Album review: MOJO ASSASSINS – Mojo Assassins
Share the post "Album review: MOJO ASSASSINS – Mojo Assassins"
Artwork Media, Inc. [Release date 24.11.15]
The Mojo Assassins are a power trio comprising Ronny Griffin drums, Tony Calhoun on bass and vocals and David Zychek on guitar and vocals. Their collective pedigree includes Night Ranger, Stallion, Frankie Lee and jam time with the likes of Prince, Parliament and Funkadelic etc. The result is 11 self penned tracks on which the band manfully tries to find their own identity in a fusion of standard fare rock, funk and blues.
At times they sound positively tentative – as on the desultory vocals and sluggish arrangement of ‘Take Me As I Am’ – while at other times they sound like a completely different band as evidenced by the funky ‘She’s So Sexy’. And sandwiched in between the two is one of their very best songs, the Johnny Guitar Watson influenced ‘Time For Me To Go’.
They don’t seem to know whether to stick or twist with a funk-rock approach or go with the outright rock-blues of ‘I Can Make You Happy’, on which Zychek’s guitar tone broaches Zappa.
As always, a slow blues usually sorts out the contenders from the pretenders and the band do lean into ‘Somebody’s Going To Hell’ with real purpose and style. The song also benefits from one of the best vocals on the album – presumably from bass player Tony Calhoun – while David Zychek’s ethereal guitar tone explores the outer reaches.
Suddenly they sound inspired, and the booming rocker ‘Haters’, proves that whatever the limits of their material they sure can play.
‘Mississippi’ brings a touch of country blues to their palette, and they round things off with a gritty heartfelt ballad, ‘I’d Like To Be The One You Love’, which like the album as a whole is good in parts, but ultimately doesn’t quite deliver.
File under decent band in search of better material. ***
Review by Pete Feenstra
Pete Feenstra presents his Rock & Blues Show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Tuesday at 19:00 GMT, and “The Pete Feenstra Feature” on Sundays at 19:00
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.
Latest session: SUNDAY 26 MAY
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
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 26 May 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 28 May 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 10 June 2024
BASTION ROSE (Epictronic Records)
VOODOO RAMBLE Midnight Ride (indie)
BYWATER CALL As If (indie)
ESCAPE THE PARADIGM Cold (Curtain Call Records)
DEFENCES Gold In The Dark (indie)
BRAVE RIVAL Fairytale (indie)
MOJO ACES Old Crow (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 10 June 2024
09:00-12:00 NESTOR Teenage Rebel (Napalm Records)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 MIRACLE MILE East Of Ely (indie)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Please note that as at 12.06.24 the X/Twitter embedded timeline appears to be broken. Please click the text link until this is resolved.
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: MOJO ASSASSINS – Mojo Assassins"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections