STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector Nine) is a jam band for the New Millennium. Its live DVD, taped during the last three days of 2005, could just as easily have been captured in the wee small hours prior to 2000’s dawn: This act parties like it’s 1999. Although they look and dress exactly like a million other Santa Cruz jam bands, they only sound like one occasionally. Their set list flits hummingbird-like over an endless array of musical styles. Guitarist Hunter Brown plucks out funk grooves one moment then rocks out the next. David Phipps’ keyboard playing oftentimes veers into Miles Davis Bitches Brew fusion jazz territory, as well as landing at more traditional jazz locales. Then, when you least expect it, lights go down and beats per minute rev up, strobe lights blink and electronic elements take center stage. STS9 is also unafraid to mix things up and throw in spoken word drop-ins, as happens during “Instantly.” Live as Time Changes will appeal to urban disco dollies and patchouli-scented hacky sack players alike. Through a mixture of traditional musicianship and cutting edge progressive electronics, STS9 reveals itself to be a uniquely contemporary band of musical alchemists.
~ Dan MacIntosh
Release date: October 3, 2006
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