On his second CD after leaving the international jazz jam juggernaut Heavy Metal Horns, Thaddeus Hogarth returns with another award-winning decalogue of grooves. "That Was Yesterday" has the wah-wah-fed guitar lines of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle." "She Loves Me" features a Cameo line that's Kool for the whole Gang. "Trying to Believe" combines Kravitz-y ache with Hogarth's Stevie Wonder-like blues harp. The first single, "Cold Shack", warrants a guest spot by Grammy nominee Sister Carol and the appreciative closing tracks, "Thank You" and "Don't Put It Down", may even warrant a bluesy tear or two.
Combining Hogarth's satin vocals and soulful guitars with the bass lines of Boston Pops member Dave Buda, the on-time percussion of Joey Scrima, and the personal production touches of Christopher Wellington, Hogarth references the likes of Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, Rufus, and himself in a most well-educated funk/pop/soul/R&B album.
Hogarth is at Harpers Ferry on April 6.