kissing and interacting with the audience and choreographed
dance moves make for a very entertaining spectacle. The performance
lasted an hour-and-a-half, and ended with "Olio Party." This was
performed by the drummer extraordinaire (who was well received
by the ladies) DeHaven. Over all, the band had a good sound that
only got better as the night went on. However, by the end of the
night I had heard Olio chanted so many times it had become a four-letter
word." - No Cover Magazine (Record Release Party Review)
"Funk. Rock. Pop. R&B. Call it what you will, but Olio is awesome
music, played by incredible musicians, having one hell of a time...this
act knows the perfect combination of songwriting, musicianship
and performance. Any one song can showcase Arif singing while
flawlessly switching between alternate sounds and effects on his
guitar, DeHaven also singing while featuring blistering double-bass
licks and fierce syncopated grooves on his kit, and Tony plucking
away on his bass and/or Chapman Stick, joining in the fun on vocals
at the same time. All this while rapping, talking with the crowd
and pulling off some sharp choreographed dance moves. Great, great
stuff. Their self produced live CD, ain't no party like an Olio
party...LIVE is one CD you have to have in your collection." -
Rock City News
"...brilliant, animated, lifelike, and distinct. Any of those
words would be appropriate for this trio, which combines a wanton,
experimental funk groove - often featuring the mysterious 10-stringed
Chapman stick (not to be confused with Chapstick) - with eloquent
soulfulness." - Buzz Magazine
"An air tight trio that fuses '70s funk and clean pop. Retaining
a machine-like tempo, DeHaven shapes his beats with tricky syncopation
on his hi-hat and ride-cymbal bell on "Keep It Strong", throws
down a thick carpet while soloing on the segue between "Impress"
and "Pride," and colors the entire disc with tasteful electronic
percussion samples and beats. Overall, though, DeHaven scores
the most points for showing some restraint. When the songs need
to lay into the groove, he isn't ashamed to reign-in his chops...temporarily.
Olio can be a bit corny at times, especially on the self-conscioius
segue between "Pride" and "Got A Life," where the band mugs through
a station-break parody. Still, you have to admire their musicianship."
- DRUM!
"a funk/power trio with deep pocket, nasty groove and vivid imagination"
- Modern Drummer
"Where have these guys been hiding? With the mastery of these
advanced instruments, Olio has more of a ten-member sound than
the sound of three members! The CD will rock you and make you
want to get up and groove!" - USGIGTV
"Olio is clearly a live band that combines funk, soul, rock and
even a bit of rap into a unique blend. The musical performance
on this record is better than most studio sessions...instrumentation
is good, technical performance commendable...continues to show
the world that it can have a blast" - Campus Circle
"Olio plays a funky rock vibe of early seventies soul" - Plunge
Magazine
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