Black John

Soul Of John Black | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Eclecto Groove Records
• ASIN: B001DZDTCM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,163 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amazing - (the harbinger of)... a whole new brand of soul. --Rolling Stone

A testament to the strength of African American music and the undeniable influence of the blues... Bigham's anguished wail will grab your gut and turn it inside out. --Esquire Magazine

...a crisp, confident collection of soul, hip hop and rock that's redefined by right between the eyes vocals and guitar as well as, superb musicianship. --Wall Street Journal

Product Description

The Soul of John Black is a celebration of the African American musical heritage. On Black John, JB masterfully combines soul, gospel, funk and hip-hop, while tracing its roots all the way back to its humble origins - the blues. JB infuses his uniquely crafted music with contemporary urban rhythms and hauntingly earthy acoustic slide guitar which at once pays tribute to a bygone era of such legendary figures as Leadbelly, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, while boldly crossing over into new innovative territories and sonic frontiers. Backed by notable musicians Adam McDougal on keys (Black Crowes, Macy Gray, Maroon 5, Nikka Costa), Oliver Charles on drums (Ben Harper, Rhythm Roots All-Stars), Scott Seiver on drums (Nikka Costa, Inara George), Jake Najor on drums (Carl Denson, Connie Price, Breakestra), Shawn Davis on bass (Beck, Nikka Costa), Davey Chegwidden on percussion (Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Bitter Sweet, Ghost Face Killer, Big Daddy Kane), and Bill Botrell on 2nd guitar (Grammy winning producer for Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, and many others), The Soul of John Black has reached a new plateau; transcending the crossroads and arriving upon an unexplored intersection on the aural highway. It's soul music for a whole new generation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Seamless blend of blues, R&B, funk and soul, February 19, 2009

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Black John (Audio CD)

The third album from guitarist John Bigham (Fishbone, Miles Davis) continues to explore the intersection of blues, R&B, funk and soul. Having co-founded the group with bassist Chris Thomas for 2003's eponymous debut, he assumed the lion's share of artistic control on 2007's The Good Girl Blues, and here provides the songs, vocals, guitar and production. Blues and gospel provide the underlying progressions, but this is anything but "straight eight," with electric bass and piano guiding the music towards the blend of soul, R&B and funk heard on the group's first album. But neither is this a mash-up of styles, as the elements are smoothly absorbed into the whole, rather than stitched together patchwork-style. Bigham's guitar is here, but it's his elegant and thoughtful vocals that are the album's star, with elements of Al Green, Prince, Sly Stone Lenny Kravitz, and Isaac Hayes all figuring into the results. Fans of old-school funk, `70s soul and contemporary blues will all find this to their liking. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

5.0 out of 5 stars best r&b disc i heard this year!, August 20, 2009

By 

Marc Kuptsow (philadelphia,pa.usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black John (Audio CD)

usually i don't get thrilled by this type of music,but,man this record clicked on all cylinders! great songs,performance,and a feel
for the blues i don't always hear everyday.there isn't much more i know of this artist,so you can take my word for the outstanding
work on this album.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CD revoew, December 25, 2009

By 

B. Winkelman "bnwink" (Bismarck ND) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black John (Audio CD)

I really liked two songs. The others were okay, but nothing stood out. However, nothing sucked. After a few listens, the CD just didn't grab me enough to keep on listening. That being said, I would purchase the next CD by this group. They do not lack talent. When they're good, they're very, very good. Next time, hopefully more than twice.