The Process
Is Back
Who Is That Mad Band?
Dave Asher, lead vocals, guitars, bas, drums, percussion
Garrick Owen, guitars, Sitar
Bill Heffelfinger, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums
Gabe Gonzalez, drums, backing vocals
Seth Payton, bass, keys, guitars, percussion, tenor saxophone
The Process never ceases to amaze me. Just when they are
down for the count, they get up and do a little musical ropa-dopa that seems to
veer offcourse with yet another one of Asher’s proselytizing moments about Jah
and his devotion to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Once Asher embraces that moment
in time he’s able to imagine a new form of music that is both beautiful and
disturbing. Asher mixes hard rock with sweet reggae music and result is simply
astounding. In Asher’s mindscape he imagines a new formula for his musical
adventures and his faith. I compare Asher’s search to Beatle George Harrison’s
mega opus Awaiting on You All wherein he regales false prophets, “And the pope
owns 51% of General Motors; and the Stock Exchange is the only thing he’s
qualified to quote us.” OUCH…but yeah, it’s true enough. Asher also has the
courage to sing the truth no matter if anyone agrees or even listens. That’s
why I love David Asher and the Process. They have a distinct vision that
reveals an uncommon truth about human struggle and the needed embrace of agape.
Listen to the music in your mind, read along.
The Process opens with a powerful track entitled Mystery
Babylon. This is a musical landscape of biblical proportions. Asher embraces
faith and praises his name. He sings of the Lion of Judah, blood of the
children, vampires, fires and Rasta ascendance. Speaking of the Israel Nation.
In 1892 Ethiopia a child was born. He eventually took the name Haile Selassie
(Might of the Trinity).
Dick Wagner performed on Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. It was
one of his last musical projects and it rocks hard. It even sounds like an
Alice Copper outtake from Billion Dollar Babies. Asher adds a cool lyrical
theme about genetic mutations and Monsanto’s mind control experiments using
kids right out of college…they won’t protest, the money is too good. The truth
is it’s just a bribe. We sell our soul almost daily and those college kids will
find out sooner or later.
Tribute (to the heroes) is Asher’s tribute to his boyhood
icons…
He sings “This goes out to the kings of reggae music. Past,
Present and future; Bob Marley will always be around. He will always be like a
twinkling star in the sky. Peter Tosh music will never die.” Asher also paid
tribute to the rockers because you cannot keep a good song down; music will
always be around! The Process are in top form, on there game, using guitar,
bass, drum, keyboard, lots of percussion and tenor saxophone. It makes for
incredible and dynamic sounds.
Asher’s version of Traffic’s Dear Mr. Fantasy is pure
reading of a great song. Asher clearly tips his hat to Stevie Winwood’s craft
and in doing so he mirrors the genius of the original. It was a labor of love.
The music was perfectly endowed and the lead guitar work was exceptional!
The Psalm of David rocks like Van Halen with wild rocking
guitar flourishes, pounding drums, swirling synth and Seth Payton’s tenor sax. The
music dances across the floor, the groove is perfect! This is for the voice
that is unheard. This is beautiful music without need of words.
Gypsy Wind has a big full bodied wall of sound and it’s
danceable. This is tasty brew of, guitar, drum and tenor saxophone and a
descending guitar line. Asher’s lyrics
speak of the gypsy in us all, the wanderlust…
“You’ve got the gypsy in your heart; you’ve got the gypsy in
your soul; From the North Pole to the South Pole, From Hong Kong to New York
City”. A female vocalist sings soulfully, wordlessly. This is one of the best
songs on the disc.
The final track is Fire is Burning. It is a showcase of
Asher’s best instincts. This is hip hop reggae, funky with wordless background
singing that leaves a powerful message!
Asher: Fire is Burning. We kill the vampire. Hold them Rasta
Hold them, Catch them Rasta catch them. Catch them when they run! Psychedelic
Reggae with equal rights, justice and truth! Bless Asher and the Process for
having a brave voice and a clear vision in an uncertain future
Asher will have a Listening Party @ White’s Bar on July 8th, 2016
The Process will perform the entire disc later in the week @ Bemos
PEACE
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