King Solomon Hicks - Harlem

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 10 / 4 / 2020

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This new outing from King Solomon Hicks has been produced by multiple Grammy Award winner Kirk Yano, who has worked with hip hop and soul/R&B greats like Miles Davis, Public Enemy and Mariah Carey. Some big names there to impress the listeners of this nice little package which showcases Hicks as a writer, player and interpreter. Hicks himself grew up in Harlem in New York, also surrounded by some huge names. His upbringing in that neighbourhood and amidst that wealth of talent seems to have paid off for him because ‘Harlem’ feels like an eleven-song salute to the folk he grew up alongside and with whom he has honed his considerable talent. The still young guitarist and singer created his own fierce and distinctive style because of it. As soon as you hear the man sing, it’s unbelievable to think he is just 24 years old. He has been playing for nine years. He started at the New Amsterdam Music Association a 105 year old jazz house in Harlem before being accepted into the Manhattan School of Music’s pre-college program. He then went on to the Harlem School of the Arts, eventually appearing in several newspapers, magazines and on various TV shows. This offering is drenched in blues originals such as the roadhouse ready '421 South Main', the gospel shuffle of 'Have Mercy on Me' and the aching instrumental 'Riverside Drive', but the album also sports musical staples such as 'Everyday I Have the Blues', 'It's Alright' and a Latin-tinged take on the Al Kooper-penned classic 'I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know'. There is a searing rendition of Sonny Boy Williamson's 'Help Me' which closes the album. Give this one a close listen and I guarantee you will make Hicks out to be way older than his 24 years. It is that thick and syrupy soaked in the blues.

Track Listing:-

1 I'd Rather Be Blind
2 Every Day I Have The Blues
3 What The Devil Loves
4 421 South Main
5 I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
6 Headed Back To Memphis
7 Love Is Alive
8 Have Mercy On Me
9 Riverside Drive
10 It's Alright
11 Help Me

Label Links:-

http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
https://twitter.com/MLG_Rocks
https://instagram.com/mascotlabelgroup/

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