What a voice. What a feeling. Not an album for intellectualising over but built for unabashed enjoyment instead veteran blues man Taj Mahal goes pretty much jazz certainly in terms of the choice of tunes and all points adjacent much more than usual here on a very enjoyable romp through a whole load of standards that you would have thought are just too familiar to work but do given the tilt Mahal and pals bring to it. So riffing against backing singers on 'Stompin’ at the Savoy' it's so laid back it's horizontal. Maria Muldaur guests on a stately ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ while violinist Evan Price picks up some choice spots especially effective on 'Baby Won't You Please Come Home.' Recorded in an Oakland, California, studio with Taj (real name Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr who turned 80 last year) Danny Caron is on guitar; Ruth Davies on the bass; album producer John Simon on piano; and Leon Joyce, Jr is on drums as the core unit with guests joining in. Taj's harmonica playing on the rolling 'Caldonia' is one of the best bits and 'Lady Be Good' is another highlight when Taj scats. A fun listen. Out on 28 April. 'Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby' is streaming ahead of release. Taj Mahal, photo: via G Promo