Phenix Fire Records artist: Vanessa Collier - Heart On The Line - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart On The Line, from Vanessa Collier, and it's quite good. Opening with James Brown's, Super Bad Collier is off to a strong start morphing a quick tempo driver into a slow, funky instant hit. This track has it all with movement, great vocal, a great bottom, and saxy solo by Collier. Backed by Nick Stevens on drums, Scott Sutherland on bass, Laura Chavez on guitar, William Gorman on keys, Quinn Carson on Trombone, Doug Woolverton on trumpet, this track is hot! With a delta feel on Bloodhound, Chavez lays down a cool slide riff and Colliers vocals really take over. With CC Ellis on bass and Stevens on drums, this track has oomph. Randy Newman's You Can Leave Your Hat On gets a really nice rework with plenty of spunk. I really like the horn work on this one pushing it along and Chavez's guitar solo just just right in the groove. Excellent! Original track, Weep and Moan has a really great feel with a slower tempo, tasty guitar trem and solo work by Chavez and Carson, Woolverton and Colliers working the horns under death defying vocals. Very nice! Funky, Who's In Power really pours on the horn sauce with Colliers working up the band with choice vocal and sax work over a pumped bass line by Ellis. Hot! Wrapping the release is the most pop oriented track on the release, Heart On The Line, with Cornell Williams really working the bass line, punchy horn work by Carson and Woolverton and great vocal work, revival style by Colliers. Excellent closer for her best release yet.

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Tony O. - Blues O' Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues O' Blues, from Tony O. and it's solid old school electric blues. Opening with You Upset Me Baby, Tony O, who has played with a who's wo of blues greats including Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Rogers, Victoria Spivey, and James Cotton (to name a few) is upfront on vocal and guitar and his playing style, quite reminiscent of BB King keeps you bopping with super backing by The Uptown Horns. On rolling blues number, So Excited, Tony takes an extended intro and a driving bass line and great horn support to Tony's solid guitar lead. Very cool. One of my favorites on the release, My Love Strikes Like Lightning, has strong tempo, punchy horns and really tasty lead guitar phrasing. Jimmy Rogers', You're So Sweet, is up next and Tony leads with solid harmonica and vocal. Excellent piano and snappy drum and bass work give this track real zing. R&B style track, It's Just A Matter Of Time, is a real showcase for the tasteful guitar work of Tony with excellent sense of style. Very nice! Wrapping the release is fast boogie, Just Drive, with Tony playing both guitar and harmonica solos. This is a cool closer for a strong release.

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Delmark Records artist: Johnny Iquana's : Chicago Spectacular! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release from Johnny Iguana, Chicago Spectacular! and it's a cool mix of styles and packed with blues notables. Opening with Roosevelt Sykes' 44 Blues, featuring John Primer, Bob Margolin and Michael Caskey, Iguana does a great job on keys and Primer's lead vocals are super. On Willie Dixon's Down In The Bottom ,Primer has the mic again and with cool guitar lead and with Michael Caskey on drums another cool entry. Gil Scott- Heron's Lady Day and John Coltrane has a cool, laid back jazzy feel and features Phillip-Michael Scales on lead vocal and guitar. Iguana really rocks the piano on this one with simple rhythms by Caskey. Lil' Ed guests on Burning Fire with flaming lead guitar and vocal. Rolling piano work by Iguana and solid drum work by Kenny Smith makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lil' Ed is back on Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker and Ed knows how to make that slide talk. Very cool. Sonny Boy Williamson's Stop Breakin' Down slides in nicely with Matthew Skoller on harmonica and lead vocal and Billy Flynn on lead guitar. Closing the release is Big Bill Broonzy's Hot Dog Mama with lead vocals by Billy Boy Arnold and lead guitar by Billy Flynn. Iguana did a really nice job putting htis set together and his piano work throughout is strong. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: John Nemeth - Stronger Than Strong - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stronger Than Strong, from John Nemeth and it's tasty. Opening with Chicago bluesy, Come On And Take It, with Nemeth on vocal and harmonica, Danny Banks on drums, Matthew Wilson on bass and Jon Hay on guitar. With it's tight rhythm and classic styling, it's a solid opener.  With darker overtones and Nemeth's soulful vocals, Sometimes is a strong player that is a great showcase for Nemeth's vocal strength and harmonica reinforcement. Throw Me In The Water is a great rocker with a rockin beat and a moving bass line by Wilson, potent vocals by Nemeth and some flashy guitar work by Hay on guitar. Very nice. I really like Chain Breaker with it's blues vamp driven by Wilson and plenty of room for Nemeth and Hay to cruise. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Work For Love with it's infectious bass line and Nemeth's soulful vocals. Adding a little bounce to a classic blues pattern, Nemeth crafts a real nice track here with extended harmonica soloing and a bit of hot guitar work by Hay. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Sweep The Shack, a hot paced R&B track with nicely harmonized vocals and bluesy, Texas style guitar riffs. This is a solid closer for another super release from Nemeth. 

