Rare Blend Review of "Evolution Theory" @ iTunes By: Alex S. Johnson ersatility, Thy name is Rare Blend. Working a rainbow spectrum of styles and doing them all justice, this band truly delivers on its name. Guitarist Vic Samalot alone shows encyclopedic grasp of six string grammar: Witness the Jeff Beck meets Steve Morse, deep, warm hues of "Little Mean Baby," the Afro-Cuban-salsa-flamenco soup of "Catemaco," the otherworldly sensuality of "Belly Dancer," and the bluesy Telecaster work on "Techno Jam" (supported by Kip Reed's bass.) Jeff Scott's bass, sinuous and lithe as a snake, demonstrates similar mastery of the bottom end, particularly on "Apochromatic Wanderings," which ripples artificial harmonies over Bobbi Holt's sizzling keyboards. "Fifty Thousand Years" arches "Catemaco's" sweet, acid Santana-like guitar across a mysterious landscape haunted by Holt's didgeridoo work. Holt doubles guitars with Samalot on the Robert Fripp-meets-Les Paul chromatics of "Rod's Migraine," and the album cruises to a close on the funky "So Cool," featuring Holt's smooth-as-satin vocals. First Rate! © Alex S. Johnson / Progression Magazine Little Mean Baby Lost 7/8 Belly Dancer Fifty Thousand Years Chillin' Techno Jam