This Cd is really very good, Alvin Jett really does have a Blues voice and can sing some blues notes with the best of them. Alvin is an Illinois native out of East Saint, Woof woof. Those of you that don't know, East Saint Louis, it's a tough little Mississippi River town in the shadow of the gateway to the West. Alvin Jet and the Phat Noiz Band is based in St. Louis. John May, current President of the St. Louis Blues Society says, "This is in the tradition of St. Louis Blues". Alvin began playin at about age 20 and played with Tommy Bankhead & The Blues Eldorados, what a fantastic mentor. This is Alvins second, but first with the Phat Noiz Band.
The first tune is "What Must a Player Do?" a nice song about the industry and how to balance the demands of both his music and those of his woman. The next one follows up titled "Bluesman", that witch Alvin Jett is. This song makes a logical transition but also tosses in a hint of what makes The Phat Noiz Band different. You are gonna like this one.
The band as a whole has it going on, they got some blues, some funk, and some soul and gospel tossed in for good measure. Alvin Jett - guitar, Frank Bauer - sax, Matt Davis - bass, Jeremy West - drums, a four piece band that moves me like and grooves me the way I like when listening to the blues.
By song #6 "I Got My Pride" with a slow soulful Motown beat, Alvin answers the question he posed with his first song. "East Sid Women" is probably my favorite song. I agree with Alvin 100%, the East Side women have always made mine hard as well. It's a jumpin, dancing song that you can sing along with.
With "China Doll" the beat and rhythm change but the pursuit remains the same. What's a bluesman to do ? The Sax playing on this thing really brings it home as does Alvin's voice and lyrics. Marcus Steinmann played keyboards on this one and a few others. Marcus also mixed and mastered the CD. Alvin and the band give special heartfelt thanks to their brother N.G. for the inspiration to continue with their project.
If you ask me, this is a good representation of the blues aching for some more hip hop and phunk. I really like it and listen to it quite often. It represents East Saint Louis and the Saint Louis Blues scene very well.
Visit their website at www.phatnoiz.com
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