Mike Zito & The Wheel
Album: Keep Coming Back
Label: RUF
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.mikezito.com

After departing the American supergoup Royal Southern Brotherhood last year, guitarist Mike Zito is setting off down a new road with the release of Keep Coming Back.

He's teamed up with The Wheel - that's Jimmy Carpenter (sax/vocals), Scot Sutherland (bass) and Lewis Stephens (keys).

The majority of songs are either written or co-written by Zito. The exceptions are Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bootleg and Bob Seger's Get Out Of Denver.

From the opening bars of the title track this album wears its heart on its sleeve - sliding guitars and brass combine to create a great sounding up-tempo opener.

Chin Up is a guitar-led romp, Get Busy Living is more subtle AOR number, Early In the Morning signals a change in style - chiming guitar and polished vocals and a laid-back approach.

Production by Trina Shoemaker (ex-Sheryl Crow) throughout is crisp and no more so than on I Was Drunk, a poignant acoustic polemic, with vocals shared with Anders Osborne. Beautifully crafted.

The laid-back approach is maintained with Lonely Heart, with its simple structure allowing the song room to breathe.

While Zito's guitar playing features throughout it is also his stellar vocals that shine on this album.

The tempo is back up again with Girl From Liberty - a veritable slice of America life. Very Springsteen-ish.

The album is tastefully packaged with full lyrics included, which is very welcome.

The band take the opportunity to rock out with Seger's Get Out Of Denver, Nothin' But The Truth kicks off with tasty guitar and maintains the high quality that flows through this album, it's back on the slide for the atmospheric Cross The Border.

There's plenty of variety across this album - this not your average blues rock by a long shot.

The longest track is What's On Your Mind, a classic slow burner with oozing sax and strong vocals.

The band return to their rocking heart on the final track - CCR's Bootleg - with great performances from all concerned. Just listen to that sax!

This is a strong album from one of America's finest blues players that offers so much. The road ahead looks very promising.

John Knighton