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Valcour Records artist: Johnny Nicholas - Mistaken Identity - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mistaken Identity, by Johnny Nicholas and I really like it. With it's kooky lyrics, blues overtones and country western flavor, it's packing. Opening with, She Stole My Mojo, Johnny Nicholas on vocal, guitars, piano, and harmonica tells a wild tale with a loose riff, joined by Scrappy Jud Newcomb on guitars and vocals, John Chipman on drums, percussion and vocals and Chris Maresh on bass and vocals. This is a wacky track but a memorable one. Nice opener. With it's country strut, Mule and the Devil is a cool track with Newcomb on mandolin and the addition of Chris Stafford on organ. With a funky New Orleans feel, title track, Mistaken Identity is not only a clever story but has nicely blended backing vocals and cool Clavinet work by Eric Adcock. Tight Pants is a super rocker with a high octane rhythm. With it's rock n roll feel and free wheelin' vocals, it's hard not to bop. One of my favorite tracks on the release is She Didn't Think Of Me That Way with it's Tex-Mex feel and soulful guitar lead, featuring Max Baca on Bajo Sexto and Josh Baca on accordion. Excellent! Another cool rocker is Highway 190 with it's laid back rockabilly feel. Nicholas lays down a cool piano solo and some cool guitar riffs but it's his vocals that carry the tune. Very cool. Wrapping the release is River Runs Deep, a ballad that blends all of the music on the release into one. With solid vocals, a strong melody and warm organ under the melodic guitar lead, this is an excellent closer. 

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Reference Recordings artist: Doug MacLeod - Brand New Eyes - New Release Review

 

I just  had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brand New Eyes, from Doug MacLeod and it's super. This release on Reference Recordings, Fresh label captures MacLeod alone on acoustic guitar and resonator in a pristine setting. Opening with title track, Brand New Eyes, MacLeod uses his vocal and finger picking pace to stimulate the track and a foot tap to stabilize the pace. Easing into a John Lee Hooker like trance with resonator and a solid foot stomp, MacLeod really captures the feel of Delta Blues on Something Dark Is Walking. An obvious student of the old masters, this track is spot on. With a traditional rag style and strong finger picking, Zu-Zu Woman is a terrific track and one of my favorites on the release. With raw emotion, I Rolled A Nickel feels delta authentic with the jangle of the resonator and slide, foot stomp and wailing like vocal. Very nice. Story telling country blues, The Nature of the Man has a great tempo and solid vocals making it the most radio friendly track. Wrapping the release is Welcome In Your Home with it's contemporary, folk blues feel. MacLeod maintains a strong pace and his energy is vibrant.

