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Arthur Adams "Stomp The Floor"

Info & Reviews

Arthur has been a popular mainstay of the blues scene in L.A. for many years. His first album, It's Private Tonight, released in 1972 firmly established the silky smooth vocal presence and guitar style that he's recognized for today. Arthur has recorded with Jimmy Smith, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Lowell Fulson, The Crusaders and Bonnie Raitt. In 1991, Arthur played rhythm guitar and contributed two songs to B.B. King's album There Is Always One More Time. King later returned the favor, appearing on Arthur's release Back On Track in 1999. Stomp The Floor features his signature brand of soulful rhythm & blues filled with melodic hooks, classy arrangements and impeccable song writing. Amazon


I haven't heard the name Arthur Adams and the word blues since 1999 when I heard a great duet with him and B.B. King called "Get You Next To Me." Most of the time most of us wouldn't remember when we heard a song, but I remember the tune as one of the first I heard on satellite radio from the Music Choice Blues station. I immediately got on my ITunes and got the song, about a year later I got the song on CD as part of one of Blind Pig Records 30th Anniversary Collection discs. I remember hearing Adams voice and thinking his was a higher pitched, smoother vocal than that of his influence B.B. King. Needless to say, Adams has been gone away from national attention for awhile. This guy has written songs for B.B., Albert King, Quincy Jones, Sam Cooke, and played guitar for Bonnie Raitt. He's led a long, storied career on the Los Angeles music scene. It's only apt that Randy Chortkoff has come along and snatched up this tremendous talent and got him back in the studio again.

Adams' vocals are just as good now as they ever were and his guitar is a mix between a bluesy George Benson and groovy West Coast blues stylings. The album opener and title cut is slick southern fried soul-blues. "You Can't Win For Losing" is reminiscent to Adams uniquely soulful and relatable lyrics and the groove is steady, sweet, and smooth. Adams doesn't stop with the groove all the way. With funk, soul-blues, southern fried soul, and classy guitar work this album is a soul-blues sure fire winner. This has got everything from your baby-making love grooves to your get on the floor and shake your thing dance hits. Adams shows us all how the classic R&B masters used to do it - silky smooth vocals, intelligent songwriting, and world class musicianship. This has some vibes that will catch a hold of you and make you say "Yeah!" "Callin' Heaven" is just as good as any other world conscious tune put out there today. It's got a catchy and relatable chorus. "Nature of the Beast" talks about the monkeys on everyone's back. Adams is back on the scene and full of soul power. Blues fans if you're lacking in some soul-blues this year, pick up this latest, greatest addition to Adams' songbook.

Review by Ben Harper (http://jukejointsoul.blogspot.com/)

“His vocalizing has a sweet, soulful quality ala Robert Cray or at times Bobby Bland. And his electric six string takes definite cues from his idol, B.B. King…” – All Music Guide

“Adams fortifies his distinctive, velvety voice with restrained emotional heat. He's strong enough to be gentle, and confident enough to sing from his heart…” – Chicago Reader


Tracklist

1. Stomp The Floor 3:34
2. You Can't Win For losing 3:46
3. Don't Let The Door Hit You 4:16
4. I Know What You Mean 3:59
5. So Sweet 4:13
6. You Got That Right 3:47
7. Callin' Heaven 3:40
8. Nature Of The Beast 3:15
9. Thrive On Your Vibe 3:59
10. You Are Invited 4:07
11. Around The Sun 4:03
12. Blue Roots 4:00

Listen To Samples Here

Bio

Arthur Adams has been a popular mainstay of the blues scene in Los Angeles for many years. As the featured house bandleader at B.B. King’s blues club in Universal City, Arthur exposed patrons night after night to his soulful blend of silky rhythm & blues combined with his searing guitar and buttery smooth vocal delivery. The Tennessee native got his start early in life at six years old singing in the church choir and later acquired his first guitar as he entered into his teens. His initial inspiration came from guitarist Howard Carroll of the American gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds, but Arthur also displays an obvious affection and stylistic debt to the six string attack of longtime friend B.B. King.

Arthur traveled throughout the south early on in his career before eventually heading out west and settling in Los Angeles in the mid-sixties. His first album, “It’s Private Tonight” released in 1972, firmly established the silky smooth vocal presence and guitar style that still comprises Arthur’s signature sound of today. Over the years, Arthur’s talent and versatility in the studio proved invaluable as his skills were consistently utilized for numerous recording projects for film and television, along with extensive session work that includes albums by Jimmy Smith, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Lowell Fulson, The Crusaders and Bonnie Raitt. In 1991, Arthur played rhythm guitar and contributed two songs, “Mean And Evil” and “Something Up My Sleeve,” to B.B. King’s album “There Is Always One More Time” on MCA Records. King later returned the favor appearing on Arthur’s comeback release “Back On Track” in 1999.

When Randy Chortkoff established Delta Groove Music in 2004 with the label’s very first effort “That Represent Man” by The Mannish Boys, Arthur was invited to appear on stage with the band at several of their live performances and was later featured as a special guest on Mitch Kashmar’s debut release “Nickels & Dimes.” So when Arthur approached Delta Groove about his latest project, naturally he was welcomed in with open arms. “Stomp The Floor” features Arthur Adams’ signature brand of soulfully sweet rhythm & blues filled with melodic hooks, classy arrangements and impeccable songwriting, affirming once again Arthur’s status and rightful place amongst the genre’s most celebrated and beloved artists.

Arthur Adams "Private Tonight"

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