It’s My Time
New Folk, 2025
9/10
The inimitable artist, Jimi ‘Prime Time’ Smith, is back with his first album in 15 years, though he’s stayed plenty busy working alongside the likes of Bob Corritore and Bernard Allison.
The 11 tracks opens with gritty blues spirit of “Don’t Let The Devil Ride”, where Toby Lee Marshall’s lively organ suits Smith’s fluid guitar and distinct pipes, and “Back On The Road” follows with a contagious energy via Allen "The Captain" Kirk’s frisky drums and animated melodies.
In the middle, “Moving On” benefits from John Wright’s playful bass amid the thumping drums, while “Your Love” is full of power and emotions thanks to the firm keys, dense guitar, expressive singing and Dave Foley’s well timed horns.
“Will It Ever End” arrives late and offers a timeless and meticulous version of blues-rock, and “Serious” exits with an intimate and romantic mood that allows for Trizha Eboni McDonald and Yolanda "Yo" Tharrington’s backing vocals to complement Smiths’ convincing delivery.
These songs poured out of Smith after a break up, and he proves all these years later that he still knows his way around a blues tune that you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Jimi “Primetime” Smith & Bob Corritore- The World In A Jug; Nolen Sellwood- Cadence To The Flame