The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling Rides High with "Get Your Back into It!"

The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling – Get Your Back into It!

Alligator Records ALCD 5013

www.nickmoss.com

14 songs – 52 minutes In the blues universe, where authenticity and skill reign supreme, The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling stands as a powerhouse duo that effortlessly captures the essence of the genre. Their latest release, "Get Your Back into It!" on Alligator Records, is nothing short of a blues revelation—a 14-track tidal wave of originals that seamlessly weaves traditional Windy City stylings with a contemporary take on jump blues and swing.

Nick Moss, hailing from Chicago, and harmonica maestro Dennis Gruenling, a New Jersey native, have forged a musical partnership that beautifully fuses their distinct influences. With Nick being the last student of the legendary Jimmy Rogers and Dennis putting his unique spin on blues born in the nightclubs of the '40s and '50s, their collaboration is a marriage of Midwest cool and high-energy flash.

The album, co-produced by Moss and Rodrigo Mantovani, unfolds with the rollicking jump number "The Bait in the Snare," where a stinging guitar run sets the stage. The smooth and lilting "Aurelie" pays homage to France and seamlessly transitions into the title track, "Get Your Back into It," a love-at-first-sight anthem that encourages immediate connection. Gruenling and keyboardist Taylor Streiff shine with standout solos in this track.

Dennis Gruenling takes the spotlight on vocals and reeds in the rousing "Man on the Move," describing the busy life of a traveling musician. "Living in Heartache" slows down the pace with a soulful and timeless slow blues, showcasing Moss's