Laurence Jones
Album: Temptation
Label: Ruf
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.laurencejonesmusic.com/

Take a precarious young English blues rock guitarist , fly him to the States, stick him in a legendary studio with some ace sessions guys, and have twelve tracks produced by an award-winning musician - what you end up with is an album called Temptation.

First of all this is a guitar hound's album. There are searing solos everywhere and the guitar is high up in the mix. Nothing wrong with that.

It was interesting to watch Laurence's promo video on his website which gave an insight into the recording process. Producer Mike Zito, from Royal Southern Brotherhood reveals in the liner notes he had to coax from Mr Jones to give more than blues shredding guitar.

The recording was all done in one week. It's raw and has a great live feel to it. The energy jumps out the speakers.

The rhythm section from Royal Southern Brotherhood - Yonrico Scott on drums and Charlie Wooton on bass - keep it all together There's the addition of harmonica and Hammond organ on a couple of tracks but mostly it's the central unit who rock on.

It's nearly all riff-based electric blues rock. The exception is the delightful Whisper in The Wind, with Zito playing understated slide alongside.

In his liner notes Zito says Laurence Jones is an amazing emerging artist. I have to agree. At the age of 21 he has the world at his feet. His vocals may not be the strongest and his songs lack depth and refinement but if you want some badass guitar playing then you'll have to go far to hear someone who's in the same league as Laurence Jones.

John Knighton