Return Of The G, The

To anyone who loves '60s British soul, Geno Washington was the man. Fronting the Ram Jam Band, he poured it out, better live than on disc -- Britain's version of James Brown. The biggest surprise isn't so much that he's back -- everyone comes back these days, it seems -- but that he's done it in such searing fashion, owning very little of his past, and creating a powerful new sound. It's apparent from the opener, the mysteriously titled "Memicelfandi," which has Washington in a perfect, husky voice on a soulful groove mixed with screaming guitars, and a thoroughly modern sound. The nearest the album comes to the old days is on "Blues Master," which could have come straight form the Chicago blues songbook, but with more of a soul feel. Elsewhere, Latin beats get a look on "Walking With the Gods" and "Chill It Up," showing that Carlos Santana had it right more than 30 years ago. Washington might be older, but he really hasn't lost a step in all these years. His voice has aged like great whiskey, and he can still cut it competing against a much younger generation. The "G" is back indeed! ~ Chris Nickson|