Phil Bee's Freedom - Home (2019)

After the album Memphis Moon from 2016, the band around Phil Bee has been busy touring in the Benelux and Germany and it took a while before plans were made to record a new album. At the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, they went into the studio after all. Not the least by the way. The well-known Wisseloord Studio in Hilversum was visited for this album HOME. The album was mixed by none other than Ronald Prent. This third album features the typical sound of Phil Bee's Freedom; a combination of jazz, soul influences from the 60s and 70s with a clear nod to the blues. They call it 'Contemporary Blues', with which the band has won all kinds of great prizes over the years and even ended up in the semi-final of IBC in Memphis.

After listening to this album several times, I can only say that it has become a huge high-flyer with which we as music lovers will have many years of fun. The recognizable 'Freedom' sound, atmosphere and style has been taken to a higher level with this album. Especially because of the warm sound and appearance of the album. Some of the songs have horns added, giving them even more cachet, balance and depth. I would almost dare say a kind of 'Wall of Sound'. Of course we recognize 'Mister Hammond' Pascal Lanslots again who knows how to lay a wonderful foundation in the songs in addition to the rhythm section. This happens in the powerful opener ' Your Love ' but also in the sensitive ' Ridin' Home '.

Phil Bee's Freedom is a more than well-balanced band. Every time and everywhere you will notice that in addition to routine and experience, this company also gets the opportunity to give and take your own input and creativity free rein. The two guitarists John F Klaver and Berland Rours are masters in variation on familiar themes and structures. They take the right moments to improvise without exaggerating and always ensure that it is appropriate within the whole. In addition, the formation has two excellent backing vocalists Nicole Verouden and Tarah Ouwerkerk, who add the finishing touch to the beautiful songs.

Power of Love is a funky powerful up-tempo song where Phil pulls out all the stops in terms of vocal range. Followed by guitar interruptions that greats such as John Scofield or Larry Carlton can draw on. It's wonderful how they do those two string pickers. In this kind of bluesy and soul songs you can mix clear free-jazz solos through it and ensure that such a song remains compact and accessible. Then follows the sensitive ' Wheels of Emotion ' where the quiet rhythm and soft dragging guitar let you slumber all the way to the beautiful vocals and lyrics:

I feel like a freight train rollin 'in the night
Carrying this heart pain, having lost the fight
I was living in a dream, the best I ever had
But life ain't what it seems when the fire turns all red

Andy's Bar is a true blues stamper as a kind of contrast to the previous tearjerker. The audience in the hall is guaranteed not to stand still on this song. In the slow blues ' I Gotta Go My Way ' the ladies Nicole Verouden and Tarah Ouwerkerk take on their leading role in this atmospheric song that they know how to give a full and deep character. Alternated with the dark tones from the Hammond by Pascal Lanslots and closed by a guitar solo by John F Klaver.

The album HOME is rock solid! A very clear compact signature makes the mark on this album. Perfectly produced as a whole mixed. Stimulates and touches from start to finish. The mood and ambiance is very constant and especially jazzy, bluesy, sultry, sensitive and driven. Phil's warm pleasant hoarse voice rises to great heights. The sleek and punctually arranged rhythmic drum and percussion work completes the whole! And with that ' Peace of Mind ' is also the perfect ending to this masterpiece. ~John Maes (Blues Magazine)