DALLAS - O' Riley's, on a cool Friday night, kind of diggin’ the sound of the EffiNays as I wait patiently for Melody Memory to bless the crowd with music, lyrics, poetry flowingly into rap and rhythms. I am not kept waiting for long or in vain. My ears are anxious to hear, my pen poised to scribble my thoughts and I am blinded by the brilliance of A.P. Alejandro Perez with his welcoming smile and chi giving presence of the entire band. The incense provides a positive fragrance to the serious vibe the band is just beginning to fill around the room…it would seem to capacity.
The wah-wah pedal gives the crowd a comfortable old school feel which they slip nicely into as the opening rapture of vocals and rap mix characterize the bands flavor, which they regard as “meta-lyrical fusion of Reggae, Hip-Hop and Funky Soul”. Lead vocalist Alejandro is hypnotic, he grabs you; his tenor rap trills reach out and individualize each enraptured listener. Improvisational, sensationally led the band communicates, invigorates and stimulates the people. Their ears, their hearts and most of all their minds. Blown.
What makes this band so good? Is it because they don’t have to be pleasingly commercial? That they are actually feeling and enjoying the output of astounding sound? What must their rehearsals sound like? As I ponder these thoughts “B.U.I.L.D.I.N.G.” brings me back the Her Earth, as it sweeps through the gathering of admirers like a cosmic broom, dusting us away on irie air. “C.R.E.A.M.” (Creativity Rules Everything Around Me) is a blessing of a song that praises what we have been gifted with. It encompasses is and becomes all we are. Messaging that we are surrounded by creativity every day. Glancing around the modest space and seeing the audience mouth the words, shows love and support among the community of artist and appreciators and reveals the very soul of the music and melody that is being shared. The song “Beautiful” ethereal as ever, flows like hot thick chocolate love. This is number is demurely sexy in its repetitive nature; it feels almost too intimate to be listening to in a crowd of people.
Melody Memory is Alejandro Perez, Jr., lead vocals, mistress of melody on the flute and vocals, Aisha Marshall, Bobby Ramirez, bustin’ big sounds on bass, “Captain” Ron Davison percussion, Valenti Thomas, caringly caressing the keys on keyboard, Reggie Webster leading the way on guitar and Menkiti “Grüv" Rice ‘dem drums and vocals.
