Hazie Maze is bringing funk and brought plenty to spread around. Bring Us Together is an instant shot of energy. Someone found the ZING button on the console in the studio and presses it constantly throughout the run of this recording. Energy courses through these tracks like a visible entity. Each song is an overloaded cable surging all over the place with rhythm. The music itself is at the center of attention here, it's not some crazy vocalist with a backup band or some producer with a bunch of loops, present here on this recording is a troupe of talented musicians, totally tuned into each other and ready to tap into the soul of each tune. There's a little disco here, a lot of funk, and more rhythm than all those Stomp kids combined. "Peaches in my Pocket" is the first track, and is in this context one of the kickers on this album. Examining this disc as a tape or record album, there has to be a second side, drawing the line right down the middle. On the literal flip-side, track six, "Slick" is so damned cool a song; it merits immediate repeat listenings and even then doesn't get old. Again, each song is good enough to make you say "damn!" but the sixth track is good enough to induce a "daaaayamn!" Dance music can be and is usually heartless, soulless stuff with a pseudo-funky beat designed to make kids high on psychedelics vibrate. Hazie Maze surely exhibits more than enough danceable quality, but has a soul. Rather than manufactured technojunk, Hazie is an organic sounding creation that lives and breathes throughout each track. Everything is just so and polished properly, though never overproduced sounding. There is absolutely no give in this entire record, and it is suitable for both background and foreground music, shaking your stereo or plugged in through the headphones, this is rhythmic music in one of its purest recent forms.

Hazie Maze has created a well crafted masterpiece. Bring Us Together is flawlessly inspiring. This CD is filled to the brim with fresh funk and is destined to become a local classic. Amee Jana's voice is a powerhouse -- easily comparable to Aretha Franklin. And, her band plays on a Red Hot Chili Peppers/Sublime level. This CD is Rhythm and Blues at it's finest. This CD is Funk at it's finest. This CD is New Wave at it's finest. This CD is Pop-Rock at it's finest. This CD has blurred every musical line possible -- a stellar achievement. Energetic, mesmerizing, deep, personal and fun. Let Hazie Maze tangle you into their web of funk. The only disappointment, it had to end. Buy this CD now.

Hazie Maze's front woman, Amee Jana, says that one of her turn-ons is the ability to converse without words. Her talent, however, is to use words to sing the songs that have put Hazie Maze on the map of the northeastern funk and groove scene. The band recalls undergrad days of going to see friends' jazz/funk bands that were heavy on horns and the concept of jammin'. However, Hazie takes it to the next level with Jana's crooning voice - similar to Morcheeba's soulful Skye's sound - and rhythmic inspiration that leaves endless jams at home and brings a sophistication to the band's impromptu vibe. On its latest release, Bring Us Together, the band thanks numerous Boston musical connections, including Candace Avery (formerly of NEMO) and Parliament's George Clinton, which gives you an idea of where this CD is coming from.

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On Saturday night I went to Sully's Pub in Hartford and checked out the pop rock sounds of local boys Subtle Mischief and the jam rock sounds of Boston's Hazie Maze. I really enjoyed Hazie Maze' mixture of funk, jazz and dance. I was particularly impressed when the band did a jazzy version of the Mission Impossible theme complete with trombone and sax solos. I also enjoyed the sultry vocals of singer Amee Jana. She emanates an earthy sexuality as she shimmies on stage.

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Can two seemingly disparate styles such as drum 'n' bass and funk coexist in one song? It can for Boston-based Hazie Maze. The band pulls it off for the ambitious 'The Silence,' a groovy tune that demonstrates why this seven-piece outfit was nominated for Best Funk Band at the Boston Music Awards. Though charismatic vocalist Amee Jana is often the center of attention (she's been compared to Donna Summer by one music critic), each member gets a chance to flaunt his or her stuff with a solo, whether it be drums or trombone. Influences such as Prince, Jamiroquai, Lenny Kravitz, Lauryn Hill, Fishbone and Stevie Wonder come across nicely in Hazie Maze's funk-jazz-soul fusion. As a result, the band's rendering of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' fits perfectly in place.

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This is a talented band: trombone, saxophone, drums, keyboards, guitar, bass and vocals all combine to create a sound that is tight and marked by a strength of personality not demonstrated by their predecessors. The musical knowledge of the keyboardist was evident to anyone who caught the strains of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" quoted in their opening piece. The trombone soloist was outstanding at every opportunity, and vocalist Amee Jana is to be commended for her ability to deliver a strong performance without belting... Hazie Maze made excellent use of its time onstage by selecting a variety of pieces to perform, making their half hour a most entertaining one.

Rumor had it that a disco rock band was playing at Sully's last Friday. Anxious to see that combination, it wasn't what I found. But, what I did find, was a hot new band from Boston called Hazie Maze. This was the ultimate in a dance-party band, dishing solid, tight, funk, soul, hip-hop's drum and bass, with a touch of reggae... When Hazie Maze came up the band was big -- seven musicians plus a lead vocalist looking like a kittenish pop singer. They have only been together since September 2000. They started the night with an instrumental tune and went from there. The energy didn't stop. The Kelvins, who were headlining the night, seemed to have some of their time cut short. Lead singer Amee Jana, looking like a young college co-ed, comes out with a soul singer's voice; a real surprise element. Her heavy, full-bodied voice dished it out with sultry dancing and a very self-confident attitude. Drummer Ty Osborne had an interesting moment when he kicked into a rap, with Jana holding the mic for him. He kept the staccato used for drumming while rapping, which brought in the drum and bass part to the rap sequence. On one song, Jana gave an echo-type effect on the backup. "Tangled Web" brought us back into the traditional funk sound after another hip-hop interlude. Tenor saxophonist Eric Brooks kicked in singing backup for Jana. Jana kept the funk groove rolling with vocal embellishments filling in during the musical breaks. The horn section, Brooks and trombonist Chris Marson, held a steady balance between the rhythms of bassist Drewbud and the melodies of guitarist Max Crystal and keyboardist Chris Bingham. All of the music was original except for the encore, which was Prince's "SexyMotherFucker." Another moment into hip-hop came; this time trombonist Marson was pushing the flow. These are the moments that create the modern in the music and keep the beats so the dance party continues. Intertwined styles like these make this band so interesting, fresh, and unpredictable. Hazie Maze are a must-see when they swing back through town.

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It's rare when a new band on the scene receives a nomination for a Boston Music Award. But the R&B funk band Hazie Maze is one of those exceptions. They were among the handful of local funk, R&B, and soul groups to be nominated along with last year's and this year's winners Superhoney. Hazie Maze lead vocalist Amee Jana recently discussed her band's notable accomplishments and the BMA nomination for Best Funk Band. Hazie Maze has been seeing a lot of success for a band that released their first album just under a year ago...

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I don't believe the human tongue is capable of inventing the appropriate words to describe just how out of this world Hazie Maze is. Words like fantastic, compelling, breathtaking, and original come close, but dissapoint as they only shed remote light on how truly amazing this band is live. After becoming Storrow Drive's bitch for nearly forty-five minutes, I feared that I was going to miss the show I had been craving to see for some time now. However, to my good fortune, the evening at Harper's Ferry got off to an unexpected late start. For concert go-ers, a late start generally puts an immediate damper on the show. However, as I looked into the sea of vivid, eager faces packing the generally packed venue, not a single frown or sign of disappoint was apparent. It was obvious that these kids were Hazie Maze junkies, waiting, wanting, craving every fresh beat Hazie Maze could possibly provide. As the band took to the stage, a magnetic spark was immediatley exuded, lighting a night of pure funk, jazz, hip-hop, ska, reggae, disco, and latino rock. Hazie Maze, led by lead vocalist Amee Jana, absolutely dominated. Opening the show with brass friendly, danceable "Crossfire," not only allowed them to capture the audience with their smooth lyrics, outstanding instrument skills and pure aura, but also allowed them to invent a whole new meaning to the word satisfied. Maze plowed throught Harper's Ferry like an unstoppable tornado of funk, unleashing songs like "So I Turn to You," "Angry Child," "The Silence," and one phat rendition of "Billie Jean" by the always cover friendly Michael Jackson. Each song they played had it's own element of uniqueness with solo sessions from every member of the group. Kudos to drummer Ty Osborne, who threw down some admirable rap-styles during "Tangled Web." Also mentionable was the killer saxophone solo during "Broken Bone," provided by the newest member of the group, Eric Brooks. The band is very reminiscent of old school No Doubt (pre-sellout... I mean collaborations with Eve and Moby).

Wow! We seem to be spoiled with the emergence of great lady frontwomen in this scene. I get reminded of this every month, when I am sent something totally extraordinary on that tip. Hazie Maze is becoming one of the more familiar names on the east coast, and more specifically in New England. Their formula is captivating. Although, there is alot of great disco porno funk ala Deep Banana of two years ago, in their music, it is not that limited. The players in this band seem to be affected more with the jazz turns of a Steely Dan. It seems that Hazie Maze represents everything good about bands that play this sort of music. They have not pigeonholed themselves into being easily classified. Their singer Amee, who I was referencing earlier, ranges in her crooning mode. One moment you can hear a little Diana Krall in songs like Open. The next moment, she sounds like a high energy Donna Summer, just waiting to erupt. That with the inspired flow of the band, will set you up with a highly entertaining smorgasbord of sound and groove, that most bands in this genre highly lack. These guys are slowly becoming the rage!

This band has it all!... I like this band because of their musicianship, their interesting repertoire, ability to groove, and most of all, their sense of arrangement. It is not often that a new band has the musical maturity to go beyond the basic verse-chorus sound arrangement... Hazie Maze is a tight groovin band playing interesting arrangements and having fun too! If you like an eclectic mix of musical styles, tight arrangements and danceable grooves, Hazie Maze is a fun night out! This is an IMPRESSIVE band!!

With a trippy, funked-out sound, Hazie Maze turns up the juice on their outstanding new CD, Tangled Web! Fronted by the smooth delivery of R&B diva Amee Jana, HM locks down their sound with pumping horn lines, a super funky rhythm section and excellent psychedelic guitar work... Funky, tight and totally sexy, Hazie Maze sets the pulse of R&B in Boston today!!!

Listen to the band's full-length Cd, "Tangled Web" and you'll tangle your tongue trying to describe the music. Jazzy disco funk fusion? Electric eccentric electronica? It's hard to say-both literally and figuratively-exactly what kind of music this is. But whatever you want to call it, the music of Hazie Maze will get you dancing and definitely keep you guessing!... Combining synthesizer, bass, guitar, electric and acoustic drums, trumpet, trombone, and drawing from reggae, Latin, disco, hip-hop, R&B, and funk influences, this seven-piece band was bound to have an eclectic sound!

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Hazie Maze has a reputation for putting on a high energy rock show to inspire the most discriminating musical palates. And the new album (Tangled Web) is a funky masterpiece just waiting to be unleashed on the masses!