Sonic Departures
VizzTone, 2020
8/10
A veteran blues musician from Canada who has a long list of accolades including a Juno Nomination, JW- Jones made the best of the pandemic isolation by putting much work into the aptly titled Sonic Departures.
Jones starts the album with the punchy landscape and bright horns of “Blue Jean Jacket”, and “Same Mistakes” continues with spirited guitar work in a more subdued setting of flowing blues rock where his wife, Brit, adds harmony.
Even though there’s just 9 tracks, each one radiates in its own light, including the playful, energetic reworking of “Bye Bye Love”, while “Snatchin’ It Back” moves swiftly and with plenty of melodic funk. ”It’s Obdacious”, the album’s best, then swings with loads of frisky fun that will get your body moving.
The album winds down with the soulful and dynamic approach of “The Things That I Used To Do”, and “When It All Comes Down” finishes off the listen with timeless blues delivered from one of the best to ever do it.
Although Sonic Departures was recorded before the pandemic, during lock down Jones re-recorded the vocals, added a guitar solo to a track, as well as bass and drum overdubs here and there. Considering the album features a 17 piece band and 13 piece horn section, it’s quite apparent that a lot of work went into what is easily the biggest production yet for Jones. It also just might just be his best work to date, which is saying a lot considering the magnitude of his catalog.
Travels well with: The Lucky Losers- Godless Land; Tony Holiday- Soul Service