a revved-up “ Penny Lane ” bounce . “ You never know what ’ s coming ,” sings Faulkner with shimmering optimism . “ Get Out of Dodge ” fuses the pop-savvy of the Knack , Mott the Hoople , and Chuck Berry , featuring guest vocals from Blow Your Cool guest and Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson and her Beach Boy husband John Cowsill . “ Don ’ t Try to Save My Soul ” offers signature super-charged Gurus energy with a defiant stance . Shepherd whips up a musical hurricane joined by Rieth ’ s furious drumming on the caustic and cautionary “ I Come from Your Future .” The riff to the recriminatory “ Was I Supposed to Care ?” echoes Aerosmith ’ s classic “ Dream On .” Faulkner ’ s wit has been on display since 1984 ’ s Stoneage Romeos and is amply evident here while subverting Beatlesque sentiment on “ Got to Get You Out of My Life .” ( hoodoogurus . net )
– Jeff Elbel
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YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED Plays Super Fly ( Liberation Hall )
After departing the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1966 , the matchless rhythm section of bassist Eldee Young and drummer Isaac “ Redd ” Holt scored a # 3 single as Young- Holt Unlimited in 1968 with the indelible instrumental “ Soulful Strut .” The group plied their trade through the soul music heyday of the early ‘ 70s , mixing pop , jazz , R & B , and slinky funk . Plays Super Fly was the group ’ s final album before splitting in 1974 . Material includes instrumental versions of “ Freddie ’ s Dead ” and “ Superfly ” from Curtis Mayfield ’ s classic funk and soul soundtrack to the 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly . Terse funk guitar , Latin percussion , and shimmering Hammond organ color Mayfield ’ s critical character sketch “ Pusher Man .” Other tracks include a psychedelic soul cover of the Carpenters ’ starry-eyed “( They Long to Be ) Close to You ,” with lyrics sung through a talk-box guitar effect . The Stylistics ' “ People Make the World Go Round ” features Young ’ s slippery double bass and glistening electric piano . Plays ** Super Fly arrives as a welcome reissue for Record Store Day on “ mellow yellow ” colored vinyl .
– Jeff Elbel
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RICK HOLMSTROM Get It ! ( LuEllie )
For 15 years , none other than Chicagobased Queen of Gospel Mavis Staples has trusted guitarist Rick Holmstrom as her bandleader – even going so far as dubbing him “ Pops Jr .” Holmstrom doesn ’ t actually mimic Pops Staples ’ signature sound , but he exhibits an elemental understanding of Pops ’ sanctified six-string work . Holmstrom ’ s style on the Telecaster is infused with a deep understanding of Gospel , blues , roots music , and Memphis soul that are put to service in an earthen sound all his own . With elements of swamp rock and surf guitar twang creeping into the mix , Holmstrom ’ s playing will appeal to fans of a broad cross-section of crafty and contemporary roots players ranging from Southern Culture on the Skids ’ Rick Miller to Big Lazy ’ s Stephen Ulrich . Whereas 2021 ’ s See That Light included lyrical ruminations on time squandered alone during the lockdown , the all-instrumental tracks on ** Get It ! are primed for barbecues , parties , road trips , or any gathering of good friends . “ Looky Here ” features snap a la Steve Cropper with the MG ’ s . And why not ? Holmstrom ’ s impressive resume includes time playing with Booker T . Washington . “ All About My Girls ” and “ Pour One Out ” are joyful Texas blues shuffles . “ King Freddie ” stays down south for a loving nod to Freddie King . “ Surfer Chuck ” takes classic Berry-styled riffs and runs them through a Ventures filter . “ Kronky Tonk ” skews hot Bakersfield riffs into twisted shapes . “ Walking with Diane ” is a blissful stroll featuring Holmstrom ’ s laid-back melody rendered with economical and uncomplicated sensibility , and wreathed in sublime tremolo . Steve Mugalian and Gregory Boaz are a perfectly intuitive rhythm section for Holmstrom ’ s spirited excursions on the Meters-esque “ Erlee Time .”
– Jeff Elbel
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SCORPIONS Rock Believer ( Vertigo Records )
German rock legends Scorpions have just released its mammoth 19th full-length album Rock Believer . With a sound based