CD Review: The Uniphonics' 'Crawl'
The Daily Iowan

November 18, 2010

This pneumatic, skin-tight combo has placed a singular stamp on the area's scene over the past three-plus years, spot-welding Derek "Animosity" Thorn's tongue-tripping rhymes to jazzified funk churned out by a sinuous, high octane quintet.

Recorded with clarity and punch by John Svec at his Minstrel Studios, The Uniphonics' first full-length biscuit offers an hour-plus of taut, hard-case jams.

Mixing populist bromides, peer/influence name-checks and general braggadocio, Animosity is an effective, percussive rapper; meanwhile, the rhythm section of bassist Ryan Casteel and tub-thumper Forrest Heusinkveld is -- like good bacon -- crisp AND greasy, and guitarist Craig Heidgerken, keyboardist Joseph McKinley and (especially) saxophonist Ben Pierce tag-team from sleek comping to well-placed solo accents.

All-world trombonist Robin Eubanks (Dave Holland, Stevie Wonder) offers dazzling, thoroughly-engaged romps on the spacious left-fielder "Land Mines" and the big-time title-track, Dennis McMurrin applies his legendary ax to the P-Funk-flavored "We Bring the Funk," and Aaron "Heatbox" Heaton adds flair to the boss, kinetic closer, "So I Say II."

-- Jim Musser

Jump High

The Uniphonics have created waves of excitement across the United States since forming out of the Iowa City music scene in 2007. Their jam band approach to hip hop has led them to performances at countless major festivals and venues across the country. They’ve played on bills with some of their biggest influences, including George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Rusted Root, Karl Denson, The Roots, and Primus. 

The band released an EP in 2009 called “Truth Be Told.” The album received positive reviews and built anticipation for “Crawl,” their full length album which was released in September 2010. “Crawl” has received raving 5 star reviews. It features several songs with Robin Eubanks, a multiple grammy award winning musician who is widely considered to be the premier trombonist of his generartion. The album also features guitarist Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin, who is known for his work with George Clinton, Sly and the Family Stone, and Tower of Power. A Minneapolis based vocal phenom named Heatbox also appears on the album.

The Uniphonics tour relentlessly in support of their 2 releases. They have built a large base of fans who love the positivity and musicality that they bring to every live performance. 