Josh Smith – Don’t Give Up On Me (CrossCut Records).

The follow up to the acclaimed CrossCut debut, I’m Gonna Be Ready, Don’t Give Up On Me easily dispels the difficult second album syndrome. Filled with funky blues and soul such as Made For Me and the eponymous title track this album gets better with each listen. Josh is no mean guitar player and this is highlighted on the slow blues of The Middle and the Clapton-esque I’ve Always Been Good. The horn fuelled Letting You Go and Carry Me Through are standouts but the highlight is the closing track, That Ain’t Love, with its fuzzed vocal and tight guitar.

www.joshsmithguitar.com

www.crosscut.de

David Blue

The Kennedys – Closer Than You Know (Kennedys Music).

Largely unknown in the UK, Maura and Pete Kennedy have been acclaimed in the US for two decades but this is their first UK release since 1996. Close harmonies bring comparisons to The Corrs; Sign, Happy Again and Rhyme And Reason for example. U2’s Wild Honey and the Alex Chilton homage, Big Star Song reference The Byrds whilst Marina Dream is a fine example of Simon & Garfunkel style Folk. Pete’s guitar on Cradle To A Boat lifts the song and they turn to Folk Rock for Made Of Sand. Gentle folk appears on I’ll Come On Over and Winter Lies but Winter and Home are more haunting.



www.KennedysMusic.com



David Blue.



AJ Moore – Harmonics (FCL Recordings).


Debut album from the former Classical backing guitarist AJ Moore and he flits easily from Pop to Soul to Latin and Celtic. Surprisingly it is his voice that attracts more attention and this is highlighted by his strong opening on Moving On. He shows his range on the ballad Hypnotise and releases velvet tones on the smooth Soul of Just Like That. Calling You evokes thoughts of Al Stewart while Dreaming has a George Michael style delivery. Jazz influenced You Want Me hints towards The Beautiful South at times and the atmospheric, Celtic flecked Do You Like What You See is the standout track.

www.ajmooremusic.com





David Blue.