Eric Gales - Middle Of The Road (2017)

Middle of the Road is Eric Gales fourth album on Provogue/Mascot label Group (Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Black Stone Cherry, Warren Haynes, The Robert Cray Band, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band) after Transformation (2011), Relentless (2010) and The Psychedelic Underground (2007) and it sees him at his most expressive yet; it is a deeply personal and reflective record that echoes where he is in his life right now and he opens himself up and allows himself the chance to really flourish. Middle of the Road is the running theme throughout the record. "It's about being fully focused and centered in the middle of the road. If you’re on the wrong side and in the gravel you're not too good and if you're on the median strip that's not too good either, so being in the middle of the road is the best place to be", according to Eric.

Personnel are Aaron Haggerty – drums, Dylan Wiggins – B3 Organ, LaDonna Gales – All backing vocals, Maxwell ‘Wizard’ Drummey – Mellotron on Repetition, and Eric Gales provides all lead vocals, guitar, and bass.

There are several guests on the album including Gary Clark Jr., mentor and older brother Eugene Gales, Lance Lopez and Christone ‘Kingfish‘ Ingram.

These 11 tracks run 55 minutes, and they are a revelation. The sound quality, production, and mix are fresh, with an almost sparkling clarity. The backing vocals by LaDonna Gales are a transcendent backdrop draped throughout this musical masterstroke.

Excellent all the way through, we still had our favorites. “Good Time” says, “I’m back and I’m bad!” It will absolutely school players, the same way Prince cut a whole new landscape with Musicology. This is a stunning example of “new soul.” “Change In Me” is a new beginning; rocking, soulful, with a perfect lead. Gales is still fast, but now, slow enough to digest. Gales said, “I changed up some things in life and decided to go a new route.” Arhythmic wonder, “Been So Long” has just the slightest echoes of Living Colour’s Vernon Reid coursing through it.

“Help Yourself” features the young guitar Jedi knight Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. This is a truly deep cut; rocking, bluesy, percolating, and just a great listen. “I’ve Been Deceived” showcases deliciously stout guitar lines, and once again, LaDonna Gales’ off-the-chain vocals. “I Don’t Know” is what the Red Hot Chili Peppers would sound like in overdrive. Middle of the Road is a huge step forward in both contemporary blues and soul.

TRACKLIST

01. Good Time (2:52)
02. Change In Me (4:37)
03. Carry Yourself (5:23)
04. Boogie Man (4:55)
05. Been So Long (4:43)
06. Help Yourself (4:34)
07. I've Been Deceived (3:58)
08. Repetition (4:59)
09. Help Me Let Go (4:07)
10. I Don't Know (4:17)
11. Swamp (5:17)