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Molosz Szulkowski really kicks things along. The US contingent adds some backing vocals,
hand-clapping and in Chopper Wilson’s case, guitar.

Overall, the set includes Chicago blues and rocking R’n’B filtered through the Golden State
approach. The opener has a strong soul tinge and lyrics about an unfaithful woman and is

followed by a fine vintage R’n’B ballad performance in ‘It Wouldn’t Stop Raining’. There are tough
blues and rockers (‘Get Lost’ is a great example of the latter) and some just hit great grooves –
try the vaguely Howling Wolf-ish ‘The Problem’.

In truth though, there’s not a track here that isn’t (at least) well worth a listen. A very fine set all
round.

Norman Darwen

Kirk Nelson & Jambalaya West—Savor the Moment—Inde-
pendent
(www.kirknelsonmusic.com)

2021’s album, “Lagniappe”, the predecessor to this release, was
very successful for these guys, and this set keeps the New Orleans
flavour, as you might expect from the band name. Los Angeles-
based Kirk himself sings and plays piano, Hammond organ, banjo

and guitar, and he is ably backed by the band – some lovely horns
too – and some hand-picked guests too. Each track is different
and shows a strong attention to detail.

Kirk draws here on all his experience playing with the likes of The Neville Brothers, Buddy Guy,
Bo Diddley and many others. The dozen tracks range across musical styles from funky soul
reminiscent of the sound of the late 70s and beyond, through the blues and R’n’B, and on to jazz
standards, with the horns certainly playing their part on ‘Basin Street Blues’ (originally from
1928), the closing ‘I’m Beginning To See The Light’ (from 1944) and the original composition
‘Turn Yourself In’.

As you’d expect from a New Orleans based set—even if Kirk’s personal roots do lie in the
mid-west rather than Louisiana—this is a fine upbeat set. Here’s one to kick off your next
N’Awlins party…

Norman Darwen

JJ Gray and Mofro—Olustee—Alligator Records ASIN :
B0CLNP2C4G

It’s been nine years since the last JJ Gray and Mofro’s last album

“Ol’ Glory” and this new one starts with a plaintive, melodic
ballad ‘The Sea’ complete with syrupy strings, then ‘Top of the
World’ picks up the pace and is harder hitting. And this is the

format for the rest of the album—a slower, gentle song followed
by a faster, harder song —‘On a Breeze’ is semi-acoustic with
slide guitar and strings while the title song is funky with biting