Eric Bibb
Album: Blues People
Label: Dixiefrog
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.ericbibb.com

It seems as though every time I turn around Eric's released another new record - and every release is both conceived and assembled with a surfeit of loving care and to a nigh unrivalled standard of production and presentation. Blues People, Eric's latest project, is no exception. It was inspired by LeRoi Jones (Amiri Bakara)'s classic book of that name, and the songs within focus on some of the history of African Americans, the original blues people - in Eric's words, "as a reminder of what we've been through and where the music is coming from". The record also forms a significant tribute to the tribe of blues troubadours of which Eric's a humble member, and the sessions feature the not-inconsiderable talents of several of Eric's friends and heroes.

And it's tasty, tasty, tasty! Could easily be one of Eric's best albums to date too. It's consistently spiritual and uplifting in spite of the fact that blues is arguably at the very core of the musical expression; it positively oozes with deep soul and genuine feeling, and establishes a quick and easy rapport with the listener almost without trying, not least through its air of quiet accomplishment and Eric's always-evident comparably easy rapport with each and every one of his special guest artists. With so many albums that include a parade of guests just tacked on to sell units these days, it's so refreshing to encounter Eric's approach, whereby the guests' contributions are both genuinely felt and brilliantly integrated, whatever the sub-genre (roots, soul, gospel, blues) - and Eric's writing for any combination of these talents ensures optimum use of their unique qualities. Just past midway through the disc, a revisit of Eric's own classic gospel anthem Needed Time from over two decades back, brings together all the various rootsy strands, from the Taj Mahal intro through into the convivial shuffle of the main number that brings in the Blind Boys Of Alabama and Ruthie Foster.

Gorgeous - as is every single track in its own delightful way, from the Martin Luther King overtones of Out Walkin' and the funky brassy jive of Remember The Ones (featuring Linda Tillery) and the all-important message of Home (set to stirring African rhythms); from the reflective Where Do We Go? (which features Leyla McCalla) through to the other emotional extreme, the almost obscenely mouthwatering nonsense of Chocolate Man (with Mr Dark Brown himself, Guy Davis).But my own personal favourite is the pindrop-intense Rosewood, the tragic true story of an African American community obliterated by the fire of racial hatred, this cut incidentally sporting a luminous, glistening string arrangement of true intelligence and majesty that contributes greatly to the song's ability to transcend its humble 12-bar format. Here, as throughout the disc, every last detail of Eric's music is lovingly, faithfully captured and registered, while the trademark impeccably-turned recording quality and performances, while faultless, never sacrifice any degree of spontaneity, whether in terms of overall level of invention or actual blending of telling textures and creative interaction with his fellow-musicians.

Eric really is the most authentic of all "roots ambassadors", his integrity, and pre-eminence in the roots music arena, cannot in any way be underestimated, no sir.

David Kidman