R For Romeo are the musicians Daniel Stein and Stuart Ziff. The mysterious band name derives from a phrase of Stanley Kubrick's classic Dr. Strangelove “It decodes as Wing Attack R. R for Romeo”. The choice of the band name indicates a certain intellectual ambition of the two protagonists.

As is so often the case with studio musicians or accompanists, the names are unknown to the general public. All the more significance is given to a debut album whose title is not found on the cover and, according to the accompanying text on the back of the album, turns out to be Plan R.

For their debut album, the two musicians were able to recruit an illustrious crowd of musicians from the L.A. scene such as bassists Rene Camacho (War) and Travis Carlton (Larry Carlton), trumpeter Chris Tedesco (Christine Aguilera, Michael Bublé), drummers Kevin Stevens (Duane Eddy), Fred Dinkins (Al Green, Stevie Wonder), and Rick Latham (Edgar Winter), and percussionist Marcos Reyes (War).

The album opens with Checkmate, a reggae-influenced slow-tempo guitar tune. The somehow melancholic atmosphere is underlined by Tedesco's muted trumpet and Stein's Rhodes. Go Play In The Street starts with keyboard chords, supported by bass, wah-wah guitar and distorted guitar. Edgy is the right description for this tune.

Lockdown is a often-used term in this time of still effective pandemic. Vintage organ, hard guitar sound and synth waves driven by a snappy bass drive the song into the realm of hard rock. Midtown offers melodious sound with a Blues touch.

A certain sadness is also evident from the song Blue, which is marked by Ziff's weeping guitar and Stein's organ chords. Blabbermouth is something for friends of wah-wah guitar. The syncopated You Can't Be Serious has a funky Prince attitude. Last tune is Barney's Groove, which reminds me with the trumpet support of Tower of Power.

Plan R by R For Romeo is an album focused on the taste of audience, who loves edgy guitar music without soft-flushed comprises.

 

 

 

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Album Information

Title: Plan R
Artist: R For Romeo
Year: 2023
Genre: Rock
Label: Independent

1) "Checkmate" (5:00)
2) "Go Play in the Street" (5:40)
3) "Lockdown" (5:59)
4) "Midtown" (5:08)
5) "Blue" (4:36)
6) "Blabbermouth" (4:10)
7) "You Can't Be Serious" (4:01)
8) "Barney's Groove" (4:16)