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Tamikrest Tamotait Glitter Beat GBCD 091

Tamikrest is a band founded in Algeria in 2006, and who draw on
their Tuareg tradition but whose sound is often described as

“desert-blues”. On this evidence, and previous albums, it is per-

haps better described as “where world music meets blues-rock” –
I am listening to the riff-laden ‘Anha Achal Wad Namda’ as I write

this. They encountered rock via the internet and name Jimi Hen-
drix as an inspiration, alongside several rock acts such as Mark

Knopfler. Other tracks are quieter and betray the influence of the late West African singer and

guitarist Ali Farka Touré, who admitted to being strongly influenced by John Lee Hooker (so please,
do let’s forget any of this ‘roots of the blues’ stuff) as well as others like Otis Redding. There is some

slide guitar on a couple of tracks here, and the main language is Tamashek, though the one verse in

English does rather stand out as un-necessary. Unless you have come to this set via the “desert-
blues” route, this release might take a bit of getting used to, but if what you have read interests you,

try and check them out on Youtube
Norman Darwen

(www.tamikrest.net)

Jim Gustin & Truth Jones Lessons Learned Independent

This is the third album from Jim Gustin & Truth Jones (Jeri
Goldenhar), who, over a period of thirty years have gained
invaluable experience by playing in and around the Los Angeles

area. They recently represented their home town of Santa Clarita,
California, at the 2020, International Blues Challenge, reaching the
semi-finals. The line-up here is Jim Gustin, lead guitar and lead
vocals, Truth Jones, lead and backing vocals, Steve Alterman, piano
and keyboards, Scott Duncan, bass, Chuck Strong, drums,
Lawrence Tammez, saxophone. The eleven Goldenhar, Gustin
original numbers here were recorded at the Mystic Mountain Sound studios in Santa Clarita, with

Jim Gustin in the producer’s chair. Jim possesses a fine rasping baritone that is nicely juxtaposed
by Jeri’s powerful smouldering soul/gospel infused vocals. Their positive easy-going rolling blues,
is combined with pleasant forays into many musical territories to great effect.
The opening salvo is the swinging ‘I’ve Been Drinking’, where Jim and Jeri duet on the perils of
alcoholic over-indulgence and the things you do and say. While they’re bemoaning their antics, the

band sweetly swings, with a mellow saxophone bellowing along with a rolling piano and burning
guitar fills. ‘When This Ship Sails’, is a very pleasant - wailing saxophone and stark piano - jazz tinged
ballad. The splendidly smouldering vocals of Jeri are casually underpinned by soothingly enticing
brushwork. The brooding, prowling ‘I Hate To See You Go’ is infused with wailing guitar and
saxophone, while a burning organ roams beneath with a thudding bass. Above it all Jim gleefully