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Review: Rhythm Room gets Showcase Live jumping



From left, Kait Clavette, Alan Clavette and Chelsea Lembo perform with The Rhythm Room. (submitted)




Local ensemble draws 600 fans to Patriot Place venue
FOXBORO - Like the Gershwin tune, The Rhythm Room is all about rhythm. But as it turns out, the talented local ensemble conceived and headed by North Attleboro's Rick Morin is also about melody, harmony, choreography and a plethora of musical styles stretching from Africa to the American Southwest.

One might also add commercial success. The local touring act, which blends elements of "Stomp" with original music and virtuoso solo performances to create a unique show, packed the tony Showcase Live venue at Patriot Place on Saturday night with about 600 appreciative fans.

Centered on front people Tom Frederick and Julie Marrinucci, The Rhythm Room opened with a snare groove from its new album "Circle of Souls" and transitioned to "Badlands," evoking a taste of the American West. But there were also examples of rhythm and blues, African drumming, cajun, funk, calypso and rock as the ensemble tore through a catalog of musical styles.

Those unfamiliar with The Rhythm Room's eclectic groove might have needed a road map to keep up with all the transitions, but the band was in front of a local crowd who had no trouble following along.

Marrinucci, her powerful voice complemented by Frederick's baritone solo and backing vocals, was clearly the melodic centerpiece of the group. But one of the many keys to the Rhythm Room's performance is the sheer multi-instrumental versatility of the group's 10 members that allows each to shine either individually or as part of an ensemble.
During the show, the band continually reconfigured itself, on one occasion with some of its members putting down their percussion instruments and re-forming into a funky brass ensemble. At another point, sax player Chelsea Lembo doffed her horn to deliver a memorable blues vocal, and percussionist Micah Weaver drew a big audience response with a hip hop interlude.

Morin, a well-known drummer and music educator, played the genial host while flitting from drum kit to keyboard to bells to harmonica. During the set break, he even conducted a group of his younger students in an audience participation segment.

In short, The Rhythm Room's performance delivered something to engage almost everyone, at some level. As Gershwin would have said, who could ask for anything more?


 


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