PRESS

GEORGE CLINTON
“Miss Velvet’s voice is the definition of Rock n Roll.”

ROCK and BLUES MUSE
Review: Feed the Wolf by Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf
“New York-centered funk rockers and George Clinton protégés Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf are hitting the music world hard at this very moment with their sophomore album Feed The Wolf. The record broke out August 23rd, 2019 on Isotopia Records and is an amazing tour de funk that features Clinton, himself, mixing and mingling with powerhouse vocalist Miss Velvet and the rest of the superheroes in this exceptionally talented outfit.

“Produced by Constance ‘C-Diddy’ Hauman and Nick ‘Drum Nicky’ Carbone, Feed The Wolf lives right on the border between funk and hard rock. The record is packed to the rafters with equal portions of deeply-grooving beats, loud, tough guitar rock, and heavy-duty horns, which all get topped off with the soon-to-be-legendary voice of Miss Velvet. Clinton has described her voice as ‘the definition of rock and roll’ and, as usual, he’s right on target.

“Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf have been touring with Clinton for the past couple of years and have been warmly embraced by Dr. Funkenstein and his legion of fans. They are the direct descendants of the pioneering work Clinton unleashed with Parliament/Funkadelic in the 1970s and have expanded the style and infused it with the energy and fire of modern rock. Miss Velvet is in possession of one of the finest and most original singing voices to be found in rock music today, one that combines elements of Janis Joplin, Robert Plant, and Nina Simone with her own true self and is more than capable of stopping traffic in Times Square.

“Feed The Wolf kicks off with the immediately-hypnotizing Super Bon Bon, a no-holds-barred heavy funk track that lets Miss Velvet showcase multiple sides of her God-given instrument while the band flexes its considerable muscles. It’s an instant attention-getter and a strong statement of originality and intent. The Blue Wolf lineup of Constance ‘C-Diddy’ Hauman (Keyboards), Nick ‘Drum Nicky’ Carbone (Drums), Henry ‘The Dude’ Ott (Guitars), James ‘Jimi Beamon’ Jones (Bass), Trevor Neuman (Trumpet), Dan Levine (Trombone), and Timothy ‘TJ’ Robinson (Trombone) is a high-level human music generator that has the skills and the soul to match Miss V step-for-step, a task that would obliterate a weaker band.

“The lead single from Feed The Wolf is Phat Blunt (feat. George Clinton), a bare-knuckle funk/rock cut that throws the Funkmaster right into the mix with these audacious players. Clinton stands strong in the storm, delivering flows that offer listeners a textural contrast to Velvet’s huge vocal tones and adds to the unpredictable nature of this entertaining set. Few besides Clinton have the funky cred to get up with this lot and survive and it’s easy to see the respect he and the band have for each other. Clinton blesses them with his presence and, in doing so, publicly acknowledges that Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf are among the chosen few elevating his legacy to new heights. He collaborates on multiple tracks on the record but this one needs to be heard first.

The title cut, Feed The Wolf, is a driving rock song that lets Velvet rage and roar. The true majesty of her voice comes out when she pushes like this and it’s an incredible thing to hear. The harder she goes, the stronger she gets. Her top end is as mighty as any in rock history and never displays even a hint of weakness or instability. She’s never harsh or brittle, even at full intensity, and easily ventures into realms many singers fear to attempt. Velvet never misses a step anywhere on these sessions and each song is a highlight in its own way. Still, the tracks Nasty Freak and Bitch Honey deserve extra immersion.

“Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf are a ridiculously brilliant crew who are obviously on their way to big things. Together, they make music that builds on the greatness of the past but turns it into a cutting-edge, relevant sound meant for 21st Century ears. This isn’t old school funk, rock, or anything else. Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf are 100% now and happening as we speak. Feed The Wolf is all about the new style and you’re going to love it.” — Mike O’Cull

MUSIC TALKERS
Why Feed the Wolf May Keep Icon George Clinton’s Fans Roaring for More

“Though one might question just how creatively Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf could incorporate George Clinton’s well-acclaimed Grammy-winning vision, their much-awaited EP Feed The Wolf immediately responds to those doubts with a sensational, soulful, electric setlist that conflates the most unique genres, moods, and styles the musicians have to offer.

“The collaboration, as a result, is a scintillating masterclass from Miss Velvet and The Blue Velvet—their hazy, wondrous whiskey-soaked vibe summoning the funky spirits of the decades gone by. Yet, here George Clinton’s experience inserts an additional dimension to the album, one that sizzles and rocks through the crowds amidst the immersions of rock and roll.

