Jacksonville-based singer/songwriter JJ Grey releases his seventh album, This River. His gritty vocals, coupled with the punchy horn arrangements, add real depth to the 10 tracks on the album, which has a running time of 49 min, 02 sec. A combination of R&B and soul-fuelled tracks, This River doesn't disappoint...

The album kicks of with the toe-tapping 'Your Lady, She's Shady' which will rattle around your head for days to come... and to be honest it doesn't let up until the final piano, guitar and what sounds like a Wurlitzer organ notes fade away on the last track 'This River'.

Apparently this album was recorded in the studio with most of the tracks being cut live - and it shows. The instrumentation has more heart and the vocals more soul than you'd get with a cut and paste mix.

While all of the tracks on this album have something going for them, my personal favourite has to be 'Tame a Wild One,' which has, for me, this album's most impressive balance of lyrics and tune.

It's a powerful album with plenty of heart and deep lyrics. Fans of modern R&B and soul will love Grey's powerful songs.

9

Nick Smithson