Sloleak delivers delta blues with a 90's style

The '90s have been a decade where technology has taken over everything that we see and do; it has even affected what music we listen to. Everything from jazz to rock has had some shard of technology thrown into it. Now we see that this is happening to the blues with the release of SloLeak's album, "When The Clock Strikes 12."

This duo is a collaboration of longtime producer/guitarist Danny Kortchmar, who has produced albums for James Taylor, Billy Joel, Neil Young, and renowned R&B singer Charlie Karp, who has performed with the likes of Buddy Miles and with his own band, The Dirty Angels.

SloLeak formed in 1994 when Kortchmar and Karp, who were both playing shows in their hometown of Westport, Conn., were introduced by a mutual friend. One would think that a producer of pop artists would perform the same style of music that he produces, but this album is a passionate foray into swampy blues with a jump-swing feel. The duo took their name from the title of an album by legendary blues pianist Lafayette Leake, and they invoke his spirit and heartfelt lyrics on this album.

The album has a complete, full sound, especially for a duo, with the help of a few samples and a steady drum-machine track in each song.

The album begins with a retrospective look at our society, complete with a Staple Singers sample, that makes for a somber beginning. However, this first track is not representative of the entire album. Such tracks as the jump-swing standard "Drunk" and the swampy blues track "Big Bad Luck," highlight the songwriting and producing talents of Kortchmar and the gravely, textured vocals of Karp, giving the album an exciting, groovy feel. The samples enhance the music talents of this duo by accentuating certain guitar parts with a saxaphone accompaniment or adding a brass section to the middle of a song to give it a fuller sound. Karp's vocals are reminiscent of blues talents Jonny Lang and Stevie Ray Vaughn, while the lyrics have a festive feel in the way of Cab Calloway. Even though drum machines and samples are a huge presence on this album, the delta blues style is apparent with the slide guitar work and the heavy, foot-stomping beat. Songs about love, liquor and loss give the album a true blues feel.

The album, SloLeak's second on TVT Records, relies heavily on the vocals of Karp and the guitar of Kortchmar to lay down a foundation of blues. This foundation is then entwined with other musical styles, giving the album a patchwork feel. The album reminds me of early Beck albums, especially his "One Foot in The Grave" sessions and the swampy feel of "Doo Rag."

For anyone who loves blues or jazz, this CD is new territory that can be explored by even the stodgiest of fans and can also be appreciated by guitar freaks and beat heads. This is one release that won't leave my CD player for a while.