JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD "DONE WITH THE DEVIL" Source: Washington Blues Society Bluesletter Date: 09/2009 Writer: Malcolm Kennedy

The new Eclecto Groove Records release, Done With The Devil by Jason Ricci opens with the title track and it is classic Jason Ricci in his take no prisoners style, that feels familiar and fresh at the same time with the lyric “done with the devil; but the devil ain’t done with you.”  This is followed by “Sweet Loving” a mellow pop tune that is kind of a departure for Jason; but quite pleasant and well done.  Jason gets bluesy on the melancholy “Broken Toy” in which he describes the pain of not feeling like you fit in, definitely the blues.  Shawn Starski lays down some supple jazzy guitar and Jason heart wrenching harmonica.  “Ptryptophan Pterodactyl is a jazzy instrumental and “I Turned Into A Martian” is verging on punk, Eclecto Groove was formed to place artist who think outside of the box, refuse to be pigeonholed and that definitely describes Jason and his music.

Jason covers Willie Dixon’s “As Long As I Have You” a mellow blues shuffle with some outstanding harp playing and Shawn adds some nice slide dobro work and the lead vocals to “How It Came To Be”.  Jason also includes an inspired reading of Mongo Santamaria’s classic jazz piece, “Afro Blue”.  The drummer, Ed Michaels takes over on vocals for “Keep The Wolf From My Door,” a song he wrote the liner notes and gives credit to the whole band as a unit for writing and arranging the songs on Done With The Devil.  I highly recommend this follow up to Rocket Number 9 to all New Blood fans and to the rest, check it out I think you will find some excellent music here.