Music: Zion Albert

NDEZVOUS

with an emphasis on treble - and his arsenal of complex chords and spidery runs often played high up on the fretboard, the overall effect is quite different from your standard drop-D tuning sludge-fest. Add in Logan's ever-pounding bass and drummer Tristan Arnold's relentless, unhinged attack on the skins and you've got the essence of rock. And the same can certainly be said for "Atlas," another recent single. Reportedly the first song the band ever wrote together, it's a 12-minute journey through all their influences that even serves up some Latin flavor and chill-hop because that's just how the Doctor rolls. In fact, the song is such a beast, it's been divided into sections for release; the first half - featuring Harmes on vocals once again - hit streaming services on New Year's Eve, giving everyone a reason to celebrate and throw back another cold one.

But while the band plans to continue working with Tyner at Black Cat Recording and release more singles, the big picture is still incomplete. The core members - Arnold, Logan and Taleno - recently played a well-received show sans Harmes with Logan handling the bulk of the vocals and Taleno proving he can both shred on guitar and sing back-up simultaneously. So there's any number of directions Dr. Rendezvous can head at this juncture. Or, as Logan clarifies, "we're still a mixed bag." The guys do intend to collect all of their Tyner-recorded material to date (possibly including tracks cut with previous vocalist Dakota Madden) onto an official album at some point. But they're already looking ahead to a 90's-based production - a conceptual body of work with titles all pulled from the headlines of that grungy decade, including "Waco," "Woodstock '99," "Operation Desert Storm" and, inevitably, "Monica Lewinsky."

Stay tuned and be sure to catch Dr. Rendezvous at Lamasco Bar & Grill on February 11.

For more info, follow Dr. Rendezvous on Facebook or visit drrendezvous.com.

ZION ALBERT

TRI-STATE'S REGGAE AUTHORITY DROPS "MARGINALIZED PEOPLE," A STIRRING ODE TO THE POWERLESS

While it's true that most folks don't equate southern Indiana with the rise-above-oppression message behind much of reggae music, that's hardly deterred Zion Albert from addressing society's ills in song and sharing his thoughts and feelings with the tri-state and far beyond. In fact, over the years he's built up quite the catalog of inspirational protest anthems and performed with the likes of The Wailers Band, Pato Banton, Mighty Diamonds, Luciano, Junior Reid and many more internationally-known acts and artists, including Baby Cham in Las Vegas in 2021.

Following the release of last summer's The Armagideon which featured the single "Proliferate Uprising," Zion went back into the studio to create a stirring ode to the powerless. Uplifting yet defiant, "Marginalized People" takes on the plight of those who've fallen through the cracks and been left behind by society - but refuse to simply go away quietly: "We'll never, ever lose the faith, no way...We said we'll never, ever give up the fight, no way." It's a mantra that becomes more impactful as the track progresses with Zion's commanding lyrical flow driving home the point. Musically, the basic reggae chord structure allows for the message to be heard loud and clear - it's pure and from the heart.

As noted, Zion has a vast back catalog, so be sure to check out zionalbert. com to hear more from the tri-state's reggae authority.

"Marginalized People" is available on all major streaming services.