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"The lighthearted yet ambitious
sound of KT's Universal Love Band is a fusion of reggae and African
music with a bit of a punk spirit, while their lyrical content is
delivered in over a dozen languages, proving that good music cannot be
restrained by vernacular. Led by the dreadlocked wonder woman KT Rusch,
who navigates her bass guitar with careful love and affection, the
eclectic band transcends genres and pigeon holes, instead choosing to
produce music for the entire world." Shepherd
Express 2011
U-Love at The Hole: SINKHOLE Site Hosts
Concert WTMJ
Newsradio August 2010
"Bay View continues its
popular Chill on the Hill concert series tonight at the Humboldt Park
Bandshell with an especially up-tempo headliner: KT Rusch and the
Universal Love Band, a worldly, uplifting group that mixes reggae,
funk and Nigerian pop flavors, singing of peace and harmony while
drawing from a blend of Rastafarianism and Eastern mystic practices.
Their sunny sound makes them a logical fit for outdoor concerts like
this one." Shepherd
Express 2009
"How
do you define "universal love"? For Milwaukee veteran KT
Rusch it means a number of things. First off, it's the name of the
band in which she and her band mates mix various reggae and Nigerian
pop flavors. Judging from the lyrics, universal love is also the blend
of Rastafarianism and Eastern mystic practices propelling her calls
for freedom from the shackles of personal and political oppression.
Rusch's enthusiastic vocal attack provides a touch of authentic funk
as the group looks to spread peace and harmony."
Shepherd
Express 2008
"Spreading
Happiness and Joy with Every Beat" Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel September 2008
"Roots rhythms—that
I’ll guarantee will stick in your head long after you’ve listened to the
CD..." Nerve House Spring 2007
"kt's Universal Love brings audiences
dancing to their feet with their uplifting and inspiring roots rhythms. Their eclectic
blend of African, reggae and percussive music coupled with positive messages creates an
infectious blend of original world music with Heart and Soul."
Radio
Milwaukee 88.9
"Whether
its reggae rhythms, afro rhythms or punk rock -- all those influences come together on the
album. It kind of morphs as we start to play it and you can see all the different
influences and I think that's what makes it world music." Interview
with OnMilwaukee.com "Mali Blues w/ Universal Love Band @ Club Timbuktu - Two
of Milwaukee's most uplifting bands, both of which feature bassist, songwriter
and resident master of Malian music KT Rusch, share tonight's bill. Mali Blues plays
self-described "afro-desert blues - think Ali Farka Toure by way of Howlin'
Wolf. Universal Love Band, meanwhile, aims for a more eclectic reggae/world
sound." Shepherd
Express 11/2/2006 We
sponsored a Rally for Compassion: "Unrest
in Tibet Hits Home" Shepherd
Express April 2008 "Amity
with Tibetan monk sets woman on path to India to India Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel Story January 2008
"When she's not shuttling her kids to the typical activites of
suburban youth or volunteering to help troubled kids through Express Yourself Milwaukee,
Mequon's KT Rusch can be found laying down taut bass lines for two Afrocentric
bands. Rusch is the backbone in both Scorcher Family Reggae, a ragtag collective of
almost perfect diversity, and Mali Blues Group, a cast of African musicians that revolves
around Rusch and kamelon ngoni (an African harp-like instrument) virtuoso Tani
Diakite. Rusch's polished chops and positive vibes and absolute command of
the low end keeps her band on task. The mission: to dispense "music as
medicine," she says. No spoonful of sugar needed - it gets down just fine."
Milwaukee Magazine October 2006 - Best of Milwaukee Milwaukee Magazine October 2006 - Best of Milwaukee "Mali Blues Group: Live from Madison and Milwaukee - Imagine
that one of the intersections of Western African and Western rock music happens
right here in Wisconsin! Mali Blues Group brings together folks like Tani Diakite
who hails from Mali, a land-locked African nation bordering both Senegal and the Sahara
desert, and folks from Wisconsin like KT Rusch. Together they forge an interesting
sound that is tight and raucous like a good drum circle should be, yet explores the
interplay between traditional gourd and skin instruments like the djembe and the kamelon
ngoni and the electric bass. The combination may be more natural than it seems on
the surface, as most instrumentation we take for granted as 'rock' had its roots in the
traditions of African music. This live CD was recorded in both Madison and Milwaukee
and for live sound it is well miked and the sound quality is amazing. for a group
with "blues" in the title, I found the tracks to be bouncy, uplifting,
and even without being familiar with the language in the vocals, I felt like vocalizing
along with them." Nerve
House Fall 2006 "Art Changes Lives"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2006 Express Yourself
Milwaukee @ Milwaukee Juvenile Detention Center Universal
Love Band Interview with
OnMilwaukee.com by
Molly Synder Edler 6/2/2006 "Mali Blues
group featuring Tani Diakite and KT Rusch Club Timbuktu - Sure Malian Blues
Group's rootsy, danceable groove earns the Milwaukee band most of its accolades. but
the group...is also about producing good vibes..." Shepherd
Express November, 2005 University of
Wisconsin Post
Interview
with KT Rusch 12/2005 Wanna smile! Need a little positive reality! Check
out KT, Holly, Dena and friends' podcast of "One River"
from Club Timbuktu's Return to Africa Fundraiser November 2005 |
