With Love
Ruf, 2025
9/10
The veteran Michigan artist Mitch Ryder has penned 21 albums now, and this forthright and highly personal effort presents 10 originals that welcome plenty of friends.
Luis Resto’s warm keys open with “Lilli May”, where Ryder’s soulful voice guides the timeless blues rock that uses Dave McMurray’s sax bouts superbly, and “Pass It To The Right” follows with McMurray’s bright flute and Jeff Canady’s agile drumming that suits the gritty versus melodic gestures.
“Oh What A Night” and “Wrong Hands” land in the middle. The former recruits Latin-rock nods via Mahindi Masai’s animated percussion and Ryder’s raw pipes, while the latter allows for Brian ‘Roscoe’ White and Laura Chavez’s flowing guitar to complement the flowing singing of the album’s best.
Arriving near the end, “The Artist” is an intimate moment populated by graceful keys and Ryder’s heartfelt voice, and “Just The Way It Is” exits steeped in R&B playfulness that enlists Herschel Boone and Terena Boone’s backing vocals amid Chuck Bartel’s meticulous bass.
A fantastic effort that balances tenderness with ruggedness, very few musicians have careers as lengthy and esteemed as Ryder’s, and when he says that this is one of his albums yet, well, you better believe him.
Travels well with: Alastair Greene- Standing Out Loud; Too Slim And The Taildraggers- Brace Yourself