Josh Smith - Burn To Grow (2018) CD Rip

On Burn To Grow the guitarist continues what his previous two album releases already hinted at: Josh Smith strives for musical diversity while keeping the focus of his music on the blues. What makes contemporaries such as Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes so strong also enhances the sound of the guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer from L.A. Intricate horn arrangements mark some of the soul- and jazz-inspired songs on the new recording, enhancing his vocal skills which have continued to develop over the years. There are plenty of very good guitarists out there but very few guitar virtuosos who are fit to hold a candle to Florida-born Smith while at the same time impressing their audiences with their vocal qualities.

As a guitarist, Smith has achieved a level where he no longer needs to constantly push himself to the fore. Josh Smith knows how to set the course and develop arcs of suspense without steamrolling his listeners.