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Bad Dog U - Bad Dog U [2004](Fusion)

...because there's over 62 minutes of GREAT symphonic rock/jazz fusion music here that you really don't want to miss, folks. 

Bad Dog U is a Chicago-area all-instrumental group that's been around for a couple of decades. The group leader is guitarist Ernie Denov. He's been accompanied by Rick Snyder on keyboards for most of that stretch. Dave Farley on bass guitar and Rick Vitek (mostly) on drums round out the current group. They are ALL high-caliber musicians. 

With nine compositions in the 5- to 9-minute range, this debut album includes a unique mix of some brand new recordings along with some "archival" cuts from some of the group's unsuccessful demos from around the early 1990's (thus the different drummers in places). All of the songs are excellent, and offer a distinctive palette from one song to the next. 

For comparison purposes (which I know groups hate!), they sound most to me like a cross between Return to Forever (but not as funky), Kenso (but not as frenetic) and instrumental Genesis (but not as proggy). Close similitudes with both Tribal Tech and Chick Corea's Elektric Band perhaps? The music has very strong melodic elements, but also leans far into jazz territory with plenty of great chops on display (without becoming a wank-fest - no solos just for soloing's sake!). Very fresh and interesting, while rooted in the 70's-style of fusion. 

This is a very good album from a group of relative unknowns. Look for similarly excellent cd's from Wisconsin-based Parallel Mind and Ohio-based Syzygy - all great musicians making great symphonic rock/jazz music in relative obscurity! 

This debut/archival cd from Bad Dog U is highly recommended to fans of any of the band's mentioned above. Bargain prices can be found on their website as well as some of the progressive rock stores out there on the web. 

The  musical influences are the usual suspects in the world of progressive rock and fusion: Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, Tribal Tech, Jeff Beck, The Dregs, Bruford, Allan Holdsworth.

Lineup;
Ernie Denov: Guitars
Dave Farley: Bass Guitar
Rick Snyder: Keyboards
Rick Vitek: Drums

So let's give this dog a bone.....and buy the cd!