The J.C. Smith Band - Love Mechanic (2015)

Tracklist

01. Jump for Joy
02. Cold Sweat
03. Come On Home to Me
04. Love Mechanic
05. Ring Around the Tub
06. Yonder Wall
07. Bad, Bad Feeling
08. Last Night
09. Talk to Me Baby
10. Rocket to the Moon
11. Five Long Years
12. Ain't No Stranger

Sometimes you just know you're going to like an album - even if you've never heard of the band - because of the source. Whether it's a friend or a publicist, you can trust that source to come up with something good every time he or she gives you some music. The latest album - Love Mechanic - by The JC Smith Band came from a very trustworthy source, and it does not disappoint.

The album begins with "Jump for Joy", a fitting name since this is a fine jump-blues tune. No matter where you are when you hear this song, you'll have a hard time keeping still. Don't be surprised if you think about Swingers when you hear this one. It's very reminiscent of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Oh, and Smith has a pretty impressive guitar solo that shows off his chops. When the song ends, you might be prepared for an entire album of jump blues. While you'll definitely hear a lot, the album is not entirely jump blues. The second song for instance is a bluesy version of James Brown's "Cold Sweat". It's a great take on a classic song, and you've probably not heard a version quite like this one. That's not the only cover on the album. The band also does a version of "Yonder Wall" by Elmore James. It's not as lowdown as James's version. It's a very clean and very upbeat version of a classic song. Frankly, the band probably knows the futility of trying to sound like Elmore James, and does a good job of making this song their own - especially with the organ part that is sure to get you moving your head.

The band also ventures into a combination of soul and blues with "Come on Home to Me". This song features some organ that reminds you of Booker T. The vocals are reminiscent of the great soul vocalists of the 70s. This one is a slow burner that just might make you want to serenade someone.

If you listen to blues regularly, you hear a lot of metaphors for interacting with the opposite sex. This band has a song called "Love Mechanic" in which Smith sings that he'd like to "check under the hood" of a certain someone. This song has an irresistible groove - especially in the bass line. The melody is punctuated with some pretty groovy organ and horns that give the song a brightness that will improve your day.

Love Mechanic is a solid blues album. Its 12 songs are a mix of originals and covers rangning from jump blues to country blues - all of which are done very well.

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