The Cadillac Kings - Highway 17 (2004) [CD Rip]

The Cadillac Kings' "Highway 17" was chosen, with "Remember Me" by Charles Caldwell, as joint best blues release of the year by the music critics of The Times in their end of year review of the best CDs of 2004. (Saturday Dec 18th '04) 33 Records, the prestigious UK jazz label, long dedicated to supporting the best in home-grown & European talent, has taken a sidestep into the rhythm & blues scene with their latest signing, the award-winning and versatile UK blues & jump-jive band - The Cadillac Kings. Not such an unusual move for the jazzers at "33" - The Cadillac Kings swing like they were born in the trees!

Recorded & mixed over four days at 33's own KoolWorld Studios by Van Morrison's concert engineer Dave Wooster, the 14 track CD features 12 originals, the majority of which were written by frontman & singer Mike Thomas who seems to have the ability to pen tunes that make you want to dance and smile at the same time! Instrumental duties are well taken care of by top UK harp-player Gary Potts, pianist & accordianist Mike Adcock & the very talented young guitarist Oliver Darling. Add one of the best rhythm sections around - double bassist Orlando Shearer and drummer Roy Webber, and you've got a band who can satisfy the most demanding blues fans, or get a jive audience on its feet in absolutely no time at all! As BBC blues broadcaster Phil Aldridge writes in the CD sleevenotes "the spirits of Louis Jordan, Joe Liggins and Wynonie Harris are alive and well".