CD REVIEW: Mikki Free – Tattoo Burn – Redux

CD REVIEW: Mikki Free – Tattoo Burn – Redux
Mysterium Blues Records
May 2017
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8/10

From the exalted superfunk soul power of opening track God Is On The Phone, through to the guitar supreme groove of There’s A Hole In The Heart Of The Blues and the simple family fun of Five Minutes Till Christmas, Tattoo Burn – Redux is the sound of an artist by both name and nature, being free.

Channelling the spirit of Hendrix’s latter years through his bluesy licks (a scorching cover of Hey Baby (The New Rising Sun) is sixteen minutes of awesome), and venturing into enough jazz, soul and funk rock byways to make Prince proud (RIP), Free sings and plays up a storm.

His warm, honeyed vocals, searing, always tasteful – yet full of restraint and unleashed energy – guitar playing, and versatility ensure that there’s not a moment wasted throughout these eleven great tracks.

Free has assembled an auspicious line-up here, too: you can hear former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, Free’s former Shalimar band-mate Howard Hewett, and the amazing drumming of Cindy Blackman-Santana amongst others.

Category: CD Reviews