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03-Nov-2015
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Review in Blues Matters Magazine
New Album 'The First Nibble'
This 5 track sampler from Munch succinctly highlights the collective pedigree of the band’s 4 members. Boasting songwriting, performing and recording links with such names as John Mayall, Cream, Supertramp, Thin Lizzy, Paul Jones, Robert Palmer, Bo Diddley, Stephen Dale-Petit, Mick Taylor and The Supremes to name but a few.
Having worked with such an impressive and influential group of artists it’s no surprise that the level of musicianship on display here is breathtaking. All those experiences have clearly left their mark creatively too as these 5 tracks conjure up comparisons to The Bluesbreakers as well as The Blues Band and Blind Faith.
Guitarist and lead singer Pete Bennett in particular brings to mind Steve Winwood and Clapton in his vocal delivery, his is a classic Soul/Blues voice of the highest order. The rest of the group are all given their respective places to shine too, though never at the expense of the material, always tastefully delivering exactly what is required of them without ever becoming overbearing.
Collaborative is definitely the right term to define this group of authentic musicians. Slinky opener Love Sneaking Up On You does just that, riding a wave of sultry Hammond organ, groovy ostinato bass and jagged syncopated guitar, calling to mind The Band at their most funky. Government Cheese is a playful tongue-in-cheek number with a riff as insidious as the song’s subject matter.
The band’s rendition of John Hiatt’s Feels Like Rain is as genuine and soulful as any version you’ve yet heard and is perhaps the standout track of this EP. He Don’t Live Here No More and the BB King-esque Perpetual Blues Machine are at opposing ends of the Blues spectrum, the former a barn-storming jam with the closing track far more laid back and heavily relying on call and response, yet both are equally well delivered and highlight both the band’s range, and the authenticity and reverential delicacy with which they approach their material.
A longer-playing release surely must follow and, if this taster is anything to go by, is sure to be an utter delight.
Alan
Blues Matters Magazine
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