Johnny Roth (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards); Barry Roth (Drums on "Vu Jah De'" & "North Delta Heat")
Vu Jah De'" is Johnny Roth's long awaited second CD release since his 2003 album titled "still not talkin'" It consists of 8 all original instrumental tracks. Johnny's music can best be described as eclectic, electric blues that is fuel injected with jazz, rock and funk. His songs display a unique style with contagious melodies interwoven with tasteful slide guitar.
Review by Peter Hund -
Fans of Allman Brothers Band instrumentals are guaranteed to love this tastefully executed instrumental electric guitar album with plenty of slide. But besides the southern-rock vibe, Pennsylvania-based Roth impressively channels jazz masters such as Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour and, to a lesser extent but just as effectively, funk greats like Steve Cropper and Leo Nocentelli.
Southern rock is foremost among Roth’s influences, as evidenced on kick-off track “Lakota,” a blues-jazz number featuring interplay between guitar and keyboards along the lines of Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell circa “Brothers and Sisters.”
On the jazzier side, the title track fuses smooth-jazz sounds with reggae for an effect akin to Steely Dan’s “Haitian Divorce.” “Funki Taki” is all the name implies, with more Leavell-sounding piano and some nice Takamine EF261s acoustic/electric fretwork (Roth uses a 1956 Les Paul on the rest of the CD), recalling both Sea Level and SD.
The rocking “Machu Picchu” and bluesy “Slow Burn” contain that Hammond B-3 sound Gregg Allman is so famous for. On the former, it’s paired note for note with guitar, like on the classic ABB instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” but with a rolling bass line added. ”North Delta Heat” also is a highlight, with nods to multiple ABB songs including “Revival,” “Dreams” and “Jessica.”
For his sophomore effort, Roth again produces, engineers and mixes and plays all the instruments — with the exception of drums on the title track and “North Delta Heat,” which are provided by his brother Barry. goodnewmusic.com - Peter Hund - April 10, 2009
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