Supersonic Blues Machine - 'Voodoo Nation'

The band are still based around the rhythm section of Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, John Fogerty, Michelle Branch, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more) and Fabrizio Grossi (Conspiracy, Nina Hagen, Steve Vai, Starbreaker) but this is the first studio album to feature the UK’s Kris Barras on lead guitar and vocals – he replaced Lance Lopez in 2018 and was featured on the live album ‘Road Chronicles’. As is normal for this band, a plethora of star-name guitarists are also on hand to augment the sound. Over the 12 tracks there are guest appearances from Ana Popovic, Charlie Starr, Eric Gale, Joe Louis Walker, Josh Smith, King Solomon Hicks, Kirk Fletcher and Sonny Landreth.

Musically the album doesn’t break any trends. It’s funky with soul and a good dollop of rock grit, but most of all its blues. Grossi provides a crisp production that allows all of the parts to be heard at the right times.

The pick of the tracks for me includes the title song ‘Voodoo Nation’, which grooves along nicely with all of the band’s influences in the mix and good use of backing vocals to emphasise the chorus. The use of an oriental phrasing in the backing is an interesting idea and it fits well with the song. Lyrically, the song tells us to get up and push back, that we can do better, and we don’t have to be at the mercy of those who tell us what to do. What more would you want a blues tune to do?

‘8 Ball Lucy’ was the lead track from the album and there is a video on YouTube to accompany it. Sonny Landreth guests on this track and he adds some nice slide guitar to the mix. The song itself is familiar territory for the blues, re- telling the tale of how the Devil will disguise himself to get you where he wants you.

I’d also highlight ‘Do It Again’, which is a rocking track featuring a particularly fine contribution from Ana Popovic. There are some songs which step away from the usual SBM mould in places. Charlie Starr helps steer the song ‘All Our Love’ towards a bluegrass kind of vibe, which won’t surprise any fans of Blackberry Smoke.

Overall, this is another excellent slab of funky Blues-Rock from the band and is well worth a listen.