Song Premiere: The Soul of John Black Gets Groovy & Slinky With “Can’t Be Helped”

“I have very eclectic musical taste, so I draw from all areas of music as well as everything else I come across in my daily life,” says John Bigham; “JB” – as he’s known to friends on his latest album as The Soul of John Black. His new eclectic mix of blues, soul, jazz and funk with slices of hip-hop grows arms and legs as it spins on the record player. Early In The Moanin’ will be released on February 3, 2017, on Cadabra Records through CD Baby.

After eight years in Fishbone and a stint with Miles Davis, The Soul Of John Black calls Early In The Moanin’; his “love letter to the blues. I’m taking it back to Mississippi to the Delta, in my own way.”

John himself produced and recorded Early In The Moanin’at Tiger One Studio in Los Angeles bringing in some ace session players like Jake Najor (Big Daddy Kane), Mark Levy (Duradero Drums), Greg Camp (Smash Mouth) and Curtis Sanford (The Deele). The slice of Hip-Hop comes from the genius mind of Richard “Segal” Huredia, a well-known sound mixer, known for his work on Dr. Dre’s seminal album, The Chronic. 

“I learned about music from my friends, my parents, and the radio,” JB says. “In Chicago a lot of soul-blues was popular and even doo-wop, but when I got turned on to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, as a guitar player there was no turning back.”

After eight years in Fishbone and a stint with Miles Davis, The Soul Of John Black calls Early In The Moanin’; his “love letter to the blues. I’m taking it back to Mississippi to the Delta, in my own way.”

Glide is proud to premiere “Can’t Be Helped,” (below) a slinky number that recalls the fierceness of Gary Clark Jr and the relentless soul of Kenny Wayne Shepherd. On this track JB simply but eagerly insists – “I was thinking about old school blues.” Old school it may be, but it still retains a modern urgency that fans of guitar driven rock will relish.

JB will be performing solo at the Folk Alliance International Conference February 17,18 in Kansas City, Mo and recently had a chance to play with Dexter Storey, Kamasi Washington and a bunch of other local L.A. greats on at tribute to the Wattstax event from the ‘70s.  As he recalls about playing with the great Miles Davis -” he made me more confident because he gives you the space and the trust be who you are and be at your best.” Early in The Moanin’ certainly champions greatness in its own art form of smokin’ blues/soul and stinging guitar leads that leave a lasting impression.”

 

 

 

 

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