JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD Source: Main Blues Society Date: 10/2007 Writer: Phil Whipple

The long-awaited national debut of this mega-talented Maine native is an amazing collection of work. From the moment it starts with "The Rocker," we hear the incredible sounds of Ricci's world-class harmonica and Shawn Starsky's killer guitar. Among the many highlights are;"Dodecahedron," an instrumental featuring the saxaphone of Michael Peloquin. Ricci is slightly more subdued here, but that isn't a bad thing; "I'm A New Man," a true statement for Jason with the turnaround he's made in his life; "The Blow Zone Layer," the album's second instrumental that will simply blow you away; "The Eternal Is," written by Starsky, a song developed during sound checks featuring a killer solo from bass player Todd 'Buck Weed' Edmunds; and "Rocket Number 9," the title track which I heard the band play last winter at the now-defunct Chicky's Fine Diner in Westbrook. This old tune from Herman Blount, a.k.a Sun Ra, will stick in your head for days and have you playing either the air guitar or make-believe drums. It really rocks! It caps a sensational recording for a gifted band, led by our own Jason Ricci - who moved south in the mid 1990s and dedicated his life to becoming a blues musician. He's paid his dues, honed his skills and done more gigs per year than B.B. King. Now fans the world over can hear what this amazing artist is all about.