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Blue Heart Records artist: Malaya Blue - Still - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still, from Malaya Blue and it's a solid release with plenty of soul. Opening with title track, Still, UK singer/songwriter, Malaya Blue is joined by Nat Martin on guitar, Stevie Watts on keys, Mike Horne on drums and Eddie Masters on bass. Really nice vocal phrasing and a solid melody makes this a strong opener. With a funky beat and and some cool organ work, Down To The Bone has a great groove and Martin's guitar soloing is really tasty. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Why Is Peace So Hard with it's gospel overtones. Malaya really works this track and the organ work on Watts drives it home. Excellent! R&B track, You Kiss My Troubles Away has a great beat and with it's rhythmic vocal delivery, a solid radio presence. Another of my favorite tracks is jazzy R&B track, Settle Down Easy with a strong bass line from Masters and a solid vocal delivery by Malaya. Wrapping the release is rocker, Hot Love, with it's grinding guitar tones and driving rhythms. Blue has put together a solid release here. 

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Whitaker Blues Records artist: The Barrett Anderson Band - HypnoBoogie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, HypnoBoogie, by The Barrett Anderson Band and it is a super live release. Anderson, who started his professional career at 15 backing Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin before joining Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters at 16. After a few years with Earl and another hand full with Monster Mike Welch, Barrett released his first solo release, All The Way Down in 2007 and another, The Long Fall in 2012. This latest release, HypnoBoogie, was recorded live at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Mass on February 1, of 2020. Opening with Bo Diddley's, Mona, this band shows you immediately that no one in the crowd is gonna remain seated. with tom tom's flaring courtesy of Doug MacLeod and thumping bass and harmony vocal by Jamie Hatch, Anderson gets things cranking on his guitar and with energetic lead vocal. On Magic Sam's, Lookin' Good, Anderson's driving guitar vamp, pushed by MacLeod and Hatch drives the energy even higher on this blues rocking instrumental. Whipping out the slide for Son House's classic, Grinnin' In Your Face, Charlie Mallet adds a fat round tone, supplemented nicely by hard working toms by Macleod and nicely blended vocals by Anderson and Emily Anderson. I like the wailing slide tone that Mallet lays down on Blind Faith, an ethereal instrumental with a lot of atmosphere. Springing back with Broken Down with the energy of a Hill Country Blues track, Anderson gets things ramping up working his own guitar nicely with Mallet and the driving snare and cymbal combination of MacLeod and adding in a cool bass solo by Hatch. Wrapping the release is a rowdy version of J Geils' own, House Party. Seems obvious, but this is a perfect track to wrap a live concert with it's driving rhythm, well known lyrics, and the super opportunity to rock out. very cool. 

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Blind Fiction - Overlook - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Overlook, from Blind Fiction and it's a cool, blues based rocker. Opening with Better Man, an upbeat, country flavored rocker with a contemporary beat, Tim Wright on lead guitar and vocal, Eric Madunic on bass, keys and backing vocals and Nick Lang on drums set a good pace. Joined by Eric Schoor on sax and Andrew Riehle on trumpet, a solid opener. I really like rocker, Deal With You Later with it's harmonized lead vocals, fanned blues chords and romping bass line. Wright gets loose on this one showing his excellent chops. Mean Old Jack maintains a rock stance but with firm blues footing, and slick slide guitar by Wright. With broad radio styling, Waiting On A Tragedy, utilizes harmony vocals, a strong guitar riff and nice additional keyboard work by Joe Howard, to create the perfect hit combination. Closing the release is You Never Know, with it's basic R&B feel but with a cool hitch rhythm giving it a more contemporary feel. I really like Wright's vocal on this one and his guitar work is understated but very effective. The addition of Schoor's sax solo, Jamie Breiwick's trumpet solo and Tim Preuss on bass gives this track a cool jazz edge. Very nice closer. 

