Mark Hummel - Low Down To Uptown (1998)

Mark Hummel's James Cotton-inspired tone and his ear for penning a solid tune come to the fore on his second disc on the Tone-Cool imprint. With Junior Watson's all-over-the-map style of guitar aboard on the majority of tracks here, the guest shots include Charles Brown (a fine reading of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood"), David Maxwell on two tracks, and duets with Brenda Boykin on "Tain't What You Say" and "Now or Never." To say this album is stylistically diverse would be stating it mildly. The musical glue that holds it all together is Hummel's awesome talent on the harmonica and a band that never ceases to surprise with each genre switch of the track. Be it jazz, soul, or straight-ahead blues, Hummel and company deliver the goods on this one. ~Cub Koda