2018 – Ghetto Surf Music
By Phillip Smith; March 9, 2019
There’s a certain essence to the music of Billy
Hector. He writes great songs, his
guitar performances rock the house, and his voice is made for the blues. I love his work. This New Jersey blues artist has topped
himself once again with his latest album, Some
Day Baby. It’s not just the blues which
Hector is a master of, but the man also knows his way around funk and
soul in a tremendous way as well.
Once I hear the horns regally lead “Wizard of Babylon”
in on the first track, I know I’m in store for a delightful listen. Hector’s guitar sizzles as the groove
kicks in. With Winston Royce on
bass guitar, and Val Romaine on drums, title track “Some Day Baby” is absolutely
fabulous. It’s magnificently punched up
with horn accompaniment from Tom Labella and John Martin, and magically
charged with an energy much akin to that of the Red Hot Chili Peppers taking
on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”.
Another favorite is the George Clinton-esque, funk-infused “Butt
Naked and Funk”. Bassist Erik Boyd
and drummer Rich Monica pair up for the rhythm section on this wonderful
jam. There’s an unavoidable intoxicating
rhythm which draws me into “Creeper”.
The deep tones in Hector’s vocals are superb as he sings this
song of infidelity, which by the way is enjoyably topped off with keys from John
Ginty. The way Hector transforms "Moonlight in Her Eyes" from a rolling blues tune to a Beatles-like orchestrated number is pure genius.
Hector
quite nicely takes on a couple of traditional tunes with “On Your Bond”, originally
released by Blind Willie Johnson in 1930 , and “Alabama Bound”. “Whisky”, a dark and brilliant tune dances
atop a menacing atmosphere created by David Nunez on keys and drummer Larry
Crockett. Hector plays this
with an emotional bravado. The album comes to a lively close with “Road to
Happiness”, a soulful duet with his wife and co-producer Suzan Lastovica.
Some
Day Baby, a terrific album from start to finish, is definitely
an addition to my favorites of 2018.
---
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. www.billyhector.com