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Kirk Fletcher - My Blues Pathway - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Blues Pathway, from Kirk Fletcher and it's great. Opening with blues rocker, Ain't No Cure For The Downhearted, Kirk Fletcher opens his newest release with a smooth rolling track. Joined by Travis Carlton on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, Jeff Babko on keys, Joe Sublett on sax and Mark Pender on trumpet, Fletchers vocals are crisp and his guitar riffs fluid. Ballad, Love Is More Than A Word, gives Fletcher a nice chance to play and sing in the soul vein. Reinforced on organ by Babko, and with nice horn work, this is a real nice track also giving Fletcher to scream a bit on guitar. Very nice! In the vein of A Thrill Is Gone, funky, Struggle For Grace is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Fletcher's vocals are perfect and his guitar work fluid and gripping. Switching gear into a rolling blues with a organ vamp by Babko and really strong soloing by Fletcher, this is a great change up. Slow blues, Heart So Heavy is another favorite on the release with well phrased lead lines and excellent vocals. Sublett and Trumpet really add nice punctuation but it's Fletcher's attack and BB King like phrasing on the guitar that gives this track drive. Instrumental, D Is For Denny is a cool shuffle with a slick low, mid fretboard melody. This track is almost like a Freddie King design but not exactly. Fletcher takes you for a nice ride with tight drums by David Kida and solid horn support by Sublett and Pender. Wrapping the release is delta style blues, Life Gave Me A Dirty Deal, featuring Fletcher on acoustic guitar and lead vocal and  Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and joined by Josh Smith on National Resephonic Guitar. With solid bones and tight, authentic feel, this is a nice closer for a really strong release. 

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Peter Parcek - Mississippi Suitcase - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Suitcase, from Peter Parcek and it may be his best yet. Opening with The World Is Upside Down, Peter Parcek opens his grittiest and rockinist release, with a driving rhythm and blazing guitar. With a rock modified blues track, Parcek has lead vocal and guitar, backed by Tim Carman on drums, Tom West on keys, and Marc Hickox on bass. Really solid.  With it's march style snare drum rhythm, Everybody Oughta Make A Change has a cool, relaxed blues feel. Parcek's vocals and lead guitar seem to float over the tight drum pattern giving the track a different kind of feel. Very nice. Bob Dylan's, Beyond Here Lies Nothing, has an interesting, easy Latin feel, reminding me of early Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Blues band with nice slide work and phrasing by Parcek. Followed by The Supernatural, a strong Peter Green composition, Parcek really works the fretboard over with a strong guitar lead composition. Excellent! Mississippi Suitcase, (Slight Return) is a super blues rocker with formidable guitar riffs, a cool organ solo by West, a strong bass line and snappy drums. Parcek's vocals are meaty and the track has guts. Very nice. Slower blues shuffle, Until My Love Come Down, has a real nice pace with soulful organ work by West and with a nice guitar guitar exchange between Parcek and Ted Drozdowski. She Likes To Boogie Real Slow has a cool loping rhythm and Parcek and West trade riffs making the track a real head bobber. Wrapping the release is an interesting instrumental, A Head Full of Ghosts, which I really like. With Carman on drums, primarily on tom toms, a nice stream of keys by West, Hickox on bass and beautifully articulated lead guitar by Parcek, the release leaves you wanting more. Very nice. 

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Stony Plain Records artists: New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Volume 1, from New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers and it's great stuff. Opening with Blues, Why You Worry Me features Charlie Musselwhite on lead vocal  and harmonica. A strong Chicago style shuffle, also includes Alvin Youngblood Hart and Jimbo Mathus on guitars, Jim Dickinson on piano, Luther Dickinson on guitars, mandolin, Cody Dickinson on drums, Chris Chew on bass and Paul Taylor on tub bass. Super opener. Charlie Patton's Pony Blues is a super follow up with it's Hill Country styling and Hart on lead vocal. It's no secret that Mathus is one of my favorite contemporary musicians with his quirky style and super grooves (not to mention his solid country sound). Night Time features Mathus on lead vocal and one of his infectious, funky grooves, driven by Chews' bass line and strong harmonica work from Musselwhite. Very cool. One of those cool party rags, Come On Down To My House, features the late Jim Dickinson on piano and lead vocal, joined by a really comfortable weaving of the entire group on vocal and acoustic instruments. Super country blues stew. Mathus is back at the mic on Shake It and Break It, a cool rag with the classic rag styling of random instrumental blending, stagger drumming and high riding harmonica by Musselwhite. Wrapping the release is the Mississippi Sheiks' Stop and Listen Blues featuring Dickinson on mandolin, Mathus on guitar and Hart on guitar and lead vocal. This is a strong closer for a really cool release.

