RIDE The Jimmy Zee Band (Pacific/ Warner) 5/5
The follow up to 2010’s impressive Devil Take Me Down is a bruising, blistering slice of roadhouse blues heaven. This album sounds like a great Saturday night.

The hook that took Devil over the ramparts in 2010 was a spirited remake of Sweeney Todd’s Roxy Roller, and Zee is hoping for lighting to strike twice as he leads the band through a bluesy remake of the Rush classic Working Man on the new album. You might not think of it as a blues, at least not until you hear what Jimmy and the guys do with it. There’s a great, swampy vibe to Ride, a little bit of downtown soul too. The groove on a song like Feels Alright To Me is so damn smooth you could just ride it all night long.

As good as the previous album was, this is better. It feels more fully realized- not that Devil was tentative, but Jimmy Zee has the confidence here that can only come from having a terrific debut disc in his rear view mirror. Lots of great guitar work all over the place here, a great foundation from bassist Scott Tucker and drummer Elliot Polsky, and some tasty harp from my man Harpdog Brown.

Ride is a greasy, swampy, nasty treat that’s hitting me right in the sweet spot.

TOP TRACKS: Feels Alright To Me, Shot of Whiskey, Working Man