The James Blood Ulmer Blues Experience - Live at the Bayerischer Hof (2016) [Hi-Res]

What makes James „Blood“ Ulmer such an unusual and distinctive performer is that his music is a powerful synthesis of musical genres, the product of more than 30 years of playing in a wide variety of contexts. On this recording, Ulmer's first live album in ten years, he is featured with what he regards as his definitive trio, playing at the peak of their musical power in Munich's celebrated Bayerischer Hof Hotel. Says Ulmer: 'The trio was in great form on this particular night.We were burning up! I think this is the best damn' record I ever made - it's certainly the best attempt I've made yet at putting all the strains of my music together on one album.'

James Blood Ulmer says: As far as I can recall this was my 21st recording and, to tell you the truth, I think it s the best damn record I did up to that point because we where really making music that night. The vibes where right, the inspiration was there and it was just one of those rare nights where you can feel the electricity in the air.

„The 21st album from Ulmer, who was working here with new arrangements of material, a new lineup for the Blues Experience (with bassist Amin Ali returning and drummer Aubrey Dayle replacing Grant Calvin Weston) and a brand-new 24-bit digital recording system based around a Mac Quadra hard disc recording system. Engineer Winnie Leyh's live mix to two-track is outstanding, and the performances are very fine indeed. Ulmer's vocal style is engagingly rough and heartfelt, pure blues all the way; this provides an effective contrast to his convoluted guitar work (and the band's support). Ulmer's guitar work is outstanding, transcending the blues label and heading for the outer territories of jazz at quite a rate of knots.“ (Steven McDonald, AMG)

'You just can't shake the feeling that James Blood Ulmer is the funkiest man alive....[the band moves] easily between free jazz, rock, funk and blues as if they were all part of one big, boogeying organism (which they are)....this disc will get all but the most resolute wallflowers going.' (JazzTimes)