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KARL DEMATA BAND - Cross The Mountain; KARL DEMATA BAND - Cross The Mountain
Topic Started: Aug 9 2011, 02:27 PM (211 Views)
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KARL DEMATA BAND
Cross The Mountain

Green Lizard 2011

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This here is the debut solo album from Karl Demata, who those of you with a keen ear for the sounds of the underground (i.e. not me), may recall as a member of UK prog / post rockers Crippled Black Phoenix. But here, he's abandoned that for a power trio format that harks back to the early seventies, when the likes of Mountain and The Groundhogs were mixing up blues, psychedelia and hard rock. And he does it pretty well.

The riffs are mainly rooted in the world of blues-rock, and it's on the solos and guestiong keys of Tim Howes that things take on a different sheen. His accomplices in the trio, Chris Heilmann on bass and Merijn Royaards are more than up to the task of holding things together, and to a large extent, this album works admirably. When they cross genres as they do on the proggy 'The Circus Never Comes To Town' and the psych of 'Cross The Mountain', they sometimes bite off more than they can chew, but it's always good to hear someone striving for something new.

The best tracks for me, are those that take on a southern rock hue, such as 'Barefoot Walking Blues' and the fantastic ballad of 'The Day You Put Me Down'. On moments like those, they take on the mantle of classic Allman Brothers or early Gov't Mule, and fans of those bands will happily find room for this CD in their collection. As a special bonus, and as a nod back to the music that permeates this record, there's even room for a guesting Hugh Flint, who those of with long memories will recall from the "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton", as well as his own group McGuinness Flint, and later on with he Blues Band.

An excellent release, and one you should cop an ear to.

Buy CD From Amazon

Don't forget to tune into Mr H every Thursday at 8pm, Her Majestys Great British time, when you will find him Rockin' The Blues on that there internet radio.
http://www.getreadytorockradio.com/
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