Here’s Laura B and The Moonlighters’ debut album. She’s been called the « UK’s new diva of Rhythm’n’Blues ». Though I wouldn’t go that far, I must admit she has a pretty good voice,with jump blues influences and some Ella Fitzgerald thrown in for good measure (ok, she ain't Ella, but who is?). The 14 songs are all covers but choosen with taste including stuff by Ruth Brown, Wynona Carr, Lavern Baker, Big Maybelle… you get the idea. The Moonlighters themselves are a solid and very tight backing band but that’s not a surprise when you see their pedigree.  They're all veterans from well known jump, jive and rhythm’n’blues bands (Ocean’s Seven, Juke Joint Jump, Sugar Ray’s Flying Fortress, Alabama Slammers and The Mike Sanchez Band).
My sole regret is the production and the sound of the whole thing that I find a bit thin, especially for this kind of music. I would have loved to hear a fuller sound with juicy saxes and warm drums (more in the style of Red Peters or The Jive Bombers). Anyway that’s a minor flaw and it remains a very enjoyable album, especially for a debut.

Available at El Toro, Rootscd and cdbaby.
Fred "Virgil" Turgis