There is more cool people in Switzerland than one would like to think. I witnessed that last weekend, and now Mr. Philipp Fankhauser's new album is spinning in my player. 15 years after the blues guitar player cut his first cd "Blues For The Lady".

Nearly a trademark of his, he again reunites a squad of musicians to implement his notion of the blues. The list of over 20 (!) participating musicians is too long to mention, but that they have been working with cracks like John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Al Green, Otis Rush, Etta James and many more, needs to be mentioned. The professional level is proportionate.

If one's name is Fankhauser, he can not be too far away from a funky groove and "Ain't Gonna Give It Up" sets a groovy start. The rhythm section delivers such an appealing groove that it's easy for guitars and horns to shine with short licks and solos. None the less they perform on the highest level.
More in a blues vain is the next tune "Cut Off My Right Arm that, like the third track "Flyin' High", was penned by Fankhausers mentor, the late Johnny Copeland.
 
You'd expect this "black voice" from a black singer rather than from a Swiss guy. Probably a result of his many collaborations with many blues greats, and his residing in the United States. Very favorable for a bluesy ballad like "Members Only". Actually a piano piece, but the great saxophone parts are awsome.

The gentlemen like to rock as well. Still with a certain elegant restraint, but a Texas Rock SRV style as is the title track is very enjoyable. "Home Town" celebrates a hypnotic beat with percussion instruments and acoustic guitars, and it feels like riding through Nevada on a horse-wagon. They're on the way to Texas and with "Going To Dallas" they definitely get there. Nice Boogie, that drags you along. Interesting how the horns play the parts that in other blues bands are typically played by harmonicas.
Fankhauser honors his name in the funky "Welcome To The Real World". Well, many blues brothers would like to do this. Whether it's a Hammond B3 solo or razor sharp horn parts, everything is right on the  money.

The ballad "Who's Gonna Sing The Blues For You?" can't quite keep up with the first one, but the vocals are still impressive. "Going To Dallas" on the other hand is well suited to move tired bones. It shuffles, swings and drives, and leaves you no choice but to move your hips. Solomon Burke's "Down In The Valley" was recorded live at the club "Muehle Holziken" in Bern and that's a good thing. Philipp Fankhauser sounds even more "black" as he anyway does throughout the whole album, and the band plays great, dynamic and with a lot of authority. If that joint wasn't cooking that night, I don't know.

An all around perfect blues funk soul album, that I can recommend even to non-blues lovers.

Epi Schmidt, Home of Rock