2026 – Blind Pig Records
Release Date : Feb. 27, 2026
By Phillip
Smith; Feb. 10,
2026
It is always a treat to hear
new music from Altered Five Blues Band, the blues band from Milwaukee
that brings everyone to their feet every time they play. Hammer & Chisel,
their latest studio album, consists of eleven all-original songs produced by
multi-Grammy winner Tom Hambridge and recorded over four days
this past summer at The Switchyard in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to the band (Jeff Taylor/vocals, Jeff Schroedl/guitar, Mark
Solveson/bass, Steve Huebler/keyboards, and Alan Arber/drums),
the album title itself serves as a metaphor for "hammering away, scraping
and chiseling our way forward, carving out our own corner of the blues". They
certainly hit the nail on the head with that analogy. For bonus points, this album
also features three-time Blues Music Award winner Jason Ricci on
harmonica for three tracks.
With a jolt of high-energy, the band bursts out the gate with “I Got It Good” and I joyously find myself onboard listening to Taylor’s magnificent voice. With special guests Max Abrams on saxophone and Julio Diaz on trumpet this one is an enormous song which I absolutely love. The slow bluesy goodness of “Dare Me to Do It” follows up next with Ricci on harmonica. Topped with Huebler’s finesse at the keys and Schroedl’s searing guitar, this makes for an absolute fabulous listen. Taking a low and slow simmered approach, Taylor and the guys suavely deliver “Lotta Love Left in Me”. I can’t help but sway my head back and forth when this tune hits. Title-track “Hammer and Chisel” barrels down the track with an infectious funky groove. The propelling sound of Huebler’s Stax-influenced organ fills the air as Schroedl gets down on guitar. Reading the daily news hits me hard lately. It seems to just get worse and worse. It can certainly put a wet blanket on one’s soul. Listening to “Headline Blues” a timely ode to that very thing at least makes me feel like I’m not so alone. The album closes in a soulful wave of love and unity with ‘The Will of Man”. It’s a gorgeous and spiritual song which prompts much-needed self-reflection.
Hammer & Chisel is a tremendous album from start to finish. Altered Five Blues Band scores big again.
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Photo by Jessica Kaminski 
Photo by Luke Schroedl
For more information about Altered
Five Blues Band, visit their website at https://www.alteredfive.com/
To read more PhillyCheeze reviews for Altered Five Blues Band, visit https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Altered%20Five%20Blues%20Band