If your vibe is funk-filled 70’s inspired bluesy rock n’ roll then look no further than the debut album from Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience, released on September 10. ‘Counterfeited Soulstice Vol.1’ is a collection of eleven tracks written and performed by Italian-born and now Californian-based producer, bass player and songwriter Fabrizio Grossi, who is also known for his work with a host of names including Slash, Gary Clark Jnr, Steve Vai, Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Billy Gibbons & Warren Hayes to name but a few. The time is right for ‘Fab’ to step into the spotlight, so to speak and he has written and fronted a wonderful debut record. From Hendrix to Curtis Mayfield, from The Rolling Stones to The Black Keys via Sly and the Family Stone, the array of sound influences on Fab’s music is pretty wide.
The album begins with the foot-tapping, piano and harmonica infused opener ‘Slave to My Rhythm’ with its up-tempo vibe and fabulous guitar solo, provided by twenty-four-year-old Derek Day. Grossi himself kick starts the second track with his simple but effective bassline, before the now familiar bluesy harp eases us into the slower groove of ‘Right Down Below’, which drifts along with a real cool funk/blues vibe. ‘I’d Rather Be Wrong’ lifts the pace again with it catchy underlying soulful backing harmonies and great guitar tones, before we are introduced to the vocal talent of the incredible Diiamond Meeks (American Idol) on ‘Soul Intervention’, which is exactly as its title tells us – so full of soul that you can’t help but move to the music.
‘Ain’t No Givin’ Up’, the latest single release, is a reggae infused beauty with a hint of Clapton’s ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ which is as cool as can be, with more of that wonderful harmonica that is ever present through out the album. ‘I Never Thought That You Loved Me’ allows us to draw breath with is slightly slower blues vibe, before we back into a more soul groove with fabulous vocals from Bette Smith on ‘With or Without You’ with its 70’s inspired funky spacey solo. ‘Shit Load of Sugar’ is an upbeat mover akin to Bowie’s ‘Fashion’ or Rose Royce’s ‘Car Wash’ until the coolest of blues solos reaches our ears and we again are highlighted to the vocal talents of Meeks.
‘Pills, Lies & Thunderstorms’ has an almost country feel at the start before building to a crescendo of sound and is one of my favourites on this collection. ‘Radio’ once again allows Diiamond Meeks to shine with his superb vocals and this runs a close second as one of the tracks of the album for me, with its cool catchy beat and vibe – funky & fun. We end with Meeks once more taking centre stage on ‘Them & Me’ which is a vibrant energetic closer to end this wonderful Soul Garage Experience.
Along with Grossi (bass), the album features a collection of fine musicians and all deserve a mention; drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Power), Hermann Matthews (Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder), Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, Joe Satriani, Smashing Pumpkins, Paul McCartney), Bette Smith, Alistair Greene (Alan Parsons), Diiamond Meeks, keyboard player Alex Alessandroni Jnr (Christina Aguilera, Pink, Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston), guitarist Derek Day, Dylan Meek, The Supersonettes ( Francis Benitez & Andrea Grossi Benitez), Chris Hansen, Fabio Drusin and more. I haven’t finished enjoying this album yet… but bring on Vol.2!
8/10
TRACKLIST
Slave to my Rhythm
Right Down Below
I Rather Be Wrong
Soul Intervention (feat. Diiamond Meeks)
Ain’t No Givin’ Up
I Never Thought That You Loved Me
With or Without You (feat. Bette Smith)
Shit Load of Sugar (feat. Diiamond Meeks)
Pills, Lies & Thunderstorms
Radio (feat. Diiamond Meeks)
Them & Me (feat. Diiamond Meeks)
