Crossing over from blues to blues rock, soul, and with some R & B thrown in is completely natural for any well rounded musician.
In fact a lot of the artists I listen to on a regular basis do exactly that.
Here are four new CANADIAN releases and earlier in the year albums that show off a unique evolution.
JW-JONES-Sonic Departures-Starting out with Blue Jean Jacket originally from 2014’s Belmont Boulevard Jones adds not just the horn section but an astounding outro guitar solo that raises the hair on your neck.
Elsewhere another standout Ain’t Gonna Beg a re-do from Seventh Hour 2012 and Drowning On Dry Land a funky blast by JW and his killer big horns ups the ante on both the OV Wright and Albert King versions.
BIG Sound and exciting….Swing on over and check this out.
Ben Racine Band-Live A Montreal-First off the orginal songs on this live album written by Racine are standouts.
Songs like Contagious, the funky and killer dynamics on One of a Kind and the swing of Southbound Girl are infectious and downright natural.
My oh my this band is HOT
You have to smile when you hear The Pleasure’s All Mine and the great vocal on Cuttin’ In.
Fine job on the recording by Nicky Estor.
The real thing? THIS IS IT!
Wide Mouth Mason-I Wanna Go With You-Writing a new original blues song may sound easy but of course think again.
But the radio ready Every Red Light, and Anywhere are sure bets for WMM.
Also check out the slinky Stay For A Couple More and the slide wallop of Erase Any Trace.
NICE
Shaun Verreault and Safwan Javed create something familiar but also unique while offering us new blues roots music.
I love it.
Angel Forrest-Hell Bent With Grace-You may thought you heard everything from Forrest.
Wrong!
This studio album shines.
The acoustic shimmering Bea, the walk on power of Get It On and the great lyrics all over the album including the excellent Blame Game are very impressive.
Looking Glass and Ain’t No Doubt rock under the killer riffs from guitarist Ricky Paquette.
Grace may be the best song Forrest has written. WOW
Songwriting by Coulombe, Forrest and Paquette is sharp and on point.
You can feel the emotion in this album..BRAVO
JOHN EMMS is a veteran music journalist, Post Media contributor and musician
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