Electric Swamp Funkin Blues

Florida musician Selwyn Birchwood is one of the most soulful bluesmen on the planet. Electric Swamp Funky Blues is his fifth album for Alligator Records. The set title reflects the self-described hallmark of his original music. Hes stepped out from the production umbrella of Tom Hambridge, who helmed his last two albums, and does the job himself. Birchwoods studio band is an octet. In addition to himself on guitar and lap steel, longtime collaborator Regi Oliver plays reeds and woodwinds while Donald "Huff" Wright helms the bass. Newcomers include drummer Henly Conley III, keyboardist John Hetherton, and backing vocalists Brianna Luitzi and Taylor Opie. Eli Bishop guests on violin, viola, and cello. Second cut "The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin Blues" perfectly illustrates Birchwoods M.O. His high, biting, effects-laden lap steel is joined by baritone sax, ecstatic B-3 organ, and a deep funk vamp from the rhythm section. Birchwood and vocalists deliver the gospel groove in a spirited chorus adorned by handclaps and a wailing lap steel solo. "Damaged Goods" is a raw soul-blues that marries the club bandstand feel to powerfully emotional lyrics. A moody organ, shuffling rhythm section, and saxophones frame the singer before and after his jazzy, Grant Green-esque solo. "All Hail the Algorithim," decrying the changes brought by AI, might have been cliche if it werent for the seamless meld of modern electric blues and classy vintage Southern soul (think David Porter and Isaac Hayes). Birchwoods lap steel is Hendrixian as the rhythm section holds down the horn-punctuated groove. "Labour of Love" is a soul ballad about hard-won love and family commitment, showcasing the guitarists baritone croon, his backing singers, tenor sax, whispering organ, and strings. Two tracks later, "What I’ve Been Accused Of" melds Delta and strolling Chicago blues with pumping piano, a walking bassline, reeds, and a meld of electric six-string and lap steel framing the vocal. The funk vamp in "Talking Heads," another topical tune about politicians, is an update of Johnny "Guitar" Watsons greasy sound wrapped in B-3, a swaggering vocal, and feral guitar interplay above funky keys and breaking drums. "Soulmate" weaves a soulful lyric and melody with burning electric blues. Birchwoods blazing guitar adds depth and dimension to his vocal in expressing patience, hope, and encouragement. "The Struggle Is Real" closes with an arresting combination of Piedmont-style blues, folk, and soul. The illuminating reeds and winds in the backdrop resonate under the tom-tom-heavy drum kit, sweeping strings, piano, B-3, and a guidepost bassline. Combined, they frame Birchwood, Luitzi, and Opie in their testifying gospel croon, as fuzzed-out wah-wah guitar adds a melodic heft under the singers combined voices. All of Birchwoods stylistic trademarks are on offer here, but Electric Swamp Funkin Blues stands out due to his organic-sounding production, passionate vocal arrangements, and his willingness to fully embrace heritage sounds as part and parcel of his resonant 21st century blues creation process. ~ Thom Jurek