ROOTS

Latest releases reviewed

HAZY MALAZE Blackout Love Fargo Records ****
One minute he's the sensitive singer-songwriter type, all long hair and laid-back reflections, the next American Neal Casal is fronting a gritty 1970s-style blues/soul power trio, angling his raw-sounding guitar into myriad funk patterns and staccato crash chord changes. Casal's new departure actually dates back to 2003, when this three-piece band released their first album. I didn't hear it, but Blackout Love is impressive, growing in stature with familiarity. The territory is classic American late 1960s, early 1970s rocked-up blues and soul with a little reggae thrown in to soften the blows - bands such as Kings of Leon are gaining a deserved reputation revisiting it. Despite their awful name, Casal and friends Jeff Hill (bass) and Dan Fadel (drums) could be up there with them. Their playing is appealingly loose but toned up with spiky solos, confident interplay and some chunky songs.www.hazymalaze.com
Joe Breen

RECKLESS KELLY Wicked Twisted Love Sugar Hill Records ****
Reckless Kelly look and sound like a bunch of Americans who might go on the razz in this great little country. And this they did, to judge by Seven Nights in Eire, which turns out to be much less cringe-inducing than expected. Indeed, Wicked Twisted Road is a strong and well-balanced collection of songs in the roots/country domain, with a hard-edged rock sensibility underpinning the music, not unlike one of producer Ray Kennedy's other clients, Steve Earle. Subtitled "A saga of love lost, love found and the wicked twisted road along the way", Willy Braun's songs are full of colour and character, and the Austin, Texas band rise to their task, infusing the 13 tracks with energy, wit and flair. Loads of highlights, but check out These Tears, the epic Motel Cowboy Show or the soft memories of Dogtown.www.recklesskelly.com
Joe Breen