Supersonic Blues Machine: West of Flushing, South of Frisco Review

Supersonic Blues Machine, formed by bassist and vocalist Fabrizio Grossi, and drummer Kenny Aronoff with guitarist Lance Lopez, has just set out on their maiden voyage with their release West Of Flushing South Of Frisco. In addition to the already stellar line up, the release features guest performances by Billy Gibbons, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Robben Ford, Eric Gales and Chris Duarte making this super group even “more super.”

If you are familiar with Lance Lopez’s music then you know that this album is all about hard driving southern rock and blues based riffs. The album opens with the southern rock inflected “Miracle Man.” All the Lopez penned tracks are strong but here he shows off his knack for great hooks. In the right hands (or wrong hands depending on your point of view) the hooks are catchy enough to find a home on country radio. But don’t be alarmed. He follows up with the minor key grooving “I Ain’t Falling Again” and from that point on, the album just burns the entire farm to the ground.

The guest artists all put their unique stamp on their perspective tracks. Billy Gibbon’s “Running Whiskey” could be a lost ZZ Top track and “Remedy” with Warren Haynes would sound at home on a Gov’t Mule record. Both Chris Duarte and Eric Gales give empassioned performances. The ballad “Let’s Call It A Day” is a perfect vehicle for the legendary Robben Ford and shows him at this melodic best. He and Lance even do a little harmony work on the intro as well as near the end of the track.

West of Flushing, South of Frisco is a total treat for the those of us who crave great hard driving blues based rock and ear frying guitar playing. The core of Supersonic Blues Machine of Lopez, Grossi, and Aronoff have nothing to prove. They could easly have carried the entire project themselves. The guest stars are just icing on an already very tasty cake.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Miracle Man
– Running Whiskey
– I Ain’t Falling Again
– Nightmares and Dreams
– That’s My Way

The Big Hit

– Remedy