The Charles Walker Blues Band was established in Milwaukee three years ago by Aaron Charles Walker, who before this had studied as a jazz musician.  He was inspired by the greats, from John Coltrane to Lester Young and Charlie Parker.  Before starting this project, he has led another group called Muddy Blue. One of the first members of the Charles Walker Blues Band, Miss Shanna Jackson (vocalist), seems comparable to Shemekia Copeland and Koko Taylor.  Emre Alp, another original member who is Turkish, plays the lead guitar. Lastly, Kent Hamele and Nic Fugate, form the rhythm section, Kent on bass, Nic on Drums.  Before recording their current album, the group had previously recorded three albums: "Keep Takin", "Hotel Room Blues", and finally an album recorded live, "Live and Low down", made in the beginning 2007. From this, one can say that this group has already proven to be prolific. The most recent album “The World and Things”, was written exclusively by Charles. The first song, "Dog Catcher" smokes till it sizzles from the very first note. Powerful, natural and cut perfectly for the blues, the voice of Miss Shanna Jackson is divine. Similarly solid like a rock, the rhythm section is infallible. The guitar is limited to a rhythmic role, but the listener can feel it right on time, every time. The saxophone of Charles is always ready to leap in while the organ Hammond organ of Rob Waters adds ornamentation to each number. "Slow Thunder", the second song, captures the essence of soul funk and Jackson’s voice and intonation on this number excels.

 Particularly inventive, Walker is a musician bursting with talent. Well capable of building a melody line, his tenor sax thrusts through the mix powerfully. "Outta Mind" is musically a blues built on a unique groove in which the Hammond organ takes an active role in rhythm, creating a masterful mood. And tastefully, it is the guitarist, Dr. Emre Alp, who plays an amazing solo during “Outta Mind”, which displays an unquestionable talent. This is followed up by Rob Waters on organ, who makes the organ take off and sail. The pure blues number, "Ain't No Doors", starts out soft and similar to old country blues but takes off into a full heavy “butt rocker” shortly thereafter. The vocals of Shanna are always sublime, but the blues master on the album is Charles. He is a true virtuoso with the saxophone. A treat! In the instrumental, "Hand clappin'”, the song moves quickly. A boogy shuffle, which Rob Waters switches to piano, while the band leader wails on his honkin' saxophone, of which he has impressive control!

"Gamblin on Love" constitutes the slow, ritual blues. A long, live recorded cut from the Cuda Cafe, all the musicians display a virtuosic talent.  In particular, the voice of Miss Jackson, organ of Waters, as well as the guitar of our Turkish teaser, shine in this slow blues. There is a maximum release of raw energy in this track.  On the fast Chicago shuffle, "Mil Town Blues", there is a guest musician: Steve Cohen. Also from Milwaukee, he blows a mean harmonica (for your information, this song also displays again Alps excellent rhythm playing) before yielding a solo to Rob on the piano. A slow gospel blues, "Cold as Hell" was masterfully designed for the magic voice of Shanna Jackson. As well, the lyrics of the song display a passionate text. "Queen bee" is another shuffle resulting from the Windy City. Emre Alp finds deliciously raunchy chords to display on this rocking tune while Steve Cohen returned to blow his harp! "Holdin out" completes the masterpiece, which is a very melodic ballad blues, characterized by a last excellent solo of Dr. Alp on the guitar. If this album, which is obviously wonderful, had a fault, it would be that the leader does not appear more on the album.

-Jean-Claude Mondo