One from a number of unexpected pleasant surprises that recently arrived at Red Guitar Music is the first solo album from Fuzzbee Morse a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, producer, raconteur and film/TV composer. Fuzzbee has worked with many of the best in the business including Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Bono, Pink, Ric Ocasek (The Cars) and Frank Zappa. I should add that his quite stunning band on this album features Jerry Marotta (Orleans / Peter Gabriel / Indigo Girls) on drums, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel / King Crimson) on bass and David Sancious (Sting / Peter Gabriel / Bruce Springsteen) on keys. The sort of players that can afford to be very picky regarding the work they undertake.

The album features a nice mix of vocal and instrumental tracks in a variety of styles with the opening ‘Long As The Wind Blows’ presenting a Beatles vibe that wouldn’t be out of place on an album by glam / pop act Enuff Z’Nuff. Elsewhere Fuzzbee sounds very much at home on covers of two Jimi Hendrix classics ‘Angel’ and ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ that highlight his languid, relaxed guitar dexterity. The album also features two terrific extended instrumental workouts with ‘Onward’ and the percussive ‘Zonga!’ allowing Fuzzbee plenty of room for his guitar breaks alongside terrific work from Marotta and virtual soprano sax from Sancious on the later. The light bluesy vibe of the tribute to Ray Charles ‘Brother Ray’ is another winner with a vocal arrangement reminiscent of Steely Dan while album closer ‘Underground Railway’ features a marked gospel feel with the vocals of Lisa Fraser, Tyra Juliette and Willie and Joe Chambers to the fore.

Fuzzbee Morse is to be congratulated on an album which seamlessly blends a soulful west coast vibe with the bluesy hard rock of Jimi Hendrix. There is much here for all fans of 70’s rock and great music to appreciate.