Kai Strauss — In My Prime
Opener ‘Going To London’ features a horn section which was built around US saxophone virtuoso Sax Gordon and whilst it has a rich full sound it is more Las Vegas than London. The drum intro from Alex Lex on the title track sets the scene for this swinging tune that would not be out of place in a late-night jazz club atmosphere.
‘Keep Your Happy Home’ includes Christian Rannenberg on piano which blends well with the poignant lyrics. ‘Down On Bended Knee’ concerns a man begging a female who has left him to come back as he has realised that all he has is sleepless nights. ‘World Crisis Blues’ is of course inspired by the global pandemic as Strauss’s voice has this textured tone especially on the relatable ‘A Day Late and a Dollar Short’ with a solid bassline courtesy of Kevin Duvernay.
Closing track ‘Wait A Minute Baby’ is a slow blues complete with Thomas Feldmann on harmonica and proves that Kai Strauss really embraces the blues completely.
In conclusion, ‘In My Prime’ is well-executed with highly skilled musicians but seems to lack uniqueness and does not seem to be different enough from what his contemporaries are doing.
Kai Strauss’s new album ‘In My Prime’ is out now on Continental Blue Heaven. For more information visit www.kaistrauss.com
Jo Harrop – Beautiful Fools (Single)
Jazz vocalist and songwriter Jo Harrop will release her new album ‘ The Path Of A Tear’ in June 2024. The first single to be taken from the album is called ‘Beautiful Fools’.
Joanne Shaw Taylor – All The Way From America (Single)
British blues-rock artist Joanne Shaw Taylor has had a steady stream of single releases in 2023 “Sweet ‘Lil Lies’, “Black Magic” and “Wild Love” through Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records.
RHODES – Toothpaste (Single)
Hertfordshire-raised, London-based singer/songwriter RHODES first captured everyone’s attention with a series of EPs leading up to the release of his acclaimed 2015 debut album Wishes (via Sony Music).
Phoenix Lake – Fractured Wings (Single)
Phoenix Lake are a melodic metal four-piece from Nottingham, United Kingdom and they have recently released their new single ‘Fractured Wings’.
Steve Balsamo – Snow Angels (Single)
Vocalist and musician Steve Balsamo has been very busy in 2023 with not only his his solo music and collaborative projects but also his work with Grand Ambition at the Swansea Grand Theatre in Swansea, South Wales.
