Tomislav Goluban Express Connection

April 4, 2021

Tomislav Goluban

Express Connection

Blue Heart Records

Tomislav Goluban was inspired by harp masters Little Walter, Paul Butterfield and Gary Primich. The Croatian musician, whose surname translates to Pigeon, formed Little Pigeon’s Forhill Blues Band in 1997. His debut recording “Pigeon’s Flight” was released in 2005. Goluban traveled to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge.in both 2009 and 2017. Goluban has also played in over twenty European countries and at Norway’s prestigious Notodden Blues Festival. Goluban has founded a blues festival in his hometown, educates students with a “Blues in The Schools” program, and hosts his own radio show.

In 2019 Goluban traveled to Chicago and recorded his tenth album “Chicago Rambler” He followed in 2020 with “Memphis Light” recorded at the Ardent studios in Memphis. He recently returned to the Ardent studios to record his latest album. Co-produced with Jeff Jensen the album features an impressive band. Goluban, harp and vocals is joined by guitarist Jensen; keyboardist Rick Steff, and the rhythm section of Bill Rufino, bass; and David Green, drums. Supporting musicians also include guitarist Mark Johnson, the horn section of Marc Franklin, trumpet, and Kirk Smothers, sax; and additional vocalists Kelly Zirbes and Joseph Franher.

The album features nine originals including three instrumentals. Goluban opens with the title track, the first of the three, and one realizes he is a fully mature Chicago blues harp disciple. The second instrumental is a shuffle, “Extra Boom”, that pays tribute to Chess’ Records “Little Walter”. On the last instrumental “Beast Walk” Goluban pays tribute to the legendary Sonny Terry.

The horns of Franklin and Smothers are featured on the Butterfield inspired “Used To Be Someone” The horns are again featured on the driving plea for peace and social justice “No Future In Your Past”.

Goluban hands over the lead vocal to Zirbes on “Shoestring Blues” and on the Professor Longhair inspired Louisiana Rhumba “Seeds in their Bag”. Other highlights include the Muddy Waters inspired “Babe On The Run”; the humorous country blues “Bite Me Like A Snake” featuring backing vocalist Franher; and a country styled cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Pale Blue Eyes” featuring Johnson on slide.

Croatian Goluban has learned his lessons well as he continues to impress on this fabulous follow-up.

Richard Ludmerer

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