Page 45 - BiTS_10_OCTOBER_2022

Gerry Jablonski & the Elecric Band—105—Independent

Singer, guitarist and bandleader Gerry Jablonski has a big

following across Europe for his own particular brand of big-
sounding blues-rock. This is his fifth studio album, and
although it is not officially released until 25th November, it has
been for sale at his gigs from the beginning of September –

and the band have gigs in the UK during that time.

The first couple of numbers have a very heavy, muscular,
blues-rocking sound, before the pace and volume decrease for
‘A Hard Road’, which has tinges of vintage Free (and is that
reference to “a heavy load” deliberate?), an influence that is
made even more explicit with the following number, ‘Koss (For Paul Kossoff)’. ‘Heavy Water’

also has traces of Free’s sound.

Although there is a strong rock influence on many of these numbers, the harmonica work of
Peter Narojczyk means that there is always at least one foot in the blues. And as for the songs?
Well, the band went into the studio on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With art
reflecting life, the album is dark and heavy, not shying away lyrically from themes that are not

usually present in this kind of music.

People talk about contemporary blues-rock. That’s exactly what this is.
Norman Darwen

MiXendorp—Alogna—Black & Tan B&T 990 (Single)

(www.blackandtanrecords.nl)

MiXendorp describe this as “experimental trance electro
blues” and I can’t do much better than that. With roots deep in
the traditional sound, and a willingness to innovate, these two
guys really do like to push the boundaries, as here.

The Dutch outfit marries plenty of electronics with some bit-

ing blues guitar work, throwing in also some seriously man-
gled vocals (Boo Boo Davis, I think, but I could be wrong) for
almost five and a half minutes – give it time. Yes, it’s different,
it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, granted, but if you’re at all interested, do try to give it a listen.
Just don’t expect a ‘Dust My Broom’ or ‘Rock Me Baby’…

Norman Darwen