Arsen Shomakhov has been making quite a name for himself and those in the know are starting to take notice. "From Russia With Blues", is one of the headlines he received from a recent review and rightly so, as Shomakhov' had been a tour de force of Blues in Russia and Internationally since 1991. Over the last 5 years, he has done extensive touring throughout Europe, USA, and Canada and in doing so was declared the "Best Emerging Artist by the Sonny Boy Blues Society", in 2007. Now living in Canada, since 2008, Arsen Shomakhov and his band the Arsen Shomakhov Trio, play extensively throughout Western Canada.

"On The Move" was released in July of 2010 and marks Arsen Shomakhov's 4th Album in 8 years. Not long after it's release it quickly climbed to #1 on the Canada Roots Music Charts and #2 on the American Top 50 Blues Chart for the week of August 6, 2010.  As of September 10, 2010 he was still in #4 Position on Roots Music Report Top 50 Blues List and #1 on Canada's Roots Music Airplay Report, which is a testament to just how good of an Album, "On The Move" is.

"On The Move" consists of 11 Tracks, 6 of which were written by Shomakhov and shows not only his amazing musical skill, but also his skill at putting pen to paper. In addition to the rest of his band, Adam Drake (Drums), and Bruce O'Neill (Upright/Electric Bass/Backing Vocals), Shomakhov called in over a half dozen other very fine musicians and vocalists to add an amazing depth to this Album. Included on this release are Roger Brant (Bass Track 10 & 11), Darryl Hayes (Piano), Willie McCalder of Powder Blues Fame (Piano Track 5), Tom Gould (Tenor/Baritone Sax), Gordon Bertram (Tenor/Baritone Sax Track 5), Dave Webb (Hammond Organ), Alita Dupree and Scott Woolard (Backing Vocals). "On The Move" was self produced and mixed by Shomakhov'.

"On The Move" consists of a very unique blend and style of blues, craftily mixed with subtle hints of Jazz plus  Swing and Jump. The Album starts off with 1 of 3 Instrumentals, which shows off, not only the Bands musical prowess, but also Shomakhov's amazing skill at guitar, which I must say he does so in a restrained, not knocking you over the head, manner. The reminder of the Album had for me some interesting and at times jaw dropping highlights. I found Track 3, "She Split", to be quite unique in the way it opened with the Stand-Up Bass, strumming a few notes to the song, Shortenin' Bread.

Mama's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin'
Mama's little baby loves short'nin' bread

The one Track though that really blew me away was Track 4, "Sweeter Than Honey", which for me had a Morrison/Pulp Fiction feel to it. The work done on that track was just amazing, with parts of it sounding like it could of naturally broke into Morrison's "The End". I really don't know how they got some of the sounds on that one, as it sounded like reverse tracking at some times. What A Treat.

Throughout "On The Move", Arsen Shomakhov proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he certainly knows his music and he knows how to deliver it, in a totally unique and refreshing manner, heck he even knows how to play the Bass, which is does in fine manner on Track 8 "Hit and Run".

"On The Move", certainly showcases Arsen Shomakhov's vocals, and although quite original, they did resonate with a slight Micheal Buble delivery, at least that is the best way I can best describe them. One must not also forget that vocals that are not screamed at you, will last a long time, and I for one, certainly believe Arsen Shomakhov, will be singing for us for many many more years to come.

If Arsen Shomakhov had been sitting on the cusp of really breaking out, "On The Move" is an Album that has certainly put him front and center on the Blues Music Scene, a spot he rightly deserves.

"On The Move" is an Album I feel pretty good about Highly Recommending, at it is a very fine Album from a very fine Artist.

Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Other Info

Tracklist

1. Joker 2:55
2. Something True Became a Lie 3:58
3. She Split 2:35
4. Sweeter Than Honey 4:55
5. Jenny Q 4:05
6. Big City Blues 4:43
7. Swingy 3:02
8. Hit and Run 2:50
9. Georgia Slop 3:08
10. When I Get Drunk 4:28
11. On the Move 3:27

Listen To Samples Here...

About Arsen Shomakhov

Arsen Shomakhov, Russian singer & guitar player extraordinaire, in the past five years has become a major force as a blues artist, performing for Russian Federal TV, Moscow's legendary BB King Club and blues festivals throughout Russia, Norway, USA and Canada. In 2007, after performing at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, Arsen Shomakhov was announced as the Best Emerging Artist by the Sonny Boy Blues Society.

In 2008 Arsen Shomakhov moved to Vancouver, where he formed the Arsen Shomakhov Trio. His new album entitled "On the Move" was released on Blues Leaf Records in July 2010 and reached #1 in the Canada Roots music charts and #2 in the American top 50 Blues Chart for the week of August 6, 2010 (source: rootsmusicreport.com).

Blues Review testifies: "Shomakhov's singing is strong and his excellent guitar work pays rare attention to tonal variety and to creating strong rhythms as well as fleet-fingered, inventive solos."

http://www.arsenshomakhov.com/

http://www.myspace.com/arsenshomakhov