I am very much impressed with the output of Randy Chortkoff’s Delta Groove Productions, which has filled a gap in the blues scene.  This West Coast operation has introduced some new performers and showcased some established ones.   A core of experienced bluesmen, including Richard Innes on drums, Fred Kaplan on piano, Al Blake on harmonica and Jeff Turmes on bass and horns has become a sort of “house band” for several recordings, including Phillip Walker’s new album, Going Back Home. Walker blends his Louisiana and Texas roots with West Coast influences to produce an array of music that sounds great.  Now 70, Walker still exudes energy and guitar skills.  He can do country blues, Texas swing blues with a band, blues shuffles and more.  Walker sings a lot of songs about two-timing women, and he usually picks songs with a wry sense of humor.  He has never sounded better than on this record.

Less known is the Phantom Blues Band, originally formed from a group of veteran rock, R&B and blues players to back Taj Mahal on a couple records.  Now this band is given its own record, Out of the Shadows, a pleasing blend of blues/rock, R&B, soul and reggae.  Think of them as a West Coast version of Roomful of Blues, with guitar leads, keyboards and a horn section, but with less emphasis on the jump and swing sounds of the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Three band members share vocal leads: Larry Fulcher (bass), Mike Finnigan (keyboards) and Johnny Lee Schell (guitar).  Finnigan is the most energetic and soulful of the trio, but all are effective singers.  Some of the arrangements are quite close to other recorded versions, including “Rain Down Tears,” Yield Not to Temptation” and “Part Time Love,” while others offer quite different takes, as with Chuck Berry’s “Havana Moon”.