Eclipse News

Jam band performs with vibrancy and an edge that eclipses the competition

CityBeat: 10/25/07

The new Jam band Eclipse didn't exactly steal a bunch of other bands' best players. It just looks like it.

With a lineup of some of Cincinnati's most creative talent, the group boasts founder and band leader Brian Batchelor-Glader (who goes by BBG) on keys; Max Gise on electric and acoustic guitars; Aaron Jacobs on bass; Phillip Tipton on drums; Jibri and Daddie Rich on vocals; and a rotating horn section that could wake James Brown from his grave.

The ensemble is an interesting mix of styles and aesthetics, combining new school (everyone has at least a B.A. in music) with old school (the live horn section) and international influences with progressive Jazz harmonies and a Hip Hop core. There is a depth, both musically and emotionally that pervades and transforms what otherwise might be interpreted as simply dance grooves into something greater. Their original compositions are performed with the precision of a ballet dancer but the attitude of a street fighter.

An example of this contrast comes out in the lyrics to a song on their newly released, self-title CD, entitled "Tomorrow": "I wake up in the morning and I don't know why my arms can't stretch up to touch the sky/ I'm either living the dream or a realized lie when the quality of life that I'm livin' ain't mine."

The melancholic, wistful vocals give way to a mesmeric chorus you can't help but move to. Gritty and hard yet somehow vulnerable, these compositions highlight that razor's edge musicians walk between being technically adept and soulful.

This isn't to say the Jam band is too complex to jam -- "Mambo Hop," a trance-inducing tune with a salsa flavor, is dance music at its best. "Taste of India" incorporates Eastern scales to a funky backbeat. Energy drips off the stage when they play live. And the audience drinks it up.

A good part of the appeal is in the spontaneity of the live performances. Gise, the guitarist and co-band leader, says this is part of the draw of a Jam band.

"The element that would define a Jam band to me is live performance and the ability to change their arrangement of the tune on the spot ... and see where it goes," he says. "It's a different approach."

The live improvisation keeps the audience on its toes and the variety of the compositions keeps the set from ever becoming monotonous. This is one band that will never be accused of having "all their songs sound the same."

BBG says he enjoys the diversity.

"We don't really have any rules so we can go from a Jazz Fusion song into a modern Hip Hop (song) and into a Rock song," he says.

Gise adds, "We want to make original music that we enjoy playing. Vocally we usually let Jibri and Rich do what they want, but I think we're all on the same page that we want the vocals to be empowering and uplifting and inspiring ... I would almost say, and I've never heard anyone else use this term, but (it's) 'love movement' Hip Hop, uplifting Hip Hop. (We try to) blend the two styles well ... to open people's minds, make them feel something."

Gise says the band, which has only been together a year, has been well-received. "I think the response has been overwhelmingly good from all audiences," he says. "I've had people come up and say they never really liked Hip Hop but they liked our band."

The group, which has just started focusing on getting gigs outside of Cincinnati, aims big.

"I have pretty high goals," BBG says. "I would like to see some kind of national recognition and would like to start touring more regionally and work up to national and international travel. That's kind of the big goal."

CCM-grad group to celebrate CD at Mad Frog

The News Record: 10/25/07

Brian Batchelor-Glader moved from Akron to Cincinnati to attend the College-Conservatory of Music's jazz performance program. For his senior recital, Batchelor-Glader thought, "Nobody ever had a rapper on their jazz recital before." This was the distant beginning of the local band, Eclipse.

The band has already released their first album, titled Eclipse. On Oct. 27, a release party is scheduled at the Mad Frog starting at 10 p.m. with a cover of $6. The band will play and have their album for sale. There will also be a DJ. Since the release party is near Halloween, Eclipse encourages attendants to wear costumes.

The rapper Batchelor-Glader contacted for the recital was Cincinnati native Jibri McPherson. They had met at a "jam session" - spoken word poetry and open mic - at Art's Tavern on Vine Street, which is no longer open. The idea was based on other rap and jazz combinations such as Guru and Branford Marsalis that never became mainstream.

The "band" began to grow, picking up core members Rich Rone, Max Gise, Aaron Jacob and Phil Tipton as well as others. The band rewrote songs, arranged songs and collaborated on new ones. They started playing small venues at local bars, like Stanley's Pub, and festivals.

Eclipse's style is a fusion of music. Tracks mostly incorporate jazz and rap with elements such as rock and international styles. The members have similar musical backgrounds and an appreciation for different genres of music, Rone said.

"We are all big fans of each other," Rone said. Loving to perform and an appreciation of each other create a "cinergy" that results in a better performance, he said.

Performing, recording and writing music is like a job and it requires a good work ethic. However, it also takes a lot of one's self, a lot of heart, McPherson said. He breaks from his job by appreciating the people around him, relaxing and trying to be unstressed.

The album took over a year to produce, according to Batchelor-Glader. Most of the time was spent mixing and mastering the tracks. A small budget prevented the album from releasing sooner. However, the band was pleased with the result, and he looks forward to recording a new one, Batchelor-Glader said.

"We're not just a studio band," McPherson said.

No concert is ever the same and each performance is different and intends to make the audience feel good, Batchelor-Glader said.

"We always see smiles," McPherson said.

The musicians' life has been a growing experience for the members of Eclipse. "The band expands you," McPherson said. "It makes you reach further and deeper in yourself."

Each brings his talent to the band and has his moment to shine. Meanwhile, the other members will "jam like we are fans," because they are.

New Eclipse Videos Now On-the-MIC

Check out the new Eclipse videos now posted on Mind Ignition Channel’s on-the-MIC. Check out your boys as they thro’ down an amazing Mambo Hop or for something a little deeper, Tomorrow.

Win Free Tickets to FMG FreakFest on 10/27!

The freaks are coming out at night Saturday October 27th at The Mad Frog as Bearcast and FMG Entertainment present FreakFest: The Official Album Release Party for Eclipse & Jahson.

Get to DuBois Book Store on Calhoun, Everybody’s Records in P-Ridge or Shake-It Records in Northside to purchase the exclusive pre-release CD for a chance to win a bunch of good shit.

When you purchase your CD by 10/27 at any one of these exclusive retailers, just do the following for your chance to win FREE tickets to FMG Freakfest and other good shit:

• 1. Visit www.fmgentertainment.com/freakfest.
• 2. Enter the unique promo code on the back of the CD with your info
• 3. Get to FreakFest early to collect the goods.

So, grab your freshest costume, groove to some of the Nati’s most innovative artists and stake your claim why FMG should pick your costume at The Mad Frog on Saturday 10/27 for crack at a special treat or get your CD by 10/27 for a chance at the Grand Prize!

***The Grand Prize will include some exclusive gear from the artists, free music and of course, free drinks!

Eclipse: High-Energy Band Finds its Groove

Style-mashing CCM Grads Draw on Wide Array of Musical Influences

CINCINNATI, Ohio – September 9, 2007 – With no less than eight band members at a given performance, high-energy musical innovators, Eclipse boasts five musicians who have graduated from the nationally renowned College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

With areas of study ranging from classical to jazz, the structured base of musical knowledge provides Eclipse with a clean, tight sound that typically takes bands years to attain; though the current lineup has only played together for about one year. The band continuously pushes traditional boundaries as it seamlessly incorporates elements of rock, funk, latin, jazz & hip-hop into their complex sound.  

“We owe a lot to CCM.  Without the great musicians we have studied with, we would not be able to mesh the intricacies of our many musical influences.” Said Brian Batchelor-Glader, founder of Eclipse.  “Our experiences at CCM have enabled us to constantly explore unchartered musical avenues, progress as musicians, and offer fans a uniquely energetic experience featuring a broad range of genres of music.”

Eclipse is approaching the release of their first studio album set to drop in early October.  For more information on the band, new album, and upcoming Eclipse events visit eclipsemovement.com

Eclipse is a band that breaks boundaries. The talented group of musicians creates a sound that explores elements of rock, funk, latin, hip-hop and jazz. The band performs a mixture of originals and covers from a wide range of artists like Led Zeppelin, Herbie Hancock, the Yellowjackets, Allman Brothers, Bela Fleck and more. Eclipse performs at numerous venues & festivals including The Blue Wisp Jazz Club, Stanley’s Pub, The Northside Tavern, The Cleveland Bop Stop, and more.

Self Titled Eclipse Debut: Album Review

CINCINNATI, Ohio – September 13, 2007 – Dictionary.com defines the eclipse as: surpass; to make less outstanding or important by comparison.

This is exactly what style-mashers Eclipse did to the competition when dropping their self-titled debut album. Their high-energy innovative jams seamlessly pepper tastes of rock, funk, latin, jazz & hip-hop into one mouthwatering offering on this CD.

The breadth of musical ability, tight transitions, and technical excellence is far beyond your typical first album. Funky bass lines at the core set the tone for the sensory overload to come as more intricate musical offerings are layered overtop. From the Santana-esque guitar licks and barrage of Latin horns on the opener, “Mambo Hop” to the spoken word intro reminiscent of Michael Franti on the mystical hip-hop cut, “My Couch” Eclipse nails it in the myriad of genres they step into.

The band confirms what many regional music lovers already knew before they dropped this album: Eclipse is one of the most creative and unique sounds out there and with this release they have raised the bar for regional artists.

Musical Innovators Eclipse Drop First Studio Album

Versatile jam-band offers something for everyone on much anticipated album

CINCINNATI, Ohio – September 29, 2007 – This is the movement. High-energy musical innovators Eclipse are set to drop their much anticipated, first studio album. The release of this album further solidifies what regional music lovers already knew- Eclipse is one of the most creative and unique sounds out right now. 

With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Ozomatli and Herbie Hancock, Eclipse continuously pushes traditional boundaries as it seamlessly incorporates elements of rock, funk, latin, jazz & hip-hop into their complex sound weekly at local venues.

The self-titled debut album evidently displays the trained sounds of the local CCM graduates as they cleanly transition through funky bass lines, latin-horn solos, and the positively present vocals of their dual MCs.

For more information on the new Eclipse album or to purchase online, visit the Eclipse Website.  The album is also available at Everybody’s Records located in Pleasant Ridge and Shake-it Records in Northside.  For a limited time, fans that purchase an Eclipse CD at either Everybody’s or Shake-it can enter to win FREE tickets to the Eclipse CD Release Party in October.  Visit www.eclipsemovement.com for details.