Alvin Youngblood Hart: Start with the soul (Hannibal)
The third album by this acclaimed young Californian bluesman shows no trace of any slackening in the pace of his progress. This is an album of power, poise and skill. Youngblood's debut showcased him as an acoustic guitarist, but since then he has switched on his amp with a vengeance. This collection features only one acoustic guitar track, but it would be churlish to harp on about any resulting loss because Youngblood offers so much class in every other department. He prefers not to be termed a blues singer because he plays "music", and he backs up this assertion with a collection which, while borrowing heavily from the blues tradition from Chicago to the Delta, throws in a heap of curved balls as well, from soul rifts to twangy country.
- Joe Breen
Vocal Sampling: Una Forma Mas (Sire)
Vocal sampling is the rather bland name for a far from prosaic group. Basically, this sextet from Havana is a brilliantly sophisticated, crisply skilful, witty and funny collective whose range encompasses their native Cuban idioms and rhythms and the instruments they employ - except there's none here. It's all done by voice; bass, bongo, congas, timbales, trumpet, trombone, clave and what they describe as "minor percussion" all come from the group's individual and collective vocal chords. There is nothing minor about their talent, however, as visitors to Vicar Street, where they are down to perform next Tuesday, will discover. Do yourself a favour.
- Ray Comiskey