If you like guitar music, you really should give this a try. There is so much great guitar pound for pound here. Not only do you get Jimmy McIntosh on guitar, but also Ronnie Wood, Ivan Neville, John Scofield and Mike Stern. This is a strong album, really. All the names are just the icing on the cake.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Slow Blues
Truth in advertising, this short instrumental is a slow blues number. It has some great slide guitar.
The Logue Still very much a blues tune, this is more uptempo. The arrangement is retro and soulful. There’s some funk in the mix here, too. I love the organ sound and the whole thing is just so cool.
Letsco There’s more of an exploratory fusion kind of vibe to this killer tune. It has a great retro sound and groove.
Ju Ju We’re back into more of a bluesy kind of jazz element here. This is slower, but no less tasty.
PM Blues This is a killer jazz romp. It’s like old school jazz, too. This isn’t a modern cut at all. It’s just vintage in texture and incredibly tasty. In fact, it’s one of my favorite pieces of the whole disc. I love the bass solo on this beast.
Sophisticated Lady A purely solo guitar performance, this intimate and intricate. It’s also appropriately sophisticated.
Lavona's Boogie With a lot of great piano, this boogie is loads of fun, really. There’s a bit of country or Southern rock element at play here.
I Gotta See There is a great jazz groove to this number. It’s a slower tune and the horn adds a lot to the mix. It is full of drama and passion.
Demon Here’s a slower jazz tune. It has some bluesy guitar work and some great melodies.
32 20 Blues A stripped down, slow moving blues, this is quite a tasty tune.
Back2cali A full on fusion jam, this is a real powerhouse. It makes me think of something Allan Holdsworth might do.
Fast Blues Again with the truth in advertising, this is a pacey blues jam. It’s a straight blues with some great guitar.