It feels as though this is George’s 200th release…this year! He’s involved in so many projects as well as all his own stuff that it’s hard to keep track.
If you follow and read my warblings here, then you will know that I’m a big fan of The George and was super stoked to find out that this new solo record was coming out. The only thing that is wrong with my pressing is it’s a bit on the quiet side.
Superb opener with The Knowing, a very atmospheric tune with George laying down some very tasteful playing. Psycho Beta ups the tempo somewhat and this is a trademark George tune. It has a groove and feel that he comes back to a lot. I love the main melody line and there is some killer playing in this one. Tony Franklin guests on the album and his trademark slides are at the intro before the double kicks start pounding and a beast of an uptempo groove takes over, George is really ripping on this one.
A super fun tune follows with Borracho Boogie Deluxe. It does what it says on the tin basically, with George showing some of his slide skills. Shadow Of The Needle is a cool tune as George is exploring with different tones and sounds without forsaking the groove. A very cool blues groove is up next with The Wolf. Lots of weird swell effects mixed in with some killer playing, and I’m saying this is my favourite tune on the record. The blues is carried over to Serpentarium but the groove and tone is way dirtier but it’s all about the guy with the six strings. The Ritual is up next and the initial riff and groove are heavy funk. Love the vibe to this one, he seems to be using First Nation grooves and vibes. The album closes out with Contraflow, a very cool laid back fusion groove with some superb playing and tones.
So there we go, another highly enjoyable solo romp from The George.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
