Glenn Marias & The Mojo Train – Red, Hot and Blue
Self Released
https://glennmaraisandthemojotrain.ca/
11 tracks
Glenn and his band are a hard blues rocking group from Canada that blend blues, rock, funk, and soul in their sounds from the Delta, Detroit, Philadelphia and beyond. It’s a hard driving and talented group of musicians who have served many a name band in their previous band lifetimes.
Glenn Marais is on guitar, harp and vocals. On bass is Manny De Grandis, on keys is Jesse Karwat and on drums is Jeff Saulnier. They are main players of this hot Canadian blues rock foursome. Also appearing are Nick Bogoeff who plays saxophone and flute, Graham and Phil Shaw aree on [ercussion and congas and backing vocals are supplied by Quisha Wint and Selena Evangeline on “Pink Lemonade” and Hailey Marais on “Song of Love.”
“That’s Where My Mojo’s At” is a driving blues rocker with breathy vocals and greasy harp. The guitar has a big, ringing sound and the tune drive along smartly. ”Super Funk” follows, led by piano and organ and more hard driving guitar. Not much blues but it’s a hot rocking cut. Then it’s “Love Denied” where Marias gets a funky blues groove going and quickly builds into a big, crescendo that repeats each verse and subsequent chorus.
“Red, Hot and Blue” begins as a blues rock ballad with haunting vocals grows into a large scale production. Ranging from sublime to in your face, this one is an interesting cut for sure. Then it’s time for the frenetic and driven sounds of “It All Went Down” where the vocals howl and guitars blaze. “Love Sweet Love” has a sort of Doobie Brothers groove going stamped with Marias’ own sound. Funky stuff with a guitar setting the pace and organ filling in behind it. The solo licks abound.
“The Song of Love” takes the pace way down with some pretty flute and a restrained guitar and vocals that exude love song. The sax provides the lead in to the vocal build ups as Marias sings what the title says, his song of love. Pretty and sublime. “Hold Me High” follows and reintroduces the big a driven guitar anthem. Big guitar riffs and howling vocals are the order of the day here.
Next we have the funky “Pink Lemonade” where the guitar and organ lay out the funk as Marias sings this bouncy and fun number. Things stay funky with “Can You See” as Marias delivers this breathy song that switches gears to a more in your face approach. The final cut is “Professor Day” which is a hard charging and funky number when the organ, sax, bass and guitar interplay to move this along. Fast moving and intriguing stuff.
If you like your blues funky and rocking, then look no further. This is not your grandfather’s traditional blues band, but they are a hot rocking group of talented musicians delivering all new songs to enjoy!
