Sam Outlaw
Album: Angeleno
Label: Six Shooter
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.samoutlaw.com/

70's style country or California country, whatever it is Outlaw (real name Morgan) does, its unashamedly chilled, 1 part Glen Campbell, 1 part Don Williams and 1 part Jackson Browne. There's Tijuana horns, music to be listened to with tequila in hand and sand between your toes. A little bit Dr Hook, its relaxed, luxurious strings owe as much to Vegas lounges as Nashville's music row. The 'extras' are everywhere, dabs of stardust across the record, surf crashing the shore piano's or mariachi trumpets it is incredibly stylish.

Don't be lured into thinking this is a pastiche, it is not, more a re-imaging, a re-awaking of country's DNA, often ignored. It may not be 'cool', but with stuff this fine surely Outlaw heads up a posse trucking over the horizon to be the next big thing.

The album is gorgeous, upbeat, given all the drinking, lying and cheating that gets done. An album full of weepy fiddle, lush female harmonies and subtle banjo padding. 'I'm not jealous' is a broken hearted waltz, proof, if it were needed that Outlaws branch of the country tree is needed more than ever. Tears stream in bourbon as around the protagonist chairs are stacked, floors are sept, all the while a steel guitar leaks salt into the wound - Outlaw having the last laugh, "I'm not jealous of them, but embarrassed for you" - priceless.

With one of the best names in country, Outlaw has one of the best albums, an album I have been waiting for all year for UK release. Whilst he does move the genre on, it is not without frequent glances back over the shoulder to the past. Title track, 'Angeleno', with its Spanglish guitar, is a truly great love song, and testament to that fact that money can't buy love. It has a lovely piano break to a Bosa Nova / Rhumba beat, again with some heartbreaker strings.

It's an album of songs for the average man, about the emotions we all experience, but often fail to convey, 'Country Love Song' is the perfect anthem for the working man, focus lost on what matters, blinded as we all are on getting by, blasé about the familiar. Outlaw creates art for the worker bee, and songs for the worker bee to sing to the Queen in his/her life - "I've got an old fashioned love for you" if you will.

The fact is the album is a simple thing, exquisitely executed to a mouth-wateringly high standard, Outlaw has created an easy listen, and an easy listening joy; a graceful record, full of poise and elegance - not something country does well, but with Ry Cooder at the helm what else could you expect.

Rudie Humphrey