Graduated.
Canadian Johnny Max is the singer of a five piece blues band, but also the deejay of a rootsy radio show. That may explain the eleven versatile compositions, which were mostly written by him and keyboardist Martin Aucoin.
They play traditional Chicago blues as good as the title track’s soul blues and funky New Orleans-shuffles just as authentically as Write Your Name, the piano ballad inspired by Ray Charles. Apart from that they also cover songs by Don Covay and King/Clark.
Aucoin and guitar player Teddy Leonard only play short solos over the firmly grooving rhythms of drummer Duncan McBain and bass player Garth Vogan. That way Max’ vocals determine the well-structured songs. He has a strong, masculine sound, as so often with blues, but manages to let the emotion of the songs have the upper hand. It results in a recommended record that makes you eager to get to know the three earlier CDs.
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Published on www.popmagazineheaven.nl together with Dutch roots music magazine Heaven no. 52, January-February 2008/no. 1