Taking inspiration from the likes of The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Mark Bram, performing as Ruby Topaz, is a virtuoso musician with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things rock. With his band, also named Ruby Topaz, they take a sincere approach to their music, and with new album, ‘Rabbit Hole’, listeners are taken on a thrilling, electrified journey.
‘Rabbit Hole’ is done in the traditional manner; real people and real instruments, making real music, while enjoying a little creative innovation along the way. Bram’s high pitched vocals take their inspiration from Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury, with Mark claiming, “I got the power from Mercury and the highness from Plant”. It might sound like he’s making bold claims, but he has the talent and ability to support them, and his guitar prowess is likewise superb, and enough to label him a modern guitar hero.
Mark Bram is a music fan and a music fanatic, and he records in his own studio, outfitted by way of having secured as much authentic vintage gear as possible, some even used by The Beatles. A true polymath, he designed the album cover for ‘Rabbit Hole’, which became a family affair when it was drawn by his mother in law, Katrina Ginzburg, with the help of his wife, Katya Ginzburg-Bram.
The 14 track ‘Rabbit Hole’ leaves the listener in no doubt, right from the start, about what it’s setting out to do. The title track screams out Led Zeppelin, in both vocals and instrumentals, while the instrumental, ‘Dream Running’ calls to mind some of the more experimental Beatles tracks from their later days. Further on, the largely acoustic ‘Schizophrenic Law’ returns to Led Zeppelin. Overall the album is filled with enough variety and syncopated melodies to warm the heart of any fan of rock music, whether it be from the 60s, 70s, or beyond.
Stream and purchase ‘Rabbit Hole’ on Bandcamp, and stream on Spotify.
Find out more about Ruby Topaz and their music online on their official website, Apple Music, and YouTube.
