The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton

Col. Bruce Hampton drapes a legacy of ground breaking musical experiments over the course of his storied career. As a poet, philosopher, leader and spiritual communicator of the southern alternative musical sound, Col. Bruce has always encouraged fellow musicians to remain free, real and honest within their creative endeavors. With a history of involvement in bands too long to list, Col. Bruce strikes back with The Codetalkers, also the name of his current band, who have been playing together since 1999.

Hampton’s voice carries a surreal power to get people to listen. The spine tingling opening mandolin riff of "I’m So Glad" builds into an anthemic rush of raw energy, and hooks you in deep. Any song with the Colonel’s voice gives it a legitimate vibe guaranteed to get your foot tapping along. The delta swamp boogie sticks in "Lima" a tune rich in the vain of War’s "Spill The Wine" with a taste of mean gumbo funk. Cohort Bobby Lee Rodgers, a multi instrumentalist with a voice born for a Hampton collaboration enriches the song offerings, which separates bar bands from club and theater acts, as the Codetalkers deserve the big stage. The southern charm of "Did My Time" is a road traveler’s day dream with an illustrious mandolin lead by Rogers that gives the number a domestic pinch of bliss. "Body In The Lake" one of the longer tunes on the recording, built around a steady beat and earnest vocals keeps you wondering and grooving. The jazzy foundation of "UFO" is a refreshing turn with a swingy beat that further keeps the recording sounding freshly experimental.

Although some of the tunes like "Beggin" and "Grandma" are a bit too predictable and "Saturn" is just plain sour, it’s the diversity of the record that gives The Codetalkers its most impressive characteristic, as the band is able to mix it up left and right. "Rice Clients" is right out of the Zappa book, with its humorous operatic look at Baltimore. This is no record for pretenders as Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers contine to redefine the spiritual connection between the musician and the listener. This is certainly an enlightening stripped down southern baked package with tasty ingredients.

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