Roots & Wings
Blind Pig, 2026
8/10
This first album from the guitar wizard Amani Burnham makes a sizable impression in a trio setting, where the 20 year old turns in some top notch blues rock.
The quick and energetic “Fastlane” opens with Burnham’s meticulous guitar amid the charged rhythm section, and “I Wanna Know” follows with a calmer approach, where Burnham’s warm guitar, soulful pipes and meticulous licks benefit from Ray Hangen’s thumping drums.
In the middle, “Bluejay” allows for Matt Raymond’s animated bass to shine alongside the scrappy drums and driving guitar, while “Sideways Thru Time” carries a bit of a jangle that mixes well with the gritty melodies which invite singing-along.
Further yet, “Some Sorta Love” showcases the dynamic chemistry between the trio, where Burnham fleshes out a precise solo, and “Bleeding Heart” exits with a heartfelt and intimate appeal that unfolds with power, precision and timelessness.
Burnham gained some online fame when he was 19, playing a Muddy Waters tune, and this first album will be sure to please any blues fan, where his right-hand thumb instead of a pick technique helps make every tune worth revisiting.
Travels well with: Altered Five Blues Band- Hammer & Chisel; Jovin Webb- Drifter