JD Simo - JD Simo (Album Review)
The debut solo album from JD Simo ‘Off at 11’ (review) married bluesy tones with psychedelic influences and delivered them with impressive gusto. JD had something to say musically and the chops to deliver his message, which he conveyed to the masses via over 150 live shows spreading the word the old fashioned way by putting in the miles. JD took the songs he’d written on the road into his “funky little eight-track studio” resulting in a new album that expands even further on his bluesy psychedelia adding a layer of old-school soul to the mix.
Opening track ‘The Movement’ sets things up beautifully, if unexpectedly. JD delivers the vocal in a higher register than we have come to expect which perfectly matches the ethereal, spacey quality of the music. The rhythm section of drummer Adam Abrashoff and bassist Andraleia Buch get busy from the off with JD content to hang back before unleashing a fuzzy lead break. The song fades out just a little too early for me around the four-minute mark leaving the listener wondering where the trio was going. I’m guessing there are a good few minutes of tape lying on a studio floor somewhere. The funky ‘Love’ is up next, drums pound while JD delivers a punchy riff and funky fills with great dexterity reminding me of prime Stevie Salas. Edward Spear’s production is proving to be an important ingredient in these early tracks as he mutates the sound with abandon pushing the psych envelope every which way. A take on James Brown’s ‘Out Of Sight’ finds JD switching vocally to a guttural growl as he peels off another impressive solo. ‘Higher Plane’ is thunderous; dirty and bluesy in equal measure, especially when the trio kicks things up mid-song and embarks on a helter-skelter rollercoaster ride to the finish. Side one concludes with the gorgeous soul of ‘One Of Those Days’ which finds JD delivering a lovely falsetto vocal that brings to mind Marvin and Curtis with a dash of Lenny Kravitz at his most seductive. In my review of ‘Off at 11’ I highlighted the variety in JD’s vocal delivery which continues to improve as he seems to have a newfound confidence in his abilities.
Side two kicks off with ‘Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic’ which is even harder to say than type… Fans will recognise the original from Isaac Hayes’ 1969 ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ opus and JD offers up a more concise rendition that respects the original and plays to all the strengths of JD, Adam and Andraleia. Next up ‘Take That’ is an unexpected change of speed, a frantic display of musical prowess by the trio that is more Albert Lee than Jimi Hendrix and is over in a flash of rumbling bass and fiery guitar licks. Those funky guitars return to introduce a terrific take on Willie Johnson’s ‘Soul of a Man’, which could well be one of my favourite moments on the record but, it doesn’t overstay its welcome which is a bit of a shame. The slow burn of ‘Help’ proves to be a real highlight as JD’s guitar roars and Adam Abrashoff’s drums pound through a wall of distortion before the album concludes with another left turn in the old-style blues of ‘Anna Lee'. Earl Hooker's tune is given a sonic makeover as guitars and vocals slip in and out of a soundscape littered with old-school tape effects.
JD Simo has returned with another record that finds the singer/guitarist embarking on the second chapter of his solo career with absolutely no musical limits in mind. The soul influences and the continued improvement and confidence in his voice are very welcome. Unfortunately, I feel that side two of the record suffers a little from a disjointed approach and doesn’t flow as well as it might. Tracks come and go far too soon, another minute or two would have been great to allow the songs a little more breathing room. I’m not expecting another ‘Accept’ from the first record but hearing the trio stretch out and play is one of the joys of a JD Simo record and that is often missing this time out. Many will disagree and say leave the extended jams for the live show, which is a fair point, I guess I’m just looking for some middle ground. In conclusion, the latest from JD Simo is a quality release full of interesting left turns and terrific playing from an artist always striving to break down walls and explore new musical directions. JD and his band rarely, if ever, play it safe and that should be applauded.
JD Simo is released August 21st, 2020 via Crows Feet Records
Ledfoot aka Tim Scott McConnell and Ronni Le Tekrø seem, at first look, like an odd pair. Tim, born in Florida, has been based in Norway for many years, adopting the Ledfoot moniker in 2007 after a string of solo releases on major labels and as frontman of The Havalinas. Ronni Le Tekrø is best known as the guitarist in TNT, Norwegian rock royalty, enjoying considerable international success since their formation in 1982. The Norwegian connection would seem to be the cement here, and ‘Limited Edition Lava Lamp’ is their second record as a duo.