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Stony Plain Records artist: Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Rise Up - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rise Up, from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters and it's smokin! Opening with a simple, acoustic guitar cover of traditional I Shall Not Be Moved, gives you no clues that Earl is about to open a can of Whoop on us. Shuffle, Higher Love, with a solid intro by Earl and Dave Kimina on B3 gives the stage over to super blues vocalist, Diane Blue and she fits like a glove. Settling down into a super groove laid out by Kimina on B3, Forrest Padgett on drums, Paul Kochanski on bass and Peter Ward on guitar, Earl really steps up with some of his beautiful blues phrasing. Fenton Robinson's R&B track, You Don't Know What Love Is is a super platform for Blue and Earl. Blue's vocals are perfectly suited for this style of music and her feel and sense of timing are super. Blues For Lucky Peterson is the first of a number of slow blues tracks where Earl really stretches it out. Busting out at over 10 minutes, you get enough powerful, guitar emotion on this one track to warrant the cost of admission, and there's more to come. Excellent! One of my favorite tracks on the release is Lil Green's, In The Dark which not only brings out the best in Blues' soulful vocal style, but also plays nicely to Earls own guitar strength. Very nice. Soulful gospel track, Lord Protect My Child, is really strong with powerful vocals by Blue that sometimes remind me of the Queen of Soul and excellent B3 work by Limina, reinforcing that gospel flavor. Very nice. Talking To Mr. Bromberg is another excellent slow blues giving Earl an excellent opportunity to show that extraordinary guitar phrasing that he is known for. The tension is thick. Blues For J is an excellent shuffle that gives Limina a nice bit of time center stage. Wrapping the release is Navajo Blues, the last of the slow blues instrumentals on the release. Earl continues to put out terrific releases with deep blue guitar emotion. Excellent. 

