· PEBBLEMAN - SUPERFIED (PS003) ·

::T R A C K S::

01. SEARCHING
02. LET'S GO CRAZY
03. SUPERFIED
04. I DON'T CARE
05. EDGE OF NAILS
06. MOTHERLESS CHILD
07. PRETTY LITTLE LIES
08. DON'T TELL ME
09. HIGH ALERT
10. SET ME FREE


FORMAT: Audio CD / 4 PANEL DIGIPACK
PS003 - $14.99

Way-kool third studio disc by this excellent, blues-based, heavy guitar rock band from South Africa featuring Richard Pryor on guitar & Jesse Jordan on vocals. Includes 10 tracks of awesome, powerful, guitar-fueled blues rock music that stands tall and lands with legit strength & excellence. Richard Pryor is a true, kick-ass guitarist who rocks the good six string jam:house down to the ground with electrified blues power & passion on the essential Grooveyard-approved Pebbleman - "Superfied" disc.


MP3 Sample Clips

01. SEARCHING
02. LET'S GO CRAZY
03. SUPERFIED
04. I DON'T CARE
05. EDGE OF NAILS
06. MOTHERLESS CHILD
07. PRETTY LITTLE LIES
08. DON'T TELL ME
09. HIGH ALERT
10. SET ME FREE

 

· VIDEO ·

 

PEBBLEMAN: "Searching" (promo video)

 

PEBBLEMAN: "Edge Of Nails" (promo video)

 

 

· reviews ·

Hailing from Cape Town, Pebbleman are a four-piece hard rock band with a blues twist. Formed in 2011, the band have released two albums to date – 2012’s Life Inside A Dream and 2014’s Call Of Fate. Now back with a third offering, Superfied, the band are picking up where the pandemic forced so many musicians to leave off, offering up a well-produced set that draws on the likes of Dan Reed, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Buddy Guy and Led Zeppelin. As you might expect, therefore, strong guitar playing and soulful vocals are very much the order of the day, and the band have both the chops and the attitude to pull it off.

The album opens with the hotwired blues riff and thunderous drums of Searching. With soulful, yet funky vocals, it’s a musically heavy track with a strong melody, and it sets the scene for the album nicely, not least thanks to an absolutely stinging lead from ace guitarist Rich Pryor. Despite its energetic title, Let’s Go Crazy is a radio-friendly number – part Dan Reed, part Kris Barras – and its chorus is custom made for audience participation. Next up, the title track sees the band up the ante as vocalist Jesse Jordan adopts a harder-edged delivery and the band lay down the funk behind him. Recalling pre-Californication RHCP, it’s an addictive track and it’s easy to see why the band named the album for it. Similarly, I Don’t Care has a sparky delivery, albeit with a stronger blues’ focus, further emphasised by the deft addition of keys. It also has one hell of a chorus and, if you’re not already singing Let’s Go Crazy in the shower each morning, then this one will surely do the trick. The first half of the album concludes with the epic Edge Of Nails. A luxurious showcase for the band’s skills, and Rich Pryor’s in particular, it’s a slow-burning number that climaxes with a soaring solo although, amidst the musicianship, the band remember the importance of a strong melody, and the track emerges as one of several album highpoints.

Opening side two, the gritty blues riff of the similarly lengthy Motherless Child is nailed by Kevin Gibson’s taught beat and Rob Stemmet’s throbbing bass. It initially makes for one of the album’s hardest tracks, only for the band to head off in an unexpected progressive direction in the middle. They bring it all home for the conclusion, and you’re left somewhat in awe at the way the band twist and turn, all the while maintaining a coherent flow and a tight grasp on melodies that make you want to sing from the first moment you hear them. Having set the pace, the band head back into funkier territory on the light-touch Pretty Little Lies. An airy track with plenty of pop nous, it evaporates in the face of the prowling blues of Don’t Tell Me, which is a more typical blues piece elevated by the imaginative percussion of Kevin Gibson. It also boasts a strong vocal performance and plenty of attitude, making it a sure fire favourite when the band hit the stage. It’s followed by a good time blues track, High Alert, which has a bouncy rhythm and guitar licks reminiscent of Robert Cray. Meanwhile, Jesse Jordan moves deftly between smooth croon and a harder edged approach, keeping the listener hooked. It leaves the crunchy riffs of Set Me Free to see the album out on a high. A lengthy track with Zeppelin vibes and exemplary guitar work, it’s a showstopper and, for all that the album as a whole is very strong, it’s clear that the band saved the best for last.

With a range of influences from funk and soul to hard rock and blues, Pebbleman have some serious chops. However, while their musicianship is never far from the surface, the band are astute enough to not let it overshadow the songs, and the album is packed with memorable hooks. Boasting strong performances, plenty of energy and a sequence that flows as neatly as a live set, Superfied is a very impressive offering and, if there’s any justice, will further shine a spotlight on the myriad amazing bands residing in South Africa. 9/10

Phil Stiles / Sonic Abuse (March 2022)
 


South Africa, not only a country with glorious Savanne, with a lush variety of species and where two world seas meet, but also a country in the top-notch musicians produce first-class rock music. In the upcoming PEBBLEMAN album 'Superfied', RICHARD PRYOR, who with his well-trained finger acrobatic for playful highlights on the six-string, also as a producer, has put his stamp on the whole. PRYOR's jam session is the best way to listen to the long pieces "Edge Of Nails" and "Motherless Child". No question - RICHARD, you got this! In addition to his proven colleague, singer JESSE JORDAN, bassist ROB STEMMETT and drummer KEVIN GIBSON, this time with MORNE TOUA, he brought another keyman into the boat. A good choice, because this is how the band is able to give their sound foundation even more expressive. Ten songs with a total length of a short hour can be found on 'Superfied' on the listeners, which were played with a lot of passion. Building on predominantly the finest blues skirt, the record of FLORIS LE ROUX in Cape Town was almost perfectly mixed and mastered. Although RICHARD's guitar playing often highlights, the songs are at the center of their overalls. Maybe also a reason why singer JORDAN is so right in bloom, and in my opinion, the best JORDAN ever heard. The Cape Town Combo around RICHARD PRYOR has 'Superfied' the right one out. For me PEBBLEMAN's best album. And because that's the case, I highly recommend buying it.

Mike Kempf / Sound Analyse (January 2022)
 


When it comes to crunch, Richard Pryor digs deep. With the guitarist at the helm of the supercharged Pebbleman ensemble, this cooking Cape Town band keeps delivering with awesome chops all round. With the release of their third album, SUPERFIED, Fans once again get to relish the Pebbleman experience after an enforced break from the bandstand. Turned up loud, this 10-track collection is almost like a live gig. At the core it features Jesse Jordan showcasing that phenomenal voice which could easily front any of the world’s top rock acts. There’s no denying that Jesse is one of South Africa’s best rock voices to ever have emerged from the country. Uber-bassist Rob Stemmet is always a pleasure to see and hear, and here he wields his Warrick with all those in-the-pocket grooves he’s become known for. Drummer Kevin Gibson powers the band with focused stickwork. He’s a master technician that underpins the project with percussive intricacies that keep propelling it forward. But ultimately, it’s Richard Pryor that ignites the flame. There’s a gravitas to this uber-guitarist’s fretwork that ticks all the boxes. His melodic riffs combine just the right amount of emotive depth, classic references and flurries of licks to garner huge respect. From sensitive sustain to hard shredding crunch, this axeman’s playing is appealingly nuanced.

Jane Mayne / Weekend Special (December 2021)
 




 


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