This Hampshire four-piece has been around the clubs and festivals for some years (and four albums) but, being at the rockier end of the blues scene, has rather escaped my attention, which probably shows I should be getting out more for this was a real and unexpected treat.

For this first set for Cross Border, they have come up with a well-produced, varied bunch of good, original songs, evidently cut over two days, live-in-the-studio. Singer/guitarist Adam Norsworthy had a hand in writing all tracks – four on his own, a half dozen with bass player Ben McKeown, and one with harp man Derek Kingaby. All feature well in a set that drips with musicianship - Jon Bartley’s drumming, too, being nicely resonant rather than the shed building that characteristics so much British Blues.

Lengthy solos are eschewed for some nice, extended riffing, and whilst not overlong by today’s standards (nor by any means, all blues) , the tracks benefit from conciseness and variation, from the infectiously funky Honey Rock, to the tight boogieing of Thunder in the Air – and the folk rock closer, Precious Time, is downright beautiful.

***** out of 5 

Brian Smith, May 2010 issue of Rock’n’Reel Magazine