NO ESCAPE FROM THE BLUES: THE ELECTRIC LADY SESSIONS

Even if James Blood Ulmer music has its roots in Ornette Coleman free-jazz ( he played in Coleman's band) and free-funk , in XXI century he came as blues guitarist and singer.

This album (recorded in legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York) is real blues album. This time Ulmer took as material mostly blues standards from blues golden era. But don't worry - he is playing the blues in his own manner. Not deep and dirty, but more light and flat, mixing Hendrix sharpness of rock with some free-jazz guitar techniques.

Music in are very minimalistic, with vintage electric/acoustic guitar sound, coming from many decades ago. Vernon Reid plays second solo guitar and great pianist /keyboardist Leon Gruenbaum is a third soloist there. Rhythm section, violin, harmonica and superb female vocalist Queen Esther all add their best. Very authentic, a bit psychedelic atmosphere of this recording will catch many blues lovers.

It's difficult to valuate this work in a light of progressive rock: being good unorthodox blues album, it could attract many blues lovers, but hardly will be interesting for jazz-rock fusion lovers. But if you are open ear music fan - just try, may be you will find some new interest in music.

Just 3 there (will be 4 on the blues site)