(...) This is indeed a jazz album, featuring the rhythm section (guitar / bass / drums) for many contemporary jazz artists – particularly those who play in older New Orleans related styles such as famed clarinetist Evan Christopher who supplies the informative sleeve notes to this set. Evan does note, however, that this small group works in a very funky fashion and with plenty of blues influence, and I certainly agree.
Whilst Saint James Infirmary and Duke Ellington’s The Mooche are most definitely jazz items, Hard Times occupies the middle ground between hard-edge jazz and the blues as the fames Night Train whilst It Ain’t My Fault is a fine funky outing as befits this Smokey Johnson R&B classic.
Australian guitarist David Blenkhorn goes for an almost Hawaiian sound on Girl Of My Dreams and keep the slide on the excellent though Elijah Rock with its hints of Howlin’ Wolf and Jimi Hendrix and, unlikely though it might seem (but not sound) Just A Closer Walk With Thee also hits a strong groove powered along by fellow Ozzie Sébastien Girardot on bass and French drummer Guillaume Noaux. Certainly a very interesting release.
Norman DARWEN – PIPE LINE
