Urban Allstars – Loitering On The West Side – CeePeeVee Records CPVCD 1501 

On their fans’ Facebook page, it is indicated that this blues band hailing from Stockholm, Sweden is devoted to, “Playing the old-style blues and nothing but…”  And across the landscape of this 15-selection collection released in 2016, they certainly do that well, creating an irresistible grasp on any blues fan who longs for that traditional post-war blues appeal.

There’s hundreds of overseas blues outfits whose dedication to the idyllic post-war blues structure unfortunately renders them stiff and nothing more than mere imitators who desperately attempt to recreate, note-for-note, the blues classics they hold near and dear.  Here, though, guitarist and vocalist Thomas Hammarlund, harmonicist and vocalist Thomas Grahn, guitarist Claes Parmland, double bass player Urban Hed, pianist Fredrik Von Werder, and drummer and vocalist Tommy Moberg have produced a delightful blues package that thrills, rendering it a party on a small round disc.

This is one of those “out of the blue” blues outings that, at first glance, may make the potential listener suspicious, but after one spin in the CD player, ends up being a frequently enjoyed assemblage.

It’s difficult to put exactly into words what the overall attraction is with this collection, apart from that it just gets under the skin in all the right ways, making its repeated enjoyment a necessity; it’s just a pearl to blast loudly and often!

Surprises such as this are always welcome, and for a simply great blues festivity, put this one in and watch the feet tap and heads bob.

Highly recommended without qualification!