The Holmes Brothers have been gracing us with their joyous brand of gospel/blues for nearly a decade now and I've looked forward to everyone of their releases. Speaking In Tongues is their first record in five years and while it doesn't quite reach the lofty heights of previous records it still delivers more than it's share of rousing music.

 No one quite does it like The Holmes Brothers with their patented mix of R&B, gospel and blues tied to those fabulous three part harmonies and down-home groove. From their first record in 1990 you knew these guys were the real deal. I was curious as to what the new one was going to sound like not only because it was their first for the Alligator label but also because it was produced by pop diva Joan Osbourne. The overall Holmes Brothers sound is generally intact the only problem is with the production which occasionally obscures those wonderful harmonies.

 The production problems are most prominent on the first few tracks and after that it's pretty much smooth sailing. Things get back on track with the stripped down "I Shall Not Walk Alone" with Popsy Dixon singing inspirational lead vocal. It should be mentioned that this is mostly a spiritual affair with a mix of traditional songs, new songs and some interesting cover choices. "King Jesus Will Roll All My Burdens Away" finds Wendell Holmes taking lead on this deeply moving traditional sounding number. The Holmes Brothers are known for their gusty, no holds barred singing and they don't disappoint on the storming "Jesus Is The Way", the old timey feel of "Jesus Got His Hooks In Me" with some great mandolin playing and the rousing "Thank You Jesus" which if it doesn't get your feet moving and hands clapping you had better check your pulse. There's an interesting choice of covers including a few Ben Harper songs, Dylan's "Man Of Peace" and a wonderful version of the O'Jay's classic "Love Train."

  Despite a couple of miscues Speaking In Tongues is another moving, deeply soulful outing form these three gentleman. The Holmes Brothers defy all classifications- any way you slice it's still sounds mighty good.

(Jeff Harris)

Kenny "Blue" Ray Featuring Jackie Payne: Soulful Blues (Tone King)

 Both Kenny "Blue" Ray and Jackie Payne have been slogging away in the blues/soul trenches for over thirty years. While their names may not light up the big marquees these two seasoned veterans are immensely talented. That talent and experience radiate off Soulful Blues a true meeting of the minds.

 Guitarist Kenny "Blue" Ray is one of the top axe men on the scene and his tasteful, big toned sound has graced eleven CD's in the past seven years and he's played with such artists as William Clarke, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Charlie Musselwhite, Smokey Wilson, Albert Collins, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Ray and Jackie aren't strangers, in fact Kenny played guitar and produced the wonderful Day In The Life (Of A Bluesman) which came out on JSP 1998. While that record was Jackie's first full length outing he first made his recording debut in the 60's and scored a regional hit with "Go-Go Train" in 1965 for the Jet Stream label. He also worked with many blues legends, including T-Bone Walker, Johnny Copeland, Albert Collins, Gatemouth Brown, Lowell Folsom, Pee Wee Crayton and has recorded with Johnny Otis.

  Soulful Blues is a tremendously successful collaboration. Recorded for the most part live in the studio this is truly a group effort backed by a terrific band plus the incredible interplay between Jackie's silky, soulful voice and Kenny's big toned tasteful playing. The whole production is a classy affair and reminds me of some of the better Johnny Adams records on Rounder in the 80's and 90's. Soulful Blues consists of eleven well chosen covers and there's not a bum track in the bunch with favorites going to the rousing "A Man Needs His Loving", a gritty take on "Mean Old World", "Road Block", and a great cover of Darrell Nullisch's "Stop Thinkin' Take." The band adds just the right punch with some great sounding horns and wonderful Hammond organ from Audie de Lone.

 Soulful Blues comes highly recommended and musically is better than most of the records coming out on the larger labels. As this is on Ray's own small label it may take a bit more effort to track down but certainly well worth your trouble.

[Soulful Blues can be ordered at Kenny "Blue" Ray's website: http://home.earthlink.net/~blueray/]

(Jeff Harris)

Sir Mack Rice: This What I Do (Infi Music)

 Fans of classic R&B are in for a real treat with veteran soul belter Mack Rice's first new record in nearly a decade. This What I Do melds Rice's still potent chops with a tough modern sound that should bring Rice a new generation of fans.

 Rice is no newcomer and has an impressive career that's spans back to the 50's. Rice was a member of the legendary Falcons a group whose doo-wop/R&B sound was a big influence on the the soul music scene of the 60's. The band was the launching pad for such stars as Wilson Pickett and Eddie Floyd. Rice never rose to the same heights as his former bandmates but carved out a successful career as a songwriter with his tunes finding their way into the songbooks of such artists as The Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, The Young Rascals, B.B. King, Albert King, Rufus Thomas, Robert Cray, and Johnnie Taylor. Rice will forever be linked to the unstoppable "Mustang Sally" which he cut in 1965 and has been covered by just about everybody. This What I Do finds Rice's songwriting talents undiminished and his vocal abilities are still top notch.

 This What I Do was produced by John Tiven, who also plays guitar, who just happened to produce Wilson Pickett's fine 1999 comeback, It's Harder Now. Tiven has produced another winner with Rice's vocals front and center backed by a tough, funky band resulting in a vibrant updating of the classic R&B sound. The record is a mix of classic tunes and originals with just about every song penned by Rice. There's the inevitable "Mustang Sally", a credible version but a song I'm sure most would agree has overstayed it's welcome. Still if anyone has a right to sing it it would be Rice. The rest of the material is first rate opening with the in the pocket swagger of "Money Talks", the gritty ""I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine", the funky "Where Was You At", the irresistibly catchy "24-7 Man" (covered by Robert Cray in 1999), "Another Lonely Weekend In Memphis, Tennessee" a wonderful lowdown blues and wrapping up the uplifting Staples Singers classic "Respect Yourself."

 It may be too early to call but This What I Do should give any other R&B record that comes out this year a run for it's money. Highly recommended!

(Jeff Harris)

Shakin Smith: Wizard Of The Harmonica
(Indpendent)

 Shakin Smith has been playing blues harmonica in Buffalo, NY since the 60's and while well respected among bluesman his name hasn't spread much out of Western New York. Wizard Of The Harmonica should go a long way change this and his mastery of blues harp is guaranteed to turn a few heads.

 Smith has shared the stage or crossed paths with more than a few legends including Jr. Wells, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Louis Myers, James Cotton and perhaps most importantly Robert Lockwood Jr. The two have been good friends since meeting in 1977 with Lockwood offering support and encouragement throughout the years. In fact Lockwood can be heard on two cuts on the new record. Despite the name recognition that Lockwood brings, Wizard Of The Harmonica is Smith's showcase all the way and he lives up to the title one hundred percent.

 The liner notes mention that Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter are two main influences and you can certainly hear that in Smith's playing but his real genius is being able to distill those influences into a sound all his own. The music is comes across solidly in a classic Chicago blues groove but like his friend Lockwood there's also a strong jazz influence in his playing. In addition to his harp work Smith is a strong vocalist and also happens to have a tight band that compliment their leader perfectly. "Hard Kind Of Life" opens things up with in romping Chicago blues fashion, "Bye Bye Baby" is a fine blues shuffle, "Change Your Ways" displays some jaw dropping harp work and "Sweet Little Girl" has a swinging jazzy feel. Some of the disc's best moments come on the instrumentals including the wonderfully late night feel of "A.M. Blues", "Chess Piece" a steamy Chicago blues featuring exceptional playing by Lockwood and Rochester legend Steve Grills on guitar (recorded in Lockwood's basement) and the jazz tinged "No Apostrophe"."

 Wizard Of The Harmonica more than lives up to the title and is the best harmonica blues disc I've heard in a long time. The bottom line is that this one cooks from start to finish and will hopefully bring Shakin Smith's name to a wider audience.

(Jeff Harris)