2017 – Ham-Bone Music
By Phillip Smith;
Jan. 28, 2018
Listening to Hamilton Loomis always puts me
in a fantastic mood. His latest release,
Basics, is no exception. Ditching the double-entendres he’s been known
for in the past, Loomis states he wants to get back to the basics on
this album, taking on more direct and personal lyrics with more stripped down instrumentation
and simpler melodies. With that being
said, this album is jam-packed with a truckload full of bluesy guitar riffs and
rich funky grooves. Joined in the studio
by Armando Aussenac on drums, Fabian Hernandez on saxophone, and Sabrina
LaField on bass, Loomis takes on just about everything else instrumentally
on this thirteen track album: guitars, bass, harmonica, and keys.
From the beginning, Loomis has me bouncing
off the walls with the highly infectious rhythm on “Sugar Baby”. LaField sings this with a lot of soul, as
Loomis’ sweet guitar riffs are nicely topped with dabs of blues harmonica.
Loomis dedicated this track to Congenital
Hyperinsulinism International, an organization whose purpose is researching
and supporting families affected by this rare disease his three year old son
was diagnosed with.
The groove keeps going strong through “If I Would’ve”
as Loomis reflects upon his past decisions with second thoughts. “Candles and Wine” has a bit of Stevie
Wonder influence. Its rich R&B melody
and Loomis’ silky smooth vocals stand out front. The funk that pumps through “Cloudy Day”
instantly puts a smile on my face. It is
counter-balanced by the pining lyrics of long-distance love. Hernandez kicks it into high gear on
sax. I love every bit of it. Welcome to the roadhouse when Chris Eger
steps in with slide guitar on the monster blues-rocker “Ain’t What it Ain’t”. It sounds great alongside Loomis’
wailing harmonica.
Loomis
certainly achieved what he was trying to do with this album, bringing things
back to the basics. I like this new
direction a lot.
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In 2012, I reviewed Hamilton Loomis' DVD Live at the Hub for Blues Review Magazine's online presence BluesWax, which no longer exists. In 2015, I archived the review on my blog. You can read that review by clicking on the following link.
