Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

This New Jersey-based blues band come recommended by long time Cross Rhythms buddy Tony Loeffler and this recording even features a couple of his band playing on some of the tracks. With a name like Breaking The Bondage Blues Band, you won't be surprised to find lyrically direct Spirit-filled raw blues pounding from your speakers. Centred on the harmonica work of band leader Rev Bob McCarton and the gruff vocals of Rev John Witherspoon, musically just think Paul Jones and the Blues Band and you're sitting in the right ballpark! So many good cuts here but I enjoyed the opening "We've Come To Have Church" which acts as a band introduction and amongst all the up tempo blues tunes here, the slower "Be Born Again" stands out. The contribution of the incendiary guitar of Rhett Tyler on "Hey Lord" kicks the whole band into overdrive. Plenty here to enjoy and if you're already into the bluesy Kaiser/Mansfield stuff, this is definitely worth tracking down.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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