Bell Hilari Traitors Son

One of the greatest living Chicago blues guitarists, Lurrie Bell's last two CDs have been about stretching him (successfully) to showcase the breadth as well as the magnitude of his art. However for this project he just wanted to get back to the solid foundation of Chicago-styled traditional guitar blues, done with his rare blend of reverence, involvement and individuality and framed largely by his working band…

Early in 2012 guitarist Diego Prato formed his first original project, consisting of a trio with bass (Arron Bell) and drums (Joe Luckin). His background includes jazz, funk, Latin, soul and hip hop music. These elements are all important influences, shared by all members, in a sound that is jazz-based but that has an interest in, and a vision towards, the contemporary. This is expressed in a series of original compositions as well as interpretations of standards and songs that range from John Coltrane to John Scofield to Curtis Mayfield.

Though born in New Jersey, smooth soul diva Madeline Bell enjoyed her greatest success in the United Kingdom (where she began living in 1963), and her first album, 1967's Bell's a Poppin', is a thoroughly enjoyable example of British pop record-making at its most poised and professional. Bell had a world-class voice and sang supper-club soul in the manner of Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield (the latter of whom was a friend of Bell's and often used her as a backing vocalist); those looking for Southern soul grit will be disappointed, but Bell's a Poppin' is a marvelous example of the British equivalent of Brill Building pop. The arrangements are clever and sophisticated, the musicians are spot-on throughout, producer John Franz adds just the right amount of polish without rubbing away the personality of the music, and Bell's vocals tell a story just beautifully, boasting smarts and understated passion while maintaining a firm sense of control and balance throughout.