Throughout his career,
Taj Mahal
has always been considered a bluesman, which is true enough, since the basis for everything he does has been the
country blues
, but he is not a traditionalist at heart, and he has always looked for ways to push the
blues
into new places and shapes. Adding at times rhythms and sensibilities that are drawn from
reggae
,
ragtime
calypso
zydeco
, and other genres,
Mahal
practices a kind of
hybrid that is his alone, and he has been a huge influence on newer artists like
Chris Thomas King
and
Corey Harris
. This collection derives from the five albums he recorded with
Private Records
during the 1990s, and overlaps somewhat with
The Best of the Private Years
, released in 2000. Highlights include his version of
Doc Pomus
'
"Lonely Avenue,"
a
bebop
take on
Horace Silver
's
"Senor Blues,"
and an atmospheric reading of
Goffin & King
"Take a Giant Step."
Among the most interesting tracks here are the ones penned by
himself (
"Mailbox Blues,"
"Cakewalk into Town,"
"New Hula Blues"
), each of which demonstrates aptly the singer's melting-pot approach to the
. ~ Steve Leggett