The Michael Mills Band....We Want More!

Real music in real time! It doesn't get more real than The Michael Mills Band. A funky blues rock band from Huntington Beach California. They've released a 5 song EP called Dream A Dream. Yes the immediate downside is that after you listen to these extremely well produced songs, you crave more. Maybe that was the objective. In any case what you hear in these grooves will restore your faith in the old school ways. This warm up set leads off with "My New Woman" a song with some Gospel background vocals and an instant dance groove. Mills lays down a vocal landing somewhere between Kim Wilson (The Fab T-Birds) and Kenny Wayne Shepherd but with a much more laid back delivery. The song fades on the guitar solo. A crime because I would have paid more for this CD to hear the outtro that might be on some computer. Jesse Godoy is a smooth player with an understated yet confident vibe. His guitar is soulful on all 5 tracks. "Baby I'm Your Man" has hints of the Neville Brothers and a few other soulful legends. Again the guitar solo is tasteful. Also influencing these boys are their California surroundings. Surely this could be part of a west coast playlist. "Dream A Dream" is the get up and dance number that borders on Motown and will put a smile on your face. The rhythm section of bass player Scot Campbell and drummer Ron Ravicchio are rock solid. This band must be a smoking live show. "Tryin' To Forget You Baby" is the slow burner of the set and it highlights Godoy's clear ringing guitar tones. Even though it's more of a torch blues number it never gets bogged down mainly due to the fine production and the way the song moves along. Again, the guitar solo is worth the price of the CD all by itself. "Fade Away" wraps things up with a big horn section playing off the guitars as if last call was just announced. It's a mid tempo gem featuring some great sax. It's tough to judge a band on 5 original songs. But honestly between the production and the compositions, this music is light years ahead of much of what constitutes contemporary blues today. So long as these guys promise more music soon, I'll gladly give this album a perfect 10. To be continued...