Boulder, CO. based Sci-Fidelity was famous for their CD releases from String Cheese Incident. While String Cheese Incident broke up in 2008, another Sci Fidelity Records group, hailing from the Windy City, Umphrey’s McGee continues onward with their 2009 CD Mantis. Featuring a five piece lineup that seems to thrive on musical ESP, Umphrey’s draws on the spirit of forerunners such as String Cheese Incident and they really expand their own sound with Mantis, adding in lush layers of sound that fuse progressive rock with elements of pop, psychedelia and a headstrong dose of jam band side effects. Throughout the recording, the CD features the tasty electric guitar work from Jake Cinninger. If you’ve been reluctant to give them a listen for whatever reason, including their coming of age in the shadow of String Cheese Incident, Mantis will change your mind. In the spirit of the best SCI CD, 2003’s Untying the Not, and in the same spirit as Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, Mantis is Umphrey’s most detailed studio masterpiece yet. www.SciFidelity.com

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