Robin Trower, Maxi Priest, Livingstone Brown
When three legendary artists come together to create a sound all their own, it doesn’t always work out the way it does on United State Of Mind by
Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown released October 9,
2020 on Manhaton Records. A trio of musicians you might not necessarily
put together, they blend their unique sounds to create an album of
singular beauty.
Song “United State of Mind”
The Black Moods
The Black Moods play raw, amplified rock and roll with a modern update
of a timeless sound. They breathe a blast of fresh air into electric
guitars, anthemic hooks and percussive stomp. A power trio made up of
frontman/guitarist Josh Kennedy, drummer Chico Diaz and bassist Jordan
Hoffman that makes great, crunching rock music with excellent lyrics.
Their new album Sunshine is respectful of the past and plugged
into the present. The Black Moods built their audience the old fashioned
way—by hitting the road, touring heavily and promoting their albums.
Song “Sunshine”
Artur Menezes
Brazilian blues/rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Artur Menezes impresses on every level on his new record Fading Away,
a super-hot eight-song set that blends blues with psychedelic rock,
funk and Brazilian rhythms. Produced by Josh Smith, the album features
guest appearances by Smith as well as Joe Bonamassa. A superb guitar
player and strong singer/songwriter, Menezes combines vintage influences
with his own contemporary style. Winner of the Gibson/Albert King Award
for Best Guitarist, even if this song doesn’t resonate, check out his
other musical offerings.
Song “Northeast”
Jeremiah Johnson
Talented blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Jeremiah Johnson
released two albums this year, and this one is in response to the
pandemic. One of the hottest prospects on the blues scene over the last
decade, Mississippi native Johnson knows a thing or two about hard work.
By all accounts, Johnson has come up the hard way, day-jobbing as a
billboard laborer while recording and self-releasing some mighty fine
blues records. With rocking swagger, Johnson turns up the heat on the
record with his power trio.
Song “Unemployed Highly Annoyed”
The Immediate Family
The Immediate Family put their superb rock and roll spin on their new EP, Slippin’ and Slidin’
out October 16, 2020. The Immediate Family is made up of legendary
musicians Danny Kortchmar (guitar, vocals), Waddy Wachtel (guitar,
vocals), Leland Sklar (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums) and Steve Postell
(guitar, vocals.) The Immediate Family is the epitome of cool. They’ve
played together for decades, their chemistry undeniable, their talents
limitless. The term “supergroup” has been loosely bandied about for
years, but it definitely applies here. There is true excellence not just
in the musicianship on Slippin’ and Slidin’ but in the poetic songwriting as well.
Song “Cruel Twist”
Sam Morrow
Gettin’ By On Gettin’ Down by Sam Morrow is a blast of fresh
air, fuel for your pandemic-weary soul. Produced by award-winning
producer and president/label owner Eric Corne, the record is funky
country rock with a modern feel. Outstanding vocalist, songwriter and
guitarist Sam Morrow has a serious feel for groove that’s inherent in
each of the nine songs. With slinky slide guitars and super-tight
drumming and bass, this album is a musical feast. Morrow is a compelling
artist with a unique sound, backed by top-tier musicians who have a
tight grip on rhythm.
Song “Golden Venus”
Cary Morin
Cary Morin’s “Prisoner” opens with some of the finger-style guitar-work
for which Morin has become famous. Morin makes his instrument sing, moan
and talk, like the great Robert Johnson with a personality all its own.
Soulful, rich vocals abound on his new album, Dockside Saints. Behind Morin’s magic, the band kicks up a slow and colorful blues jam.
Song “Prisoner”
Kevin Burt
Guitarist, harp player, songwriter, and vocalist Kevin Burt comes
straight out of Iowa with a load of blues power on his new release Stone Crazy. Produced
by Mike Zito, the set features ten soul-infused blues songs that
showcase all of Burt’s considerable talents, especially his powerfully
expressive voice, which easily goes from a smooth-and-sweet seduction
mode to a commanding growl in a hot second. Burt’s vibe is influenced by
Aaron Neville, Bill Withers, and B.B. King. What a voice.
Song “Ain’t Got No Problem With It”
Hurricane Ruth
The great Willie Dixon once told Ruth “You’re the only hurricane I can
appreciate.” Ruth LaMaster has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B.
King, Willie Dixon, Taj Mahal, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Kenny Wayne Shepherd,
Royal Southern Brotherhood, and more. Her vocals are deeply rooted in
the blues but she also rocks the house. Hurricane Ruth gives it
everything she’s got on her new album Good Life, a smoking-hot
set that adds up to another huge blast of the deeply soulful two-fisted
blues. Backed up by an ultra-powerful band made up of Scott Holt
(guitar), Bruce Katz (Hammond B-3, keyboards), Calvin Johnson (bass), and Tony Braunagel (drums), Ruth comes on strong and delivers a performance that would blow the roof off of any roadhouse in the world.
Song “Dirty Blues”
Oz Noy
Contemporary funk/fusion/jazz guitar master Oz Noy presents another batch of his iconoclastic musical style on his new album Snapdragon. Born
in Israel, Noy began playing professionally at just 13 years old doing
jazz, blues, rock, and pop. Since moving to New York City in 1996, Oz
has made a huge impact on the local and international music scene. He’s
broken all the rules of instrumental guitar music by focusing on the
groove. Oz has toured with just about everyone so no list of names is
needed.
Song “Just Groove Me”
Bette Smith
Fierce rock and soul vocalist Bette Smith puts down a big sound on her new record The Good, The Bad & The Bette.
Produced by Drive-By Trucker Matt Patton and engineer/drummer Bronson
Tew, the album features Smith infusing gospel and soul into rock and
roll, with guests including Luther Dickinson and fellow DBT member
Patterson Hood. The set is proof positive that an old school mix of soul
and rock music never goes out of style and that Smith has every bit of
the power displayed by past masters up to and including Aretha Franklin.
Smith is a wildly emotive singer with a fearless swagger that permeates
everything she does.
Song “Fistful of Dollars”
The Michael Mills Band
The Michael Mills Band stirs up blues/rock fire on their new album,
Stand Up. With tasty guitar riffs along with strong, expressive vocals
and a tight band, these blues rockers hail from Huntington Beach, CA,
and have been lighting up the club scene up and down the California
Coast, plus a standing gig at The House of Blues. From blues-funky to
straight up blues/rock, this is the band to watch.
Song “I Know”
Gráinne Duffy
You might not have heard of her, but Ireland’s own Gráinne Duffy is an emerging blues star on her new album Voodoo Blues.
One of the most notable blues guitarists, vocalists, and songwriters
rising to prominence in the European scene, Duffy’s sound is a mix of
blues, rock, roots music, and soul blended with Duffy’s own Irish/Celtic
style. It’s a swampy, sensual, heartfelt, and spellbinding experience
focused on Duffy’s powerful, heart-shredding voice and highly melodic
guitar work.
Song “Voodoo Blues”
Eric Johanson
A growing force in the blues and roots/rock scene, Johanson’s music is
distinct—it’s moody, sometimes haunting and dark, blessed with groove.
Visual storytelling, mind- blowing guitar, and soulful, strong vocals
abound on Below Sea Level. Whatever transpired in that studio
with this artist’s songs and musical talents, Cody Dickinson on drums,
Terrence Grayson on bass (Victor Wainwright) and Luther Dickinson’s
production, summoned some kind of magic. For Below Sea Level, Eric teamed up with Luther and Cody Dickinson and recorded the album. A better match could not have been made.
Song “Dose of Forget”
Magnolia Bayou
Mississippi blues swamp rockers Magnolia Bayou’s sound is reminiscent of
the golden age of rock n’ roll, flavored with heavy southern swagger
that’s distinctly theirs. A soulful, distinctive vocalist and tight
band, Magnolia Bayou’s new album, Strange Place is steeped in the
group’s origins, tapping into elements of southern, psychedelic, funk,
and blues-based rock and roll that the group has reinvented and bent to
their will.
Song “Tupelo”
