JJ Grey & Mofro

Olustee

Alligator Records

Olustee is titled for the unincorporated town in north central Florida, west of JJ Grey’s Jacksonville home, which derives its name from the Seminole words for black water. Grey often salutes the aspects and virtues of his home state in song, and Olustee is rife with that homage. Nine years have passed since JJ Grey & Mofro released their previous studio album, and the justification for that gap plays out here in nonstop dazzling songs and performances. Songs that drive forward adventurously but at times tap into 1970s-styled funk. That Alligator Records, one of Chicago’s preeminent blues labels, saw the potential in JJ Grey to expand the label’s horizons 17 years ago, and has remained loyal, alone speaks volumes about this band and this album.

“The Sea” opens the set on a windswept, string-cushioned melody that conjures a drifting towards America, and as JJ Grey sings in imploring voice, “The home of the free.” Topical certainly, and the subtlety in its delivery only enhances the impact. Far removed from the blues generally found on an Alligator recording, the song is lush and welcoming. “Top of the World” then dials up some sunbaked soul, the setting a sandbar boat party, hands waving in the salty air in pure loving life delight. Mofro’s elastic, horn peppered melody suggests to me Alabama’s Wet Willie back in the day, and in fact, Grey sings in a soulful tenor similar to that band’s famous Jimmy Hall.

The title song then explodes on the tensile guitar riffs of Pete Winders, the rhythm of bassist Todd Smallie (an alumnus of the Derek Trucks Band) and drummer Charlie Barnett menacing and picking up the speed of the “Flaming hurricane” Grey sings of. Grey ’s harmonica sounds like a distant warning signal, and guitarist Pete Winders’ long guitar break is the stunning firestorm evoking Florida’s infamous 1998 wildfires. “Seminole Wind” takes another path altogether, the sentiment that of Native Americans, and the preservation of nature. Striking trumpets played by Marcus Parsley, Dennis Marion, and John Reid exemplify the ideals extolled in the song. “Free High,” later, could be a cousin to Black Cherry’s mid-1970s hit, “Play That Funky Music,” Grey reaching fabulous heights in voice.

And, so it goes. The quality and variety never let up on Olustee, a work so accomplished it should win JJ Grey & Mofro awards. The album will certainly show up on my Best of 2024 lists.

 Tom Clarke for MAS

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