Fantastic blues/soul rock on second album from Buffalo, New York-based group, Handsome Jack
Produced by Zachary Gabbard of the Buffalo Killers, “Do What Comes Naturally” is the latest offering from Handsome Jack and features Bob Nave (of the legendary Lemon Pipers) on hammond organ. Packaged in a beautiful double album type card CD case with retro photos by Natalie Solotes, it impeccably meanders through deep dark mid-tempo boogies, smoky upbeat burners, and soulful feel-good rockers with a serious swagger.
The vocals on here remind me of 60’s R&B maestro A.C.Reed during his period recording for Nike Recordings. Couple that with some wonderful Muscle Shoals type Hammond from Nave, and it is a proper foot-tapper from start to finish. Highlights come thick and fast, but include the harmonica-led ‘Creepin’ and the Stax/Volt-influenced ‘Between the Lines’. Taking the simple line of “You and me”, it gets right down to basics and proves that you really don’t have to venture far to find the groove in this package – it is in every track.
Soulful stirrings then from Handsome Jack, which are guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Marvellous!