I first heard of the James Montgomery Band through Phil Walden’s Capricorn record label, the label that introduced us to such greats as Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers, and Johnny Jenkins and Benny Latimore. I took a liking to their sound then and it’s great to hear a new package of southern rock ‘n’ blues—plus a taste of funk—from James Montgomery. He’s originally from Detroit, but might as well be from Macon, Georgia. His new record has punchin’ harmonica, a super-hot horn section and excellent production from piano wizard Ron Levy (B.B. King’s piano player and a Rounder Records owner).

To be totally frank, James has put out a fine, mellow CD. It’s got that backyard barbecue, party-down sound. Join in the Southern hospitality and Southern musicology with the triumphant return of the James Montgomery Band. Footstompin’, barefootin’, Southern-style sounds with lots of originals penned by Montgomery, as well as superb covers. Tone-Cool Records has got themselves a sho-nuff winner. Top tunes are “Yonder’s Wall,” the title track (a great instrumental) and “Little Black Dress.”