David Maxwell

Maxwell is an award-winning American blues pianist and composer who's collaborated with the likes of Otis Spann, Louisiana Red and James Cotton. On this eclectic and fascinating disc, he fuses blues and world music styles in convincing fashion. He and his skilled band use West African, Indian, Turkish and North African instruments and influences. Fittingly, a similar sonic adventurer, Harry Manx contributes mohan veena on five tracks, including album highlight "Harry's Raga." All 13 instrumental numbers are original, proving that Maxwell is an imaginative composer as well. The absence of vocals allows the listener to create their own film to accompany these vivid soundscapes. The aptly named "Big Sky," for instance, evokes a high-speed drive along a desert road. Maxwell's piano work has an appealingly funky feel, as on "Cryin' The Blues." This isn't an album for the blues purist, but one worthy of attention regardless.