Swiss singer and guitarist Philipp has journeyed a long way over the last couple of decades, from the leader of a central European blues band with a decent reputation to an internationally known and respected solo act. This release proves that the acclaim is certainly justified as it mainly presents Philipp as a singer – Philipp’s mentor in the nineties was none other than Johnny Copeland, whose ‘I Got A Love’ is given a slow, sparse, achingly soulful treatment which shows that Philipp certainly learned all he could from the Texas bluesman. Elsewhere there are traditional styled blues, modern blues, and many tracks that hover between soul and blues, in the best tradition of the ‘Robert Cray out of O. V. Wright’ style. 



This is no coincidence either as Philipp, besides using his own regular band, has drafted in some who were prime movers in establishing the successful Cray sound (and of course bassist Richard Cousins is a regular member of Philipp’s band anyway). The result is certainly to be in consideration for blues album of 2008.



Norman Darwen