Rumin (short for Rumination) has been long in the making with the band inception can be traced back to 2010 as an initial collaboration between Russ Stedman and Andy Ellis to south coat musicians. Stedman wanted to create a more funk based music after years in the metal genre. Horizontal/Vertical is the culmination of years of hard work and late nights jamming and writing.
A serious dose of self love this EP was self-produced and recording all done on a zero budget. Drums were captured by Andy Ellis in a rehearsal room in Pirate Studios, Hove whilst bass, guitar and the vocal tracks were all recorded in Andy’s home studio in St Leonards, East Sussex.
Changes has that grunge style chorus that flips the track on its head. Short snappy with that explosive chorus the track sets the scene for the rest of the tracks to follow. The band bring a harder rock version of the funk such as the likes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and 90’s rock scene in particular. Some impressive guitar work throughout this EP won’t let you go till the end.
‘Purify Me’ is glorious 90s funk wrapped in a chilled package that’s only pulled off so well because of how tight this band are. It’s precision funk that shines with a hint or rocky upbeat. Ricky Gallimore drops some great phrasing throughout the tracks shine bright with the homogeneity of instruments and voice.
The guitars are some of the finest I have heard from a band in some time. Not in your face showy but song enhancing. Sure there are moments where the 6 strings are let loose but really they sit nicely in the mix, weaving in between the vocals and bass with some cool rock lead work. Final track ‘Get Real’ is a fine example of this.
The band are as tight as can be giving an engaging dynamic EP where the only complaint is the length. Frankly three tracks is not enough and by the end of the final track you feel yourself wanting to hear more.
Horizontal/Vertical is a brave move by the band as the EP represents the first three songs written by this band. Not something that is traditionally done especially for a band whose tracks have not been honed in a live setting. Instead what we have here is the outcome of talented musical brains crafting music that they want to make. Luckily for Rumin the tracks are also of a quality that will be appreciated by many an ear outside of the bands members. Full album next please lads.
Check out the EP’s opening track Change, below:
