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Riddles
Kofi Baker began his professional career some 25 years ago,
when his father, Ginger Baker of Cream, took him to his first TV
appearance at the age of five. Since then he has performed with many notable musicians during the 80's
and 90's, and up to the present, including Randy California (Spirit), Steve Marriott
(Humble Pie), Steve Waller (Manfred Mann), John Etheridge (Soft
Machine), Dick Hextalsmith (Coliseum), as well as Jack Bruce and
Ginger Baker. In 1992, he was signed to Scotti Brothers Records
and recorded the album Lost City. He subsequently recorded and
toured with Jonas Hellborg and Shawn Lane until he helped form Riddlehouse, recording and releasing two albums.
Released by THE Records,
Rhubarb Dreams is
the second album from the band Riddlehouse. Rhubarb Dreams not
only features outstanding performances and songwriting all
around, but also has historical importance, in that it features
the first commercially recorded drum duet between the legendary
Ginger Baker (Cream) and son Kofi Baker. Kofi Baker not only
continues to follow the creative course his father instilled in
him, but strives to set a new course in drumming, pushing the
physical and emotional limits of his instrument. Playing
original compositions to sold-out audiences throughout Europe
and America, Kofi redefines drumming into a melodic percussive
instrument.
"Riddlehouse's
Rhubarb Dreams should be stocked in the
apple-doesn't-fall-far-from-the-tree department. The band,
anchored by drummer Kofi Baker, gives off a decidedly
late-Sixties / early-Seventies proto-metal vibe that recalls the
glory days of Kofi's papa, Cream timekeeper Ginger Baker. The
warbling of lead singer Jeffrey Leonetti sometimes suggests Bono
or Michael Hutchence, but he seems most comfortable when
offering up Robert Plant screeches. Likewise, the heavy riffing
that pops up on "Freezin", "Drinking Free", "Zarg" and elsewhere
seems to have been transported to the present from an earlier
time. (The same can be said of "William the Konker", a
four-minute percussion duel between Kofi and Ginger that may
prompt old timers to start flicking their Bics.) Although this
is supposed to be the first act of a three-part rock opera, I
couldn't make heads of tails of the plot--another link to the
past. Anybody got some extra blotter acid?" -- Michael Roberts,
Westword
Kofi
Baker - Drums Jeremy Barber
- Electric Violin, Guitar, Bass
Jeffrey
Leonetti - Vocals, Harmonica
Chris Barber -
Guitar
Conrad Itchner
- Bass
Chris O'Brien
- Keyboards
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