One is a Hall of Fame musician with a storied past and the other, a brilliant guitar player who has languished in virtual obscurity for way to long. From the foibles of the genre, this union of Marty

Balin & Mark 'Slick ' Aguilar could be a resurgence of one of the most heralded and revered voices in the annals of contemporary music and augmented by the splendor of a superb guitarist who plays with the passion of those from The Golden Age of 'rock n' roll'. Greatness in any selected art medium is very fleeting when compared to the hourglass of life but the finest barometer of grandeur is 'time' and Marty Balin has transcended the decades as one of the great tenors in the history of contemporary music. From the ashes of The Counter Culture and the legacy of 2400 Fulton Street, a tinge of the past and songs for the future will now be presented to the masses as the charm and charisma of Marty and 'Slick ' will soon begin as an impending tour is on the horizon. The disingenuous comparisons to past projects is a non-factor as the dynamics of this duet awaits their chance to ascend the thrown as one of music's greatest additions.

Marty has come full circle, a brilliant song writer and singer and now with the juxtaposing guitarist of comparable skills that has set the tone for the next decade. Comparisons to the past are inevitable but this is not a nostalgic look at a sixties survivor or the chronicles of an aging icon but more of an appreciation for greatness. Both are visionaries and their expectations are to expand the parameters of the genre, eradicate the banality of most current airplay and bring integrity and content back to the roots of rock n' roll.

The mischief and mayhem of the sixties has now given way to a more rancor and pride attitude and a roguish aura that exudes from Slick as he displays a distinct virtuosity matched by a selected few and exceeded by none. A tandem for the ages, they appear undaunted by the challenges of today's musical market and their acceptance to the mainstream will rapidly evolve into a communal euphoria. One is defined by glory past, the other awaiting his rightful place in the echelons of musical immortals and deservedly so. A myriad of years have passed without an impact band that could amass a legion of fans from a humble, embryonic beginning but the time has come to abruptly alter that media sensationalism.

Enter Marty Balin and 'Slick' Aguilar, poised and ready to ascend the ladder of success and attain their rightful place in the hierarchy of 'rock n' roll' royalty.

Cheers
Don Aters - 3/20/2008