Mike Sanchez - Just Can't Afford It (2002) [CD Rip]

Personnel:
Mike Sanchez – vocals, piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, hammond organ, double bass, bass guitar
Mark Morgan – drums
Al Nicholls – tenor saxophone, penny whistle
Paul Clarke – baritone saxophone, alto saxophone
Dave Priseman – trumpet

"Just Can't Afford It" shows that Mike Sanchez can manage remarkable well on his own after leaving the Big Town Playboys, the band he created with Ian Jennings in 1984.
The repertoire still catches, with blues you can dance to; rhythm & blues, steaming boogie woogie and swing, and also a couple of quick and slow latino tunes. "Sombras" and "Vamos A Bailar" are two of them. The first mentioned song, will be a little bit unfamiliar in many people's ears, but his own song "Vamos A Bailar" is on the other hand an incredible catchy and quick melody, where he has put in some elements from the blues. He also has a reggae version of "Goodnight My Love", but this song is a little tame and insignificant.
The album's highlight is obviously the two melodies "Just Can't Afford it" and "Ramblin Boogie", two steaming selfcomposed songs, that make your dancefoot swing and make your bloodstream run fast. The title melody gave me association to the Norwegian bluesman Reidar Larsen. Good versions of well chosen coversongs like Wynonie Harris's "Adam Come And Get Your Rib", Roy Miltons' "Waking Up Baby" and Willie Mabons' "Wow, I Feel So Good" makes this a great album.
Sanchez' qualities as a boogie pianist are well known, but on this cd, he is also an outstanding and a specially qualified guitarist.
The album works perfectly just for listening, but you should put on your dancingshoes and throw yourself into it! ~Rolf Stensletten