Markey Blue Ric Latina Project - Blue Eyed Soul (2024)

This is the new album from the songwriting team of Jeannette “Markey” Blue and Eric “Ric” Latina. Formerly on Eller Soul Records they are now on Soul Sound. The number of musicians involved in this production is considerable so please forgive me if I don’t mention them all. On the opening track “Crazy Over You” and throughout the recording we get to hear the sweet and sexy voice of Markey Blue. On keyboards are both Markey and Mark Jordan, while the background vocalists include Vickie Carrico, Lauren Anderson and Markey. The rhythm section includes Randy Coleman, bass; and David Northrop, drums. Throughout the recording we hear the masterful playing of Ric Latina who can sometimes make his guitar sound like a pedal steel.

On “Raining Down on Me” Markey is on keyboards along with James Sonnetag. Coleman is on bass, this time with drummer Dion Clay; while the background vocalist is Shaun Murphy. On “So Much” the lineup doesn’t change. “Baby I’m Crying” was written with Anna Henderson; Steve Cropper “Couldn’t get the song out of his head” and so the Stax legend was asked to produce the vocal. On “Set My Heart Free” we get to hear the saxophone of Dana Robbins whose credits include playing with Delbert McClinton.

“When I Close My Eyes” features the lyric “all I see is you” sung by dreamy Markey. “Can’t Let You Go” is another reminder of Latina’s masterful guitar. On “Me Missing You” Markey sings “what is this, this is me missing you…what a foolish game, this is me missing you”. “Come On” features an airy but funky beat with the horns of Miqui Gutierrez, saxophone, and Scott Ducaj, trumpet; Truman Virden, is on bass, while Clay plays drums. On the closer Markey sings “what am I gonna do when you walk away”.

Markey is sweet and sexy on this beautiful new album. So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back, and let these soulful blues vibes wash over you.