Luca Kiella - Ready For You (2021)

Every generation needs an upbeat crooner, and what Harry Connick Jr. was to the Millennials, Luca Kiella could easily be for today’s ears. He’s got an upbeat and boy-next-door voice, writes his own stuff, and knows how two swing in the style of New Orleans romps as hie plays a variety of keyboards with his team of Aaron Weistrop/g, Paul Hall/dr, William Baggett/b, Packy Lundholm/g-perc, Chuck Bontragen/dr and a swinging horn section of Mark Mullins/tb, Bobby campo/tp, and Brad Walker/ts.

With the swaying horns, he boogaloos through the fun “Misstep”, sets fire with his organ grinding on the blue collar “I Hate My Boss” and gives hints of Dr. John with his full fisted piano on “Here No More”. His stride is just right with Weistrop as he struts through “Is There Any Love Left For Me?” while showing his tender side on piano for the heartfelt “Let You Go”. Hall provides a Motown backbeat on “Wanna Love You Tonight” while Baggett gives some tasty bass lines to accompany Kiella on “Many Reasons Ago”. Kiella’s lyrics are well thought out, hip, clever and work well with the danceable charts. When’s this guy hitting So Cal? ~George W. Harris