The 44's "Boogie Disease"

 

 

 

The 44's are based out of Los Angeles and consist of members Tex Nakamura (Harmonica), Johnny Main (Singer/Guitarist), Mike Turturro (Upright Bass), and J.R. Lozano (Drums). Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura was with the band "War", from 1993 to 2006, as both a Harmonica player and Vocalist. Mike Turturro had stints with both Lnywood Slim and Candye Kane. The 44's really got noticed in 2007 when they managed to come in 4th at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They also got noticed by Kid Ramos, Guitar Virtuoso for the bands The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, and most recently Los Fabulocos, and it is through Kid Ramos that they released their full length debut album "Boogie Disease". In addition, Kid Ramos was not only the Co-Producer for "Boogie Disease", but he also played guitar on 4 Tracks and wrote one of the songs, "Johnny Cochino".

 

The 44's have attracted the attention of numerous great artists including Los Lobos whom they toured with in 2008, as well as backing blues greats Johnny Dyer and Rod Piazza, to name just a few. Beyond their extensive fan base, The 44's have also garnered numerous rave reviews for their shows, which of one attended by Critic Robert Kinsler he writes, concerning their 2009 show at The Doheny Blues Festival, “Any overview of my day has to include the strong set by the 44’s,an electric blues band that kicked off the action with a set of Chicago blues crossed with primal rock “n”roll”. Now with "Boogie Disease", their debut release for Rip Cat Records, The 44's show us an ailment that we would all love to catch.

 

"Boogie Disease" consists of 9 powerful Tracks, 2 originals, "Pull My Strings" and "Boogie Disease", which are credited to all the members of the band, 6 dynamic interpretations of songs originally written by greats Lester Butler ("So Low Down"/Going to the Church"), William Clarke ("Blowing Like Hell"), Willie Dixon ("Take It Easy"), Howlin' Wolf ("Commit a Crime"), and Willie Love ("Automatic"), and the last Track, which is an instrumental written by Kid Ramos ("Johnny Cochino"), for which he nearly burns a hole in the CD with his scorching 50's style guitar work.

 

Both Lester Butler and William Clarke were "West Coast Harmonica Wizards", so one would expect some great Harmonica work when covering their music, and believe me that is exactly what you get from Harmonica virtuoso Tex Nakamura as he rips through Butler's and Clarke's music as if he had originally written it himself. Willie Love's fame comes as an American Delta Blues Pianist, "best known for his association with, and accompaniment of Sonny Boy Williamson II". Love's Blues and Boogie style is masterfully represented with the Track "Automatic".

 

The music off of "Boogie Disease" is super solid and tight, with all the artists talents coming to the fore front. Singing, was not only second to none via Johnny Main's great Vocals, but it is also highlighted for his uniqueness of sound, which were perfect for the style of music they play. Those of us whom love the Harmonica will be thrilled with the masterful playing of Tex Nakamura, as he both softly plays in the background on some Tracks and blows it out of the ball park on others, especially on Track 7 "Blowing Like Hell". As far as Bass playing is concerned, I can't say enough about Mike Turturro's mastery of the Upright Bass, which I simply love, not only listening to, but when I get a chance, actually seeing someone play it. Keeping the beat to perfection was J.R. Lozano, whom knew when to pound the skins hard and when to pound them softly. Filling in on 4 Tracks was the incomparable Kid Ramos whom rounded out the music on "Boogie Disease" to perfection. Having him on board added just the right amount of spice and complimented the style of The 44's wonderfully.

 

"Boogie Disease" was certainly one of the best straight Boogie and Blues albums that I have had the pleasure of listening to, so far, for 2011, and as exciting as their music is, it is even more exciting to hear that another release from The 44's is planned for later this year.

 

When I listened to "Boogie Disease", it was certainly not hard to see why The 44's have such a huge fan base and why their shows are not only enthusiastically received, but also enthusiastically looked forward to. For the shear fun, excitement, and exhilaration that The 44's and "Boogie Disease" offers, I just have to give this album my highest rating of 5*****. "Boogie Disease" is a great album from a great band I am sure we will all be hearing much more of.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

 

 

Additional Info

 

Tracklist

 

1. Pull My Strings 5:54
2. So Low Down 4:00
3. Take It Easy 4:00
4. Boogie Disease 3:46
5. Commit a Crime 6:25
6. Going to the Church 3:45
7. Blowing Like Hell 2:40
8. Automatic 4:08
9. Johnny Cochino (Featuring Kid Ramos)

 

Listen To Samples Here...

 

Websites:

 

http://www.the44sband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/the44sband

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