Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men "Reclaim Your Land"

 

 

Last year I got introduced to an amazing Canadian group fronted by an even more amazing female singer, which called themselves Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce. I was so impressed with their Debut album, "Tales From Lenny's Diner", that I picked them as Best Debut Album (Band) (Canada) in my 2010 Year End Review, as well as, #10 on my Blues Underground Network's Top 10 Albums 2010 List. Now this year, 2011, anther Canadian based group fronted by yet another amazing female singer has caught my attention and that group is called Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men and their dynamic full length Debut album is called "Reclaim Your Land".

 

Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men is a band based out of Brandon, Manitoba and consists of an international mix of Canadians, British, and American Artists. The Hip Shakin' Mama on the band is Shelley-Lynne Hardinge. As a Canadian performer she has had her share of fronting numerous bands, from Rock to Country, throughout her career. With the addition of The Leg Men, "she has shared the stage with Take With Audio and The Sheepdogs in July 2011. She has played along side of  JD Edwards, NQ Arbuckle and Romi Mayes to name a few. She has opened for Buffy Saint Marie,  Danny B, Wax Mannequin, and the Weber Brothers ." Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men have also toured extensively throughout Canada, Europe, and yearly in Mazatlan, Mexico. "Reclaim Your Land" marks Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men's first Full Length Album of all Original Material.

 

Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men "Reclaim Your Land" consists of 11 power packed Tracks of truly Hip Shakin' Mama music. Shelley-Lynne Hardinge shows off her other immense talents as the writer of all the music and lyrics on this album. Combine that with her amazing voice and second to none band members, and you really have one hell of a tour de force of exceptionally performed songs. Joining Shelley-Lynne on "Reclaim Your Land" were The Leg Men consisting of Gerry Perkin (Guitar), Doug Sullivan (Drums), Dave Oakey (Harmonica), Phil Nevile (Keys on Tracks 1 & 5), Rob Lamonica (Keys & Hammond), Adrian Kuryliw (Bass on Track 2), Richie Hardinge (Bass & Husband of Shelley-Lynne).

 

The music on "Reclaim Your Land" is really a group effort, with the entire band getting to shine on virtually all the Tracks. Shelley-Lynne Hardinge, for sure is the focal point, but The Leg Men are such good musicians that they can't help but also shine on this album, whether it be the great Key work of Phil Nevile and Rob Lamonica, most notable on over half the Tracks, or Dave Oakey on Harmonica that shines through on Track 8 "Funkalicious Sugar Blue". Gregg Perkin's amazing Guitar work takes center stage on the Santana sounding Track 5 "She Doesn't Want You" and Track 7 "I've Been Loving You To Long", which to me sounded a bit like Blue Suede Shoes. Rock solid Bass by Adrian Kuryliw and Richie Hardinge, along with the superb beat of Doug Sullivan, makes for an extremely tight and formidable band.

 

Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men really reminded me a fair bit of Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce and if my hunch is right, I can easily see Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men nominated for 1 or more Maple Blues Awards next in 2012, just like Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce, has done this year.

 

"Reclaim Your Land" really shows off the immense talent that Canada has, as far as great musicians, singers, and songwriters go.

 

"Reclaim Your Land" was a very enjoyable Album to listen to and one that I have no problem Highly Recommending for not only lovers of Female Fronted Blues Bands, but also for those that just like listening to great music.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Official Website:

 

http://www.hipshakinmusic.com/