3/1/2007

James Mann

Damn this is wicked!

The Soul of John Black, which is actually John "JB" Bigham (formerly of Fishbone), sets up shop somewhere between the blues and funk, with a side of soulful vocals ala the Right Reverend Al Green and enough sticky grooves to keep the crate diggers happy on his second release. Bigham's resume is varied --in addition to the years in Fishbone, he toured with and wrote songs for Miles Davis and has performed with a range of folks from Dr. Dre to Bruce Hornsby.

Somewhere along the way he developed a stone-cold sense of musical mood and timing and a guitar voice that gives this record a pronounced sizzle (Bigham plays all guitars and drums on the record). The entire affair carries a heavy "swamp rock" vibe, a welcome nod to the days of Tony Joe White and the pivotal "Polk Salad Annie." At times reminiscent of Taj Mahal, The Good Girl Blues is a welcome find, with its passionate vocals and sultry vibe (check out the smokin' "I Got Work"), and he manages to impart a bit of preaching along the way with "One Hit," which updates Brewer and Shipley's "One Toke Over The Line" --riff and all-- into the modern age.

For those of you who delight in the blues, groove to old-school soul or are simply tired of the crunk, check out the The Soul of John Black. This disc is badass.