The Slowly Rubbings: Jazz served on a Crispy Tortilla

November 4, 1997

Since the very first time I heard The Slowly Rubbings on 89.9 WUCF, I was on a mission to see and learn more about them. So I went down to the Go Lounge last Saturday night to catch them on stage. From the very first notes I heard, I felt like I was getting a Swedish massage, ending with an orgasmic overload, introspection, and dancing in a ska-cubanesque ooze.

The band shares a chemistry both on stage and off, enjoying each other's insanity. Under the lights, they create a blissful harmony that didn't blow my ears to the front room. A conversation could still take place - extremely refreshing!

The erotic "14 Inch Chimichanga" (also featured on the Orlando Music Awards CD) got us salivating. Soon the band had the crowd shakin' booty and kickin' their heels to "Deeseed It". "Peas & Carrots" fed us with a slow groove for the couples and a few single ladies who danced for the entire show. John Carpenter from the Blue Bird Sextet was featured on "Bean Counting Giant" and two other tunes I was too busy inhaling to catch the names of. "Gaggle of Tittmice" drove us home with "Little Competition" straying to last call.

This foursome met at Full Sail School. Initially, Matt Kusak (drums) and Chris Depenbrock (upright bass) jammed a few sessions. The two were then joined by Don Steele (sax) and John Gnuechtek (the "G" is silent, unlike his trombone). Although they've been approached and prodded to add guitars and keyboards, the band all feels that these instruments would add restraints that would weigh down their unique, airy, acoustic sound. The Rubbings have musical depth (with members each playing additional instruments) which provides them with the scope to experiment and cover a wide range of influences, ranging from Idris Mohammed and Coleman Hawkins to Sly Stone, Slide Hampton, and Tortuesse.

When I asked the band members what lies ahead for Slowly Rubbings, they answered, "We're taking things one gig at a time." These guys have a cool jazz, sometimes Latin, ska flavor - way cool! I had a great time, and I wish them the best.

Matt Gibbons
33 going on 21, I've been writing poetry for 6 years, Percussionist - 15 years, Recovery from Sci C-6, Enjoy bicycling, mopeding, reading, Into jazz and anything with a Gruve, The Subleties that life has to offer, Slow dancing in the rain, The wonderment of white-out, Single!