RUFFYUNZ is a partnership between bassist Randy Pratt (Cactus/The Lizards), Emmy winning engineer/guitarist JZ Barrell, and singer Ed Terry and a collection of drum, guitar and keyboard masters. Guest artists featured on the band’s new album “RUFFYUNZ III” legendary Carmine Appice who dominates the drums (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, BBA, Rod Stewart), Pat Travers, Pat Thrall (Pat Travers, Glenn Hughes, Meatloaf), Bumblefoot (Guns N’ Roses, Sons of Apollo), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Jim McCarty (Cactus), Vinnie Moore (UFO), Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Sons of Apollo), Tracy G (Dio), Billy “Spaceman” Patterson (Miles Davis) and others!
Each RUFFYUNZ record has its own vibe, so it’s hard to say “The Best”, but these seasoned, “seen it all” KOOL KATZ really step up and put their BACKS into these tracks. Having the bassist, especially with his unique, other worldly effects pedal sounds be the co-producer of this heavy riff rock definitely gives the music a “Thick, richness” that you sense subliminally.
“Funky, Heavy & Tight” is RUFFYUNZ credo!
Bassist Randy Pratt on bass, pedals and riffs and is best known for his work with The Lizards & Cactus. Singer Ed Terry has sung live with Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, John Oates, Sissy Houston, Slash and recorded with John Lennon, Keith Richards, Talking Heads, Simply Red, Little Steven, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, David Lee Roth, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner! JZ Barrell handles recording, engineering, mixing and arranging…he earns his writing credits.
Says Randy, “Still written bass/drums first, with a whole new cast of STAR POWER. Still at the sweet spot where Black Sabbath and James Brown meet. The sound is Classic but somehow unique, in our own universe.”
Carmine Appice, literally the man who created modern rock drumming in 1966, ‘The GodFather’, Glenn Hughes called him ‘The last man playing’. Still at the top of his game, drives these tracks into groove heaven.
To purchase “RUFFYUNZ III”: http://www.grooveyardrecords.com
You can listen to all 3 RUFFYUNZ albums FREE at: http://www.hyperspacerecords.com
Here’s what the press has said about the first two RUFFYUNZ albums:
“This nine-track album has a great mixture of rock and funk, with powerful vocals and heavy guitar riffs…This amazing album was well performed, recorded, produced and written and I highly recommend this album for your rock library.” – Oasis Entertainment
“Second album for Ruffyunz, partnership between Randy Pratt (Cactus/ The Lizards), JZ Barrell (Emmy Award Winning producer) & singer Ed Terry is a collection of LARGE musicians. Among the guests on this exciting Record, the legendary Bobby Rondinelli on drums (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, BOC), Don Airey at keyboards (Deep Purple),and a bevy of guitarists from the likes of Dave Maniketti (Y&T), Pat Thrall (Pat Travers, Glenn Hughes, Meatloaf, Asia), Tracy G. (DIO) and Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake). The result is excellent: 9 songs with a great blend of rock-blues and funk, with vocals powerful and fiery guitar riffs.” – CLASSIC ROCK, ITALIA
“Violent riffs and elastic tunes: veteran artists find new twists and turns on their new venture and invite Pat Travers to traverse a different expanse.” – DMME.net
“The overall feel of the 9 songs on this debut is funky hard rock, the groove laden tunes proving to be a launching pad for Terry’s powerful vocals and plenty of white hot soloing from Berlin & Travers especially. Pretty heavy stuff here on this debut release from Ruffyunz, a crunchy blues/funk/hard rock project that is off to a great start thanks to some inspired performances and memorable material.” – Sea of Tranquility
“With the 3rd song, “PRESSURE”, the whole armada launched an attack Wirth VOLCANIC FIREPOWER. The assault is given by a horde of brass, playing in unison, fiery and hyper hard guitar riffs, a voice pushed to the EXTREME, but held by the FIRE OF GOD and intermediaries always funky. This title is undoubtedly to be placed in the BEST SONGS IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK! WHAT A SLAP!” 10 / 10. MAREK DEVEAUX – profilprog.com
“To simplify the analysis, we will summarize Ruffyunz’s musical style to the first two words of the title of the seventh song on his plate: ‘Funky’ and ‘Heavy’ and we will add, for good measure, the term ‘Classic Rock’! Black Sabbath or not, whatever, Ruffyunz is a real pleasure to listen to and therefore highly recommendable in these difficult times!” – Music In Belgium
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 