This is Gary Clark Jr’s second full album release. He blends a traditional blues style with elements of R&B, soul, rock and modern urban sounds. Not only is he a great guitar player, Gary has an amazing soulful voice. A killer live performer as he breaths a whole new life into what are already exceptional tunes. At times it has that old school early 70’s soul vibe, and then in a blink of an eye we are in Delta blues territory.
The opening track, The Healing, is such a deep meaningful tune with a great groove. Grinder has a really laid back vibe, before Star takes me back to old soul records of old – as does Our Love. Church has a very gospel feel to it with some killer vocals and harmonies. As everybody of a certain age keeps mentioning “they don’t make albums like this anymore” – well actually, they do, as this album testifies to. It’s great when new and young musicians take references from the past and make them there own. The hip hop groves of Wings is a great tune. Can’t Sleep was the single that brought him into the eye of the mainstream – it is a great song.
If you were thinking about trying some Gary Clark this is a good place to start, and if we ever get back to live shows, then for sure go and see him.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
