“Curtis Pope’s trumpet just rips the air at times and the impact of the drums puts you in the front row...great music startlingly well recorded,” says AudioEnz. Midnight Blue combines urban blues, organ trio jazz, and R&B. Artie and Selena are the soul-drenched singers up front, spicing their tight harmony with salty innuendo. The band is a who’s who of great R&B sidemen, featuring Wilson Pickett’s trumpeter and organist, “Groove” Holmes’ guitarist, and James Brown’s drummer. Their locked-tight groove reflects 15 years of touring together. Tunes include “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Goin’ To Chicago,” and the title track.
1. What You Won’t Do For Love -Listen to Sample
2. Ain't No Sunshine (B. Withers) -Listen to Sample
3. Red Top/Goin’ To Chicago (W.C.Basie/J.Rushing)-Listen to Sample
4. My One And Only Love (G.B.Wood)
5. Inner City Blues (M.Gaye)
6. Hard Times (P.F.Mitchell)
7. Suicide Is Painless (M.Altman/J.Mandel)
8. Heartbreak
9. Bring It On Home To Me
10. You’re Mine (We Belong Together)
Man is this good. I mean really, really good. Buy two because you'll wear the first one out. Sometimes you find one of those rare commodities - great music startlingly well recorded and boy, oh boy, this is just such an album.
Let me calm down a little. Midnight Blue are trumpeter Curtis Pope, Artie Sherman is on the B3 and he shares the vocal duties with Selena McDay. Add in drums and guitar and you've got one very, very tight R&B/soul band. This is music that could come straight out of the late 60's/early 70's such is the feel and style these guys have.
Upbeat and down they put it together. Ain't No Sunshine, Inner City Blues, What You Won't Do For Love, My One And Only Love, they're all here and presented with passion. When Selena cranks it up on the medley of Red Top/Goin' To Chicago/Kansas City it's impossible not to be jumping out of your seat. Listen to all the years working together when Artie and Selena are singin' up a storm on Sam Cookes Bring It OnHome To Me.
Following on from my review of Mapleshade's Music Festival last month I have to say that this recording is one of the most live sounding I've ever heard. Curtis Pope's trumpet just rips the air at times and the impact of the drums puts you right in the front row.
Okay, I can't say much more. This is authentic, infectious R&B/Soul that will bring a huge smile to your face. It's the real deal folks - get in quick.
