Black Nasa
Deuce (CD) 2004 Meteor City
Black Nasa - who incidentally have one of the coolest group names in music IMO - is composed of Chris Kosnik on bass, vox, and guitar, Corey Stubblefield on drums, and Duane Hutter on guitar and harp. These Jersey Shorecore musos are veterans of groups like Godspeed and jam lords Atomic Bitchwax, not to mention fascinating projects like Scene Killer, a veritable who's who of musical Jersey royalty (and then some...) and the too-often maligned Gallery of Mites, a seedy, drunken foray into mid-60s R & B courtesy of ex-Monster Magnets’ Tim Cronin and Jon Kleiman. Nasa's first album was a solid exercise in songwriting with a definite early 70s bent-short songs with an emphasis on toking up and musical craftsmanship. Yet there was something generic about it, a feeling that they hadn't yet hit their stride. 'Deuce' goes a long way towards correcting that, while still striving to reach that 70s FM nirvana filled with stingrays, Chevelles, and sweet smoke. The songs are still simple and well crafted, yet this time around there seems to be a bit more thought and talent applied to the work, and a bit more mood as well, thanks to Chris' keys and especially Duane's groovin' slide work. Ex-Lemming and Shovelhead guitar maestro Jim Lapointe lends his considerable talent, and Keith Ackerman is up for a mention as well. There's definitely no lack of serious talent on this baby, applied to a formula that makes for good rockin;: simple, driving rhythms, lots of hooks n' grooves, and tuneage that more or less fits a mainstream template without selling out to The Man. Devotees of the sadly lamented Drag Pack, Puny Human, AC/DC, All Night, older Fu, Grand Funk, or mid-period Nebula will catch a groove with Black Nasa. And don't worry about the 'You be Illin' goof, it's only about a minute long.	1. Shabadoo 2. Colony 3. Kamikaze 4. Light 5. Thanks Anyway 6. Hut Nut 7. Boozer 8. Talking Candles 9. New World 10. You Be Illin' Approx. 33 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh