ARTHUR ADAMS "STOMP THE FLOOR" Source: Blues Underground Network Date: 11/2009 Writer: Ben Harper

Arthur has been a popular mainstay of the blues scene in L.A. for many years. His first album, It's Private Tonight, released in 1972 firmly established the silky smooth vocal presence and guitar style that he's recognized for today. Arthur has recorded with Jimmy Smith, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Lowell Fulson, The Crusaders and Bonnie Raitt. In 1991, Arthur played rhythm guitar and contributed two songs to B.B. King's album There Is Always One More Time. King later returned the favor, appearing on Arthur's release Back On Track in 1999. Stomp The Floor features his signature brand of soulful rhythm & blues filled with melodic hooks, classy arrangements and impeccable song writing.

I haven't heard the name Arthur Adams and the word blues since 1999 when I heard a great duet with him and B.B. King called "Get You Next To Me." Most of the time most of us wouldn't remember when we heard a song, but I remember the tune as one of the first I heard on satellite radio from the Music Choice Blues station. I immediately got on my ITunes and got the song, about a year later I got the song on CD as part of one of Blind Pig Records 30th Anniversary Collection discs. I remember hearing Adams voice and thinking his was a higher pitched, smoother vocal than that of his influence B.B. King. Needless to say, Adams has been gone away from national attention for awhile. This guy has written songs for B.B., Albert King, Quincy Jones, Sam Cooke, and played guitar for Bonnie Raitt. He's led a long, storied career on the Los Angeles music scene. It's only apt that Randy Chortkoff has come along and snatched up this tremendous talent and got him back in the studio again.

Adams' vocals are just as good now as they ever were and his guitar is a mix between a bluesy George Benson and groovy West Coast blues stylings. The album opener and title cut is slick southern fried soul-blues. "You Can't Win For Losing" is reminiscent to Adams uniquely soulful and relatable lyrics and the groove is steady, sweet, and smooth. Adams doesn't stop with the groove all the way. With funk, soul-blues, southern fried soul, and classy guitar work this album is a soul-blues sure fire winner. This has got everything from your baby-making love grooves to your get on the floor and shake your thing dance hits. Adams shows us all how the classic R&B masters used to do it - silky smooth vocals, intelligent songwriting, and world class musicianship. This has some vibes that will catch a hold of you and make you say "Yeah!" "Callin' Heaven" is just as good as any other world conscious tune put out there today. It's got a catchy and relatable chorus. "Nature of the Beast" talks about the monkeys on everyone's back. Adams is back on the scene and full of soul power. Blues fans if you're lacking in some soul-blues this year, pick up this latest, greatest addition to Adams' songbook.