For those unaware, RUFFYUNZ is a partnership between Randy Pratt (Cactus/The Lizards), Emmy winning engineer JZ Barrell, and singer Ed Terry and a collection of drum, guitar and keyboard masters.

Also featured on the band’s new album RUFFYUNZ III is Carmine Appice along with special guests Pat Travers, Pat Thrall, Bumblefoot, Tony Franklin, Dave Meniketti, Jim McCarty, Vinnie Moore, Derek Sherinian, Tracy G, Billy “Spaceman” Patterson, and more.

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. The band’s concept is to use “known” drummers, guitarists and keyboardists as guests on their records. Once the guest guitarist has done his or her thing, Jesse trades solos with them. And, trust me, he really throws down the gauntlet, as he shreds!

1. Street Corner High
2. Looking For The Edge
3. Malevolent Fool
4. Red Lines
5. I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
6. Electric Mind Control
7. Cadillac Walk
8. Far Too Long
9. Warm Oasis
10. Hanging

Opening on a great example of how expert musicians, masters of their craft can come together to bring a sound as smoothly grooved as AOR can be, the pumping Street Corner High is backed by the veritably shimmering rock of Looking For The Edge, the atmospherically-charged Malevolent Fool, the hard er edged Red Lines and then comes their harmonically-driven, blues-hued rendition of I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (first recorded in 1972 by soul singer Ann Peebles, but a big hit in 1984 for English singer Paul Young).

Up next is one of my own personal favorites from this third album is up next in the form of psych rock swirl of Electric Mind Control, then comes the ZZ Top-esque twang of Cadillac Walk, which is itself backed seamlessly by the gnarly guitar work found within Far Too Long, the album rounding out on the lighter blues affair Warm Oasis, closing on the drum-led rocker Hanging.

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