by Brian D. Holland.

Al Basile has a genuinely raw and soulful singing voice. His latest CD, Groovin’ In The Mood Room, released by Sweetspot Records, displays that and much more. The fact that it was produced by veteran blues icon Duke Robillard, who also played guitar on its 13 tracks, has much to do with its rich flavor. This is Basile’s fifth record to date, and Robillard has played guitar on all of them. Basile’s voice is personal and pleasurable, and his songs and style are a perfect match for Robilllard’s six-string prowess.

Longtime fans of Roomful Of Blues will find an immediate attraction to the album. Basile played trumpet for the Rhode Island based blues band back in the early days, while Robillard was the original guitarist and vocalist. Al decided to lay his trumpet down in 1975, opting to spend his time teaching, writing songs, and perfecting his unrefined vocal sound. Robillard and crew then went on to experience success as one of the greatest blues club bands of all-time. In the early days, Basile was also known for his work with the likes of Big Joe Turner, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, and Johnny Johnson. A few of his tunes can be heard on early Robillard solo albums.

Basile’s voice evokes the styles and sounds of Kim Wilson, John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, and that of Robillard himself. A few of the tracks on the CD are reminiscent of early Fabulous Thunderbirds, bluesy and genuine yet rocked up. Listen to ‘How Much Better (Better Can Get). Along with Basile’s brusque vocal, Robillard’s rhythm and lead playing is rockin’ and rough. I love listening to Duke when he gets into this heavy blues-rockin’ mode; it seems to bring out the best in him. ‘She’s On The Mainline’ follows, in an approach that takes the listener back to early Roomful Of Blues, horns and all (with Doug James on tenor sax). ‘Picked To Click’ is a pleasant blues number, slow yet very rhythmic. Robillard’s lead throughout is fantastic. ‘Your Turn To Pay’ gets even deeper. Basile belts out the vocal passionately, and segues nicely into Robillard’s wailing slow blues solo. He ends the song with a second solo. ‘Baby Sister’ has an interesting John Hiatt air about it. ‘I’m In A Mood’ gets experimental. Besides Robillard’s backwards guitar effect, Marty Ballou’s bass playing is standout. ‘Be A Woman’ is a pleasant blues ballad. ‘You Satisfy’, with Robillard singing backup, is a satisfying end to this great album.

Robillard’s band, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce Bears on organ, and Doug James on tenor sax, rounds out the CD. Al’s also a known cornet player, and plays the instrument on ‘She’s On The Mainline’. Though Groovin’ In The Mood Room is, without a doubt, a Duke Robillard album just as much an Al Basile, these two performers are definitely a combined effort and make wonderful music together. The album contains a lot of great blues, rock, soul, r&b, funk, and even a little jazz, and it exerts an all around pleasant groove.

Groovin’ In The Mood Room Track Listing:

1. I Got To Be The Boss

2. How Much Better (Better Can Get)

3. She’s On The Mainline

4. Picked To Click

5. Your Turn To Pay

6. Baby Sister

7. I’m In A Mood

8. The Show Must Go On

9. Your Rights

10. Take My Word For It

11. Be A Woman

12. Coffee And Cadillacs

13. You Satisfy

Sweetspot Records – June 2006
Mark Pucci Media

Links
Al Basile
'Groovin' In The Mood Room' on Amazon