New Moves
CZYZ, 2024
8/10
The brainchild of Marshall Chess, the interpretations of blues legends are fleshed out by an all star cast and includes songs picked out of the family’s vault.
“Boom Boom Out Go The Lights” starts the listen with Bernard Fowler’s gritty voice alongside Ralph Rosen’s fluid harps skills for the rhythmic opener, and “Moanin At Midnight” follows with a dense groove via Skip McDonald’s spirited guitar amid Keith LeBlanc’s lively drums.
“Tell Me” arrives in the middle, and benefits from Eric Gales’ meticulous electric guitar and Alan Glen’s lively blues harp, while “Mother Earth” showcases Mark Kaplan’s soulful tenor sax amid some funky gestures.
Arriving near the end, “Smokestack Lightning” recruits Paul Nowinski’s skilled acoustic bass that complements Fowler’s howling pipes, and “Help Me” exits with Reggie Griffin’s proficient keys and synth and Mohini Dey’s playful bass lines that suit the stylish finish.
A record of strong riffs and timeless blues sensibilities, Chess handpicked the band, and they truly do justice to these classic tunes that will appeal to blues fans far and wide.
Travels well with: Eric Gales- Crown; Jeff Rogers- Dream Job