Pete Feenstra chatted to Mick Pini and Craig Marshall for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from the new album. First broadcast 18 August 2024.
Audio 54 Records/Cadiz [Release date 15.08.24]
‘Papa Voodoo’ is another collaboration between Germany-based guitarist Mick Pini and Craig Marshall (Audio 54). Our own Pete Feenstra is both an advocate and active participant supplying the title to album opener ‘Duck Soup’.
If you want a laid-back groovy summer soundtrack (for what’s left of it) look no further. That opener is all wah wah and chill with Marshall’s brass interjections. Like something you might have read about in late-1970s ‘Record Mirror’ review pages.
Most of the tracks are free-form, with Pini setting the dials to stun and letting his expansive guitar figures take him on his journey. It’s all about the groove. The title track reminds me of the late John Campbell – all gruff vocal and swampy vibe with the Hammond/organ sound adding spice. Dr.John might be another reference.
‘Funky Delicatessen’ is exactly what it says on the tin, a perfunctory funk workout “You love the taste, you love the smell. You love the bass, as funky as hell”. Right.
More conventional jazz blues is displayed on ‘Mornington Crescent 69′ with nice keyboard accompaniment, urban jazz on ‘Gotta Get My Way Home”. The title track actually appeared on the duo’s previous ‘Way Ahead’ when Pete Feenstra commented “blues is at its best as a catalyst rather than simply a genre in itself.”
Sometimes the vocals are embedded in the tune as an effect, such as the Latin-vibe of ‘Spark’ but the highlights are the instrumentals including ‘Make It Last’ with a Stevie Wonder patented keyboard shuffle and the orchestrated ‘Theme From Icarus’ which apparently is a 30 year old tune given a new lease of life.
By ‘Memphis Jazztronica’ with its hypnotic Lonnie Liston Smith electric piano vibe, some listeners may be as weary of Pini’s vocal as he himself sounds. This is a “bonus track” which references the album’s standout – if derivative - ballad ‘A Cold Day In Memphis’.
This album should really be heard in a well-oiled late-night club situation but I am sure as background to a fading summer it will work just as well. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
Album review (Way Ahead, 2023)
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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