Mississippi Heat – Hattiesburg Blues

We were recently sent this album by Pierre Lacocque who is the main man behind the Band, obviously trying to widen their appeal to the good folks of Essex.

Mississippi Heat are a nucleus of five with various Special Guests augmenting on each track; what I found unusual for a Blues album is the Latin influence on some of the Tracks.  I thought I was hearing things, so I checked out some of their blurb and I wasn’t mistaken: “Delmark Records Press Release reads:"Fantastic harp player/bandleader Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat return with their 2nd release on Delmark; HATTIESBURG BLUES (DE 795) is a new ambitious studio CD, featuring their lead vocalist Inetta Visor, and Chicago blues guitar legends Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby. The Chicago Horns and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez will also add significantly to this varied disc of many new original compositions." Hattiesburg is a city located in the south of the state of Mississippi. Quotes from our Manager about this recording: "HATTIESBURG BLUES is about how a music evolved from its African roots to the Delta of Mississippi and to the North in Chicago, and how it developed through other routes such as Cuba and South America. Yes, this is a beautiful combination of Chicago Blues and Latin rhythms. Add the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the harmonica of band leader Pierre Lacocque and the powerful and expressive voice of Inetta Visor and here is finally a CD that is an experience in listening from beginning to end.”

I can’t really add much more.  I think the album works and I enjoy listening to it, thumbs up guys.  I see this album was first released in 2008 and I understand a new album is imminent, would be worth checking out and seeing what they come up with this time.

Ash 12/04/10.