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Big Bear Records artist: Chick Willis - Things I Used To Do - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Things I Used To Do, from Chick Willis and it's solid gold blues. Recorded in August of 1997, this release is a long time coming. Opening with shuffle, Lou's Place, Chick Willis is upfront standing tall on lead vocal and guitar. This is super blues from some of the best days with Tony Ashton on piano, Roger Innis on bass and Sticky Wicket on drums. Excellent opener. Slow blues, Come Back Home, is a strong entry for top track on the release with some of Willis' best vocals and a cool guitar exchange with Ashton's Hammond. Very nice. Remake of Guitar Slims' The Things I Used To Do has a real nice feel with stinging riffs and soulful vocals. R&B track, What You Got On Me, has great rhythmic feel and tight guitar riffs supporting the solid vocals of Willis. Another of my favorite tracks on the release is One Eyed Woman. Tension between Willis' vocals and Ashton's organ are great and Willis' guitar articulation is spot on. Excellent! Willis' Tin Pan Alley has excellent guitar flair and Willis' vocal performance is great! Lavelle White's up tempo, Voodoo Woman, has a great rhythm and Willis really plays his guitar hand nicely. He really gets it moving on this one with solid bass lines by Innis and his own slashing guitar soloing. Wrapping the release is a relaxed, Doin' The Yang thing featuring Ashton taking the lead with a full boat piano melody over a basic rhythm by Innis and Wicket. Solid closer for a fun release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Andy Watts - Supergroove - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Supergroove, from guitarist Andy Watts, Israel's Ambassador of the Blues and it's solid and features appearances by Joe Louis Walker and Eliza Neals. Opening with title track, Supergroove, Watts leads the instrumental on guitar, backed by Eyal Klein on keys, Ioram Linker on sax, Gregory Rivkin on trumpet, Llan Hillel on bass and Top Bollig on drums. Linker's solo on bari really sets the track apart, moving real air. Roy Young has the mic on Rick Estrin's shuffle, Living Hand To Mouth featuring Coastin Hank on harmonica and crisp guitar soloing by Watts. My favorite track on the release is slow burner, Burning Deep, featuring Joe Louis Walker on lead vocal and some real nice guitar work by Watts. Walker really digs in and Watts matches him step for step. Very nice. Young is back up front on funky, Pack It Up with it's contagious groove. Watts hangs nicely in the pocket accenting the track with punctual riffs. Very nice.  Eliza Neals is featured on lead vocals on Blues Of The Month Club and takes the wheel, pairing nicely with Watts' firey guitar soloing and snappy drum riffs of Bollig. Wrapping the release is Peter Green's Super Natural (The Supernatural), a cool laid back, Latin fused instrumental with lush guitar work and nice trumpet work by Rivkin and a wark key solo by Klein. Nice closer for a solid release. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Lloyd Jones - Tennessee Run - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tennessee Run, from Lloyd Jones and its a cool blend of blues, R&B, funk and pop giving it a bright, energetic feel. Opening with hard driving R&B track, You Got Me Good, Jones on lead vocal and guitar really has the place hopping. Backed by Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Mackey on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Jim Hoke on sax, Quentin Ware on trumpet and Roy Agee on trombone this is a strong opener. Rock n roller, I Wish I Could Remember Loving You, has a great rhythm guitar pace with Jones paired with Teresa James on lead vocal and McKendree's piano work is outstanding. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky swamp track, Bayou Boys with McKendree on organ and cool horn interplay by Hoke, Ware, Agee and with Richard Metz on percussion. Very cool. Hoke lays in a really nice bari solo on another funky swamp track, That's All I Want which also features LaRhonda Steele on vocal. Dilly Dally has a Taj Mahal like, laid back bluesy island feel. With wah wah guitar and funky organ, it just makes you feel good. Wrapping the release is Chevrolet Angel, a funky, bluesy strut. I  like Jones' cocky vocal styling on this one with nice backing vocal by Etta Britt and Jackie Wilson and funky lead guitar by Jones, chased by the horn work of Hoke, Ware, and Agee. A fine closer for a fun release. 

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Bible & Tire Recording Co. : The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Record Story, Volume 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Last Shall Be First: The JCR Record Story, Volume 1 and it's powerful. Opening with The Calvary Nightingales performing Keep On Pushing this release is off to a terrific start. Using that basic southern soul platform with a strong front male lead vocalist, solid backing vocals, and rhythm guitar, this track will have you groovin. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Father, Guide Me, by The Pilgrimairs and it's rolling "James Brown" feel. Excellent! The Johnson Sisters has another great contribution in You Can't Hurry God with it's driving beat and thick powerful lead and full backing vocals over organ and drums. Just Over The Hill is another potent soul track from The Spiritual Harmonizers. Opening in 3/4 time the track is squeezed for every drop of soul. Then switching to 4/4, the track is rocking. Very cool. The Seven Souls deliver I Want To Move A Little Higher a great track with firm harmony singing. You just can't beat the combination of soul and gospel. Very nice. Bluesy, What A Meeting by The Vigil Lights of Holly Springs is certainly one of my favorites on the release with super vocal work, a firm bass line and tight drums and piano. Excellent! Another powerful blues influenced track, Sitting Down, by The Stars of Faith will really get you moving with it's rolling rhythm guitar riff and tight drum beat under stirring vocal lead and backing vocals. Wrapping the release is an excellent gospel rocker, Sinner Man (What You Gonna Do) performed by The Bible Tones. The release has 17 tracks and they are all strong. This is the second Bible & Tire Recording Company release that I have had the privilege to review and they are both terrific. (I also love the name of the company by the way). These are recordings from the 70's and it's terrific that they are being brought forward for a new audience. These are must haves!

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