"When the likes of Steve Quirk are saying that Blue Soul Groove are the real deal then it's time to sit up and listen. Fronted by Neil Warden who writes, arranges and plays both acoustic and electric guitars, the band is even more remarkable in its excellence for the fact that the players all have their roots in Scotland. Indeed not since the days of The Average White Band has a line-up from that country come along with the kind of music capable of pushing open the door on a genre that traditionally has been the province of US based bands. Yet the smooth jazz and cool groove that the aptly named Blue Soul Groove delivers is, in every respect, the genuine article. The bands self titled five track EP is now available on iTunes and is in advance of a full length CD that Warden hopes to release later this year.

Warden grew up listening to music from The Headhunters, George Benson, Johnny Guitar Watson, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Miles, Quincy Jones, Larry Carlton, Rufus, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith and Weather Report. All these influences can, in one form or another, be found permeating every one of the EP's five groove drenched cuts and there is none more so in this respect than the bonus track 'Zazou'. With its retro undertones, and a solid guest appearance on bass by Ant Davies, this is what the band is all about yet when they shift gears for the joyous 'Baga River' they create a vehicle to perfectly demonstrate how Warden's tight playing meshes to perfection with the sax and flute of John Burgess. The Warden - Burgess combination is a facet throughout and it's the flute that again makes an impact on 'Out Of The Groove'. This intensely jazzy number really fizzes but it's when Warden and Burgess find a mellower groove that they really strike gold.

The chilled out vibe of '3-00 am' reveals Warden in distinctly Paul Brown mode. This perfect slice of smooth jazz is bolstered by cool sax from Burgess and there is more of the sweet same with Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite 'Soul Town'. Here the synergy that Warden and Burgess routinely generate is at its most powerful and the tune is further enhanced by the featured keys of Ronnie Rae Jr.

With this choice selection it could just be that Blue Soul Groove is set to follow Acoustic Alchemy, Peter White, Chris Standring and Shilts as the UK's next great smooth jazz export."


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