CD REVIEW: MADRID/TEXAS by Jorge Salán & The Mystic Jaywalkers

MADRID/TEXAS by Jorge Salán & The Mystic Jaywalkers 
(Rock Estatal Records)

Consider to be one of the best guitarist from Spain Jorge Salán introduces his latest project, The Majestic Jaywalkers (Juan Carlos Gibaja on bass, Edu Brenes on drums and Pau Alvarez on keyboards) and their debut release, 'Madrid/Texas'. The album features 8 smoking renditions of Blues classics.  This is a complete album from top to bottom. It is a record that need to played entirely and enjoyed as such. Jorge Salán's guitar work is fantastic and the band sounds as if they are having the time of their lives. Jorge Salán's tone is amazing and wears his influenes with pride and acknowledges them, more so that he puts them into overdrive and takes these Blues classics to new heights.  As Jorge Salán  and The Mystic Jaywalkers certainly do on classics like, "Who's Been Talking" (Howlin' Wolf), "The Hunter" (Albert King) and smoking rendition of B.B. King's (R.I.P.), "The Thrill Is Gone".  Also worth mentioning are, "So Hard To Share"( John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers) and the album closing, "The Sky Is Crying"(Elmore James). Jorge Salán' and The Mystic Jaywalkers takes the listener through the album, song by song, taking you by surprise many times, delighting your ears with familiar yet somehow very fresh sounds built around the loose constructs of blues rock. It's one of those recordings where I found myself impressed on first listen, and engrossed completely by my second spin through. It is tasteful and soulful. A great selection of tunes, as well, that expose different tasty elements of playing. If you like the electric blues and the "old school" sound from the past you should check this recording out! Jorge Salán has the ability to mix various genres and influences into his style of blues and his talent on guitar puts him over the top in my book. - Highly Recommended
Tony @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine