Velvet Grooves

Black Diamond Mines are mellower and more in the Blues than their label mates, Radio Moscow - but this doesn't stop the record from being cool. They are - John Wesley Myres (Vocals, Bass Keys, Fender Rhodes, Knife (?!)) and Van Campbell (Backing Vocals, Drums, Getaway (from that knife?!)).

Myres seems to have this Joe Cocker/Tom Waits appearance to his voice. It's highly powerful - although sometimes off-putting. It's his voice that leads the album along as most of the album is emphasised on his voice, the rhodes and drums. We have this garage sound covering the album - and it adds intimacy to it all. It makes you feel like you're in the same room where it was recorded. Raw, simple, and to the roots. Nice. Campbells drums also show their power right from the start on the first track 'Fever In My Blood' - an ideal start to the album. If this don't get you movin', nothing will. Damn shame. The keyboards also add a nice touch to the Blues and a slight Boogaloo element to it. 'All To Hello' is more of a slow moving dance track with the guitar and drums riding it along. 'Leave It On The Road' returns to the bangin' atmosphere - with Myres powerful vocals returning, drums slapping, keyboard screaming and the bass just hanging in. 'White Bitch' hangs more onto rock 'n roll - still clinging onto the blues into a faster pace. This is goooooooooood! On 'Signs' we return to Boogaloo with the overpowered fuzz of the keyboard. Finishing off though - 'Guess You've Gone And Fucked It All Up' - is just a banger! Have they fucked the album up, or just made it a hell of a lot better? I think better - kaleidoscoping keyboards to almost, out of control drums, bumping bass riffs and Myres voice almost losin' it with enthusiasm - it makes me feel, could more of this have made the whole album better?... Nah, but it finishes it off brilliantly!