(Modern Electric Blues) The Producers - London Blues - 2011, MP3, 320 kbps

The Producers have long been a favourite band of the blues-loving fraternity of the UK and their albums have consistently been well-received. However, a gap of eleven years since their previous offering will render this new compilation even more precious than the rest.
The founding and ever-present duo of singer/guitarist Harry Skinner and bass guitarist Dave Saunders are now complemented by keyboard player Ray Drury and drummer Bill Smith. In addition, there are guest appearances on the album by Andy Fairweather Low, Paul Lamb and Ben Waters and a horn section comprising Jenny Russell on saxes, Ollie Corbin on trumpet and Richard Miners on trombone and flugelhorn. There is also a string trio of Joanna Stevens (violin), Josh Peiro (viola) and Rowan Baker (cello). All twelve tracks on the album were written by Harry Skinner.
“Coming Back To You” provides a lively opener with some lovely, lyrical guitar riffs from Harry Skinner, splendid organ playing from Ray Drury and the first of two cameos from harmonica maestro Paul Lamb. Guitarist Andy Fairweather Low adds some sparkle to the rippling shuffle, “The Wrong Way Home”, which also features some trademark ivory tinkling from Ben Waters. “Little Miss Sunshine” brings a taste of reggae to the party while the slow and reflective “Preservation Blues” delivers more excellent guitar work. “Drive This Car” favours a mazurka-like rhythm that sees all four members of the band in top gear. Harry Skinner then switches to piano on “I Get The Blues”, which is hypnotically driven by the excellent rhythm section.
“Some People Say” is a splendidly delivered slow blues and there are distinctive shades of Little Walter on “Tell Me Why”, with some terrific harmonica-based adornment from Paul Lamb. The excellent title track is again brilliantly underpinned by the rhythm section and Ray Drury before “The Money Lender” introduces a touch of New Orleans funk to the proceedings including a tasty second helping of Ben Waters. The album is concluded by the slow and plaintive “Love Gone Bad” and the wistful ballad “Bamako” with its subliminal African influence.
This is a marvellous, tastefully varied album that boasts an abundance of top class musicianship. But special mention must be made of Harry Skinner’s fabulous vocals, which continue to compare favourably with the very best on the British blues scene.

''They’ve been away for far too long. Renowned ‘till the mid-90’s as one of Britain’s best blues bands, their decision to stop gigging came as a severe blow to many of us blues lovers in the south. But now - with a slightly changed line-up - they are back with a vengeance. Harry Skinner (g,v), Dave Saunders (b), Ray Drury (keys) and Biff Smith (drums & perc) are in super form. Just listen to the opening axe work and the in-the-groove vocal of “Some People Say”. Complete with a vocal chorus and some super bass work by Dave Saunders, this is the blues as they should be done. So too “Money Lender” which surely will be covered before long.
But don’t run away with the idea that the the rest isn’t.
The addition of key musicians like Ben Waters (on two tracks), Andy Fairweather-Low on guitar on “The Wrong Way Home” and harp ace, Paul Lamb on “Tell Me Why”, make the whole thing an audio delight. Paul Beavis adds some meat to the rhythm section (on drums) on a number of tracks - check out “Sunshine Girl” which has a magical bossanova/reggae tinge to it. I wish there was more space here for praise, but this will have to do. This will, I predict, get a lot of air play (certainly by me) and may well be an award winner in next year’s British Blues Awards.
Welcome Back.''
Ian McKenzie Blues In The South
Submitted on 27/10/2011
''Recieved the CD this morning, thanx dave. Just listened to the cd for the 7th time! I love the new sound with the brass,wind and female backing! Looks like a trip up the A30 to see you guys! GREAT ALBUM!''
Paul Fellows via FB
Submitted on 07/10/2011
''From the outside looking in it came as something of a shock when The Producers split in 2002 after 12 hard-working years in which they'd clawed their way to within spitting distance of the top of the Brit-blues tree, opening for the likes of Dr John, Peter Green, Robert Cray and jamming with Ray Charles' Raelettes and horn section at the Cognac Blues Festival.
But bands are invariably a law unto themselves and suffice to say The Producers had their reasons. Just as they did nine years later when founder members Harry Skinner (gtr/vx) and Dave Saunders (bs) announced a reunion, recruiting keys man Ray Drury and drummer Biff Smith before hitting the road to rebuild bridges with the fans.
London Blues is their first album since a 2000 live release and finds The Producers in stellar company with the likes of Andy Fairweather Low, Ben Waters, Paul Lamb and Paul Beavis. It doesn't so much capture a new sound as assert The Producers' renewed confidence in their own ability, rarely more so than on the reggae-tinged Little Miss Sunshine in which Harry's delicate guitar fills echo The Wailers' Al Anderson at his imperious mid-70s best, before a rich, analogue Beatles-esque bridge leads into the outro groove.
Just as impressive is Harry Skinner's ripened vocals, easily picking off nods to Joe Cocker, David Gilmour, Steve Winwood, even Paul Weller, on the title track. I Get the blues inhabits more familiar territory, but Drive This Car adds a few pop rock chops, The Money Lender plays with boogie, Waters' piano rolls playing around Drury's fat organ stabs, and in Love Gone Bad The Producers gamely execute a bold run at a Stax-style 6:8 ballad… with strings!''
Nick Churchill Fatea Magazine
Submitted on 06/10/2011
''Received London Blues CD, and am playing it now and really enjoying it. I particularly like the opening track 'Coming back for you' and 'Bamako'. Look forward to you being in the Banbury area again some time. Btw, when you played at the Brasenhose I bought your accoustic CD Nearly wired, great accoustic blues just as it should be.''
Phil Wyatt
Submitted on 27/09/2011
''Having had an opportunity to listen to the album I can tell you that if you love the blues, it¹s a cracker. It sounds like the best blues inspired album you thought you had in your collection, except that this is fresh off the press. It sounds classic, timeless, like you always knew it and yet it's still fresh and engaging. It's one of those albums that is going to be near the top of your CD stack because you'll be playing it so often. Top marks, go and buy this album.''
Suited + Booted music magazine
Submitted on 26/09/2011

Harry Skinner - Guitar/Vocals
Dave Saunders - bass
Ray Drury - organ/piano
Biff Smith - drums
with
Ben Waters - guitar,
Andy Fairweather-Low - guitar (on “The Wrong Way Home”)
Paul Lamb - harp (on “Tell Me Why”)
Paul Beavis - drums