Guitarist Skip McDonald from Dayton, Ohio is an old school bluesman who has been the prime mover behind Little Axe project since 1992.
He was born in 1949 and this record serves as statement of where he's been and where he still intends to go .
Little Axe have five albums to date. This is their third for Real World and he describes it as the most band-led album he has made.
The essence of the tracks were recorded live in the studio and features soul singer Bernard Fowler, drummer Keith LeBlanc, bassist Doug Wimbish, vocalists Saranella Bell and Kevin Gibbs.
Other key elements were added later, including guest vocals from Ken Booth on two tracks, The Crispy Horns brass ensemble and some marvellous harmonica playing by Alan Glen.
Several tracks are new versions of old tracks. For example Back To The Crossroads was first recorded on The Wolf That House Built 1994 while Too Late and Return date from 1996
One of the album highlights, Hammer Head, first appeared on a 1993 album with the now somewhat ironic title of Never Look Back.
The album is rich in old blues such as the inclusion of Son House's Grinning but the modern production values give the album a soulful and contemporary flavour.
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Much of the quality of the sound can be credited to the co-production work of British dub maestro Adrian Sherwood. Sherwood's touch is subtle rather than showy and entirely in keeping with the spirit of a record based on style and substance.
Most tracks have the smooth Keb Mo, Neville Brothers style that would fit seamlessly into the soundtrack of HBO's The Wire.
The 14 tracks are elegantly topped and tailed by two one minute gospel songs Guide My Feet and When The Sun Goes Down respectively to add that final touch of elegance to this very classy album.
A lot of hot air is spent talking about roots music but what you get here is the real deal.
Little Axe website
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