“The eponymous single Feed The Wolf begins with a thundering drum solo: an adrenaline-chasing euphoria in Miss Velvet’s angst-laden, screaming, head-pounding voice giving the listeners a taste of the hysteric, head-shaking delirium to be expected from such a sensational confluence of talent. Elevating the grunge genre from the dive bar sphere to raising the roof at ampitheatres, these trio set of musicians will have fans of classic rock up from their seats, lifting their fists and screaming till their voice gives out. But Miss Velvet’s enigmatic voice is not just a thrilling reflection of the madness of the seventies or the liberation of the eighties—it is a powerful showcase of her vocal range. Sometimes she is slow and moody, sometimes she can shatter glass with those notes.

“And lastly, these show-stopping tunes are not just an excellent demonstration of the beautiful slice of music that is molded in the cauldron of creative genius and focused collaboration; they respect the instruments, as given by their extensive, rousing drum solos, guitar solos and vocal runs. By stirring in the familiar, fist-pumping groove of the classic rock genre with the relaxing, vocal-heavy energy of the grunge and the funk times, Feed The Wolf has proven why George Clinton deserves the unofficial title of the Funk Extraordinaire—his experience and inclination at picking and mixing the most intriguing and stimulating of sounds still holds up today. This album should be a call-to-action to all the musicians out there trying to rediscover their jam without realizing it’s right there beside them, dancing away the night.”

HEAR2ZEN MAGAZINE
“Fresh from Byron Bay Bluesfest on Monday, Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf mesmerised Melbourne’s Forum on Wednesday with their brand of sultry NY grit, fused with funky bass lines and epic horns. Miss Velvet’s vocals are raw power, often compared to Robert Plant’s iconic vocal range and for good reason, her voice is an instrument in its own right. Each band member had a chance to shine in solos throughout the set and continued to keep the crowd under their spell. The range and fusion of sounds embraced by the group is impressive, taking you on an atmospheric musical journey with a sense of performance and showmanship that kept the crowd on its toes for the whole set. Miss Velvet & the Blue Wolf, we don’t know you very well yet in Australia but we should. Looking forward to the next time you rock Melbourne’s socks off!”

GIG JUNKIES LONDON
“Launching a funk rock and roll attack, Miss Velvet grabbed the audience’s attention immediately with her raspy vocals and energy… The cool and collected band included guitarist Henry Ott whose craftsmanship and riffs kept the audience’s hands in the air, and a three-piece horn section who were off the hook. The funkiness of the horns complimented Miss Velvet’s powerful melodies and mystical voice treating the waiting fans as the venue slowly filled to tracks Dare, Love Train and [Bad] Get Some, it was easy to see the band have a talent for writing as well as playing. Goosebumps filled the room with a cover of Summertime, perfect for the hot summer’s week that the UK had unusually been treated to. As Miss Velvet simmered the crowd, they’re one to look out for as they left the crowd to vigorous clapping.”

BALTIMORE STYLE
“Miss Velvet took the stage just before 8pm, immediately captivating the concertgoers, who ranged from young funkateers to gray-haired baby boomers there to catch one last glimpse of Clinton, who will turn 78 in July. The band plays a multi-genre mix of funk, metal and soul with frontwoman Miss Velvet belting out raspy vocals over heavy riffs punctuated by trumpet and trombone. Each opener played a truncated set of 30 to 40 minutes, a bit of a disservice to a lineup full of headliners, but a fitting potpourri of flavors for Clinton’s farewell.”

DC METRO THEATER ARTS
“No [George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic] concert would be complete without an opening act, and indie-funk-rock band Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf served that purpose well. The band’s set included several funk-rock tunes including DARE, a hit in Germany. Lead singer Miss Velvet provided a stunning, soulful cover of Summertime.”

HUFFINGTON POST
“All I can say is, ‘Yowza!’ Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf are cap-a-pie prodigiously talented. The melodies are phenomenal, the rhythms are combustible and Miss Velvet’s voice contradicts the nonexistence of the phlogiston. BAD GET SOME and DARE blew me away.”

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
“Miss Velvet’s voice sounds perfectly fit for the stage….an era-defying character.”

BANDSINTOWN
“Miss Velvet’s performance was so multifaceted: unleashed, yet controlled. She evoked the rock ’n’ roll spirit of Janis Joplin, the whimsy of an Age of Aquarius gal, and the steadfast power vocals of Aretha Franklin.”

THE EXAMINER
“When she starts to sing and the tone is a perfect blend of Janis Joplin, Nina Simone and Lucinda Williams with a little Etta James thrown in.”

THE MOST DEFINITELY
“I was totally engaged throughout, mesmerized by her sound and her energy. Girl crush doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

CULT FACTORY
“Add the intensity of Janis Joplin, the softness of Etta James, and the performance swagger of Mick Jagger and then you have it — the eclectic persona that is Miss Velvet.”