Journeyman blues guitarist and singer James Kinds has played all over the upper Midwest USA, cutting a few sides for small labels over the years. Getting a chance to record for the venerable Chicago label Delmark, he makes the best of it by producing a fine album filled with strong singing and excellent musicianship.

Kinds has a fleet fingered guitar style that is exciting to listen to along with a deep and passionate voice steeped in gospel and soul. He has a fine group backing him as well featuring saxophone legend Eddie Shaw on a few tracks. This is a lengthy CD that covers a number of styles from rockin’ blues to slow down in the alley blues and soulful songs. Highlights of the album were the blasting song “Crack Headed Woman” whose wicked beat and up-tempo nature belies the dark subject matter contained within. “Peggy Sue” and “Body Slam” keep the groove moving and prove why Kinds is a popular live attraction in Chicago and his adopted home of Iowa. “Mason Dixon Line Blues” slows things down for a story song about Kinds emigration to Chicago from Mississippi in the late 1950’s.

James Kinds is a real find, he is a very talented musician who is getting a long overdue chance at the limelight. Hopefully this excellent album will lead to more touring and recording opportunities. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.