"The Chicago area certainly seems to be putting out some great music from the progressive/fusion genres. Last year exposed me to Joel Hoekstra, who has released two great CDs that are sure to please progfusion fans, and recently I had the pleasure of hearing the talents of Kick The Cat, another band that is worth chasing down, and another new band coming up from Chi-town - Umphrey's McGee has now caused a stir in prog circles everywhere with their original sounding music. Now with much pleasure I am offering the reading public yet another band that is showing enormous technique, dazzling musicianship, and a unique blending of progressive music and fusion skills all wrapped into a nice little combo called - BAD DOG U.
All these bands have a few things in common; one being their great musicianship, another being the crafty use of both progressive writing and fusion techniques, yet another is a subtle sense of humor either in the names of their respective band names, song titles, or some of the bounce their music shows. All are unique in sound apart from the others, yet each understands that while being serious musicians, music can be fun as well.
What I am hearing with BDU as I will call them, is a band that displays the gift of composition savvy, showing a similiar musicality that Dave Stewart and Bill Bruford brought to the Bruford albums from the 70s, where prog rock and fusion would combine into a cohesive and flowing music that would inspire a new generation. BDU features musicians of the highest caliber; they don't really have one particular genre or style that defines their sound. At times they can mimic the warmth and aggression of west coasters - Karizma or Los Lobotomys, then it's on to more sophisticated sounds as described by the Bruford reference, add a little UK, Brand X along to that. Other songs would show some RTF/Mahavishnu or even some hints of The Dregs, and add maybe some Tribal Tech. Now you are getting some notion of what I am hearing with this band of chameleonic fusioneers. They obviously are not ashamed to play what they were inspired by.
There really are not enough bands playing in this style of music, and what few there are need far more press than what they are getting. BDU reminds me heavily of another great band called A Helmet of Gnats; another band that displays quite a few different genres in their sound. BAD DOG U truely surprises with this CD, their first! Here is hoping for more great music from a great band."
Bad Dog U: Press
"Well I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. Long time customer Ernie Denov contacted me about his fusion band from Chicago with a most odd name. Being polite, I asked Ernie to send it in for a spin. Well damned if this disc didn't blow my head off!
BAD DOG U are an instrumental quartet steeped in the tradition of 70s fusion bands like RTF and Mahavishnu Orchestra with more than a little nod to Tribal Tech, The Dregs and Kenso. Denov is an extremely tasteful player and I'm equally impressed with the soloing ability of keyboardist Rick Snyder. These are long tracks filled with intricacies and intelligence. Highly recommended."
"Wow... is this some lost 70s guitar-fusion classic?
This recording is the best kind of guitar driven progressive fusion. It's not a clone, but it will remind you of the best of the 70s classics like Ponty and Mahavishnu. However, it still sounds fresh and relevant to the present. This stuff just soars, and takes me with it. Outstanding effort!"
"Bad Dog U is a jazz-fusion/progressive rock band fronted by guitarist Ernie Denov, who have been toiling around the Chicago music scene for nearly two decades, finally releasing their self titled debut in 2004. The CD is a very classy and professional sounding recording that will easily appeal to fans of fusion groups such as Chick Corea's Return To Forever and The Elektric Band, Dixie Dregs, Tribal Tech, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck, Helmet of Gnats, and even some of the Japanese fusion bands such as Kenso and Side Steps. Featuring Denov's tasty guitar work and the nimble keyboard playing of Rick Snyder, the band is cemented by the rock solid grooves of drummer Rick Vitek and bassist Dave Farley. Together, Bad Dog U have created a formidable debut that has much to recommend.
Most of the songs here are fairly long and very melodic, with lots of room for improvisation yet always remaining within the framework of the song. Take "Prodigal" for instance, a sophisticated jazz piece highlighted by extensive solo forays by Snyder's synth and Denov's Larry Carlton-inspired guitar. There's majestic pieces like "Olderwisersadder" (Denov gets some searing Jeff Beck sounding leads in on this one), funky burners as on "Recess," flat out aggressive fusion romps like "Skyscrapers," and proggier styles as heard on "It Wasn't Easy" or "Fancy Mixed Nuts." Regardless of the tune, there is always an undercurrent of jazz going on here, and never is a song reliant on chops. Melody, melody and more melody is the key here, folks.
So, if you dig stylish modern-day fusion with a proggy edge, then you can't go wrong with this debut from Bad Dog U."
"The oddly named Bad Dog U is a Chicago based instrumental band that has made the best symphonic fusion album you've never heard."