LYNWOOD SLIM& THE IGOR PRADO BAND "BRAZILAN KICKS" Source: Cascade Blues Association Date: 01/2011 Writer: Greg Johnson

Hey, is it too late to cast my vote for coolest blues disc of the year? What? There is no such category in the Blues Music Awards. Well, they should create one just to include this new album from Lynwood Slim and the Igor Prado Band, Brazilian Kicks, it just has that groove going that you can't sit back and appreciate what it has happening. If you can sit still through this entire disc, something is definitely wrong with you and you'd better see a doctor quick!

Opening with the Californian blues man leading the Brazilian band on Junior Wells and Buddy Guy's "Shake It Baby" that is channeling the spirit of James Brown. I haven't heard anything with this much funk since Johnny "Guitar" Watson or Junior Wells himself were commanding the stage. And then the CD spins through a variety of blues stylings and the band hits home on every one of them. Covers of tunes by the likes of Dave Bartholomew, Little Walter and the Wynonie Harris classic "Bloodshot Eyes" are dead on. There is also a guitar-fueled instrumental titled "Blue Bop" that sounds so West Coast you'd swear it was Charlie Baty on guitar. Igor Prado hits Baty's style perfectly. Slim, best known as a harmonica master, doesn't even pick up his harp until the sixth track when he uses the instrument sparingly on Little Walter's "Little Girl." And he makes every note of it count. But still he can maintain the focus of the disc with his ultra-cool vocal approach, not to mention pulling out a flute. Yes, a flute being used as a blues instrument and it works nicely.

Highlights on this disc are plenty. I love the jazzy feel of "My Hat's On The Side Of My Head," Donny Nichilo's smooth piano backed by the horns on "Bill's Change" could've come straight out of Kansas City circa 1949, and the closing number "Going To Mona Lisa's" is a groovin' instrumental featuring strong harp playing from Slim and the band coming across as a true ensemble.

Guess what, these guys from Brazil know a thing or two about the blues and matching them up with Lynwood Slim is a stroke of genius. Delta Groove has certainly struck gold here. Far freakin' out, this disc is really the epitome of cool!