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Jose Ramirez Here I Come Independent

Although Jose has now based himself in Florida, he was
representing The D.C Blues Society and his home country of
Costa Rica, when he took second place at the 2020 International
Blues Challenge in Memphis. Since then he has recorded this, his

debut. For the album Jose has enlisted the very fine talents of
Anson Funderburgh as producer. Joining Jose who takes lead
guitar and vocals at The Wire studios in Austin Texas were Jim
Pugh; keyboards, Wes Starr; drums, with Nate Row on bass and
the horns are provided by the legendary Texas Horns.

Nine of the 11 numbers here are Jose originals. Kicking off with ‘Here I Come', a very pleasing

rolling piano driven shuffle, underpinned with solid drums, a resonating bass and very pleasant
crisply ringing guitar interjections. T-Bone Walker’s ballad ‘I Miss You Baby', is shown deep
respect with the majestic mellow Texas Horns laying down a swaying cushion for Jose’s very fine
resonating vocals and picking guitar while a distinct, slow paced piano and soothing backbeat
gently underpins all. The slow burning ‘Goodbye Letter', features a grippingly crisp and sparkling,

rising piano as a succinctly melancholy guitar merges behind Jose’s despairing vocals. The
tramping percussion of the deep blues number ‘Three Years', is greatly accentuated by the burning
Hammond B3, as it rises the sweet guitar work from Anson Fundeburgh emerges to compliment
Jose’s pleading vocals. The appetising mixture of alluring soulful vocals, luxurious horns and a
bubbling Hammond B3 on ‘Waiting For Your Call', pleasantly evoke fond memories of Hi Records.
Unlike some renditions of Robert Johnson numbers Jose has refrained from delivering a tired re-
run instead, he has infused his version of ‘Travelling Riverside Blues', with a soulful vocal, paired

with a slightly funky guitar edge and has slowed the pace, so we are carried along by a
smouldering Hammond B3 and gently strumming guitar, splendid.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman.

Gerald McClendon Can’t Nobody Stop Me Now Delta Roots
Records DR 1003

Gerald was born in Chicago and still resides there today; since
the age of 4 he has been a lover of music and over the years has
become a well established vocalist. his range of live and
recorded performances have encompassed such genres as blues,
rock, soul, country and jazz standards. He and his band perform
regularly at the club/restaurant, Untitled. His most recent

recordings can be found on the Twist Turner produced Delta
Roots Records’ 2019 release, ‘Battle Of The Blues: Chicago Vs
Oakland', and a collaboration that same year with Vince Salerno on ‘Grabbing The Blues By The
Horns’.