Jan James - Time Bomb (2023) [Official Digital Download]

Michigan-born soul and blues singer Jan James started writing lyrics for guitarist Craig Calvert’s music over three decades ago, bringing out her first album Last Train in 1992. Relocating to Chicago, they have become stalwarts of the musical scene, and the intervening 30 years have seen the partnership produce 12 albums, culminating in this latest release, Time Bomb. James is generally billed as a blues singer, and there is certainly a lot of that influence here, but these songs to my ears drop firmly into the soul arena, heavily influenced by 1970s Motown and the pre-disco soul of such bands as The Tymes and The Delfonics. As such, there is plenty of gospel influence in there too, as is to be expected from someone who honed her vocal skills in a Michigan church choir.
Photos by Eric Gramberg and Chris Jacobs

The set opens with the gently rolling good-time groove of Swingin’ In The Sweet Sunshine, with tasteful saxophone work from Brian Gephart, and subtle piano from Bob Long. Heavily reminiscent of The Tymes’ 1975 hit Ms Grace, this sets the template for much of what is to come; the emphasis here is on uplifting and melodic, easy soul. Stronger Now displays a distinct ‘60s influence in the clear-toned, tremolo guitar intro, playing out over a tastefully-restrained guitar solo, as does the slow, triplet-timed blues of Desperate Times. The twin backing vocals of Cheryl Wilson and Joyce Fayson come across like a full gospel choir in this one, and they make their presence felt at many times during the course of the album.

TRACKLIST

1. Jan James - Swingin In the Sweet Sunshine
2. Jan James - Stronger Now
3. Jan James - Desperate Times
4. Jan James - Sometimes Love's Like That
5. Jan James - Let Love Surround You
6. Jan James - Time Bomb
7. Jan James - Too Late Now
8. Jan James - Don't Lie to the One You Love
9. Jan James - Blood on Your Hands
10. Jan James - Diamonds and Gold
11. Jan James - Love Is the Answer
12. Jan James - Don't It Feel Good
13. Jan James - Always the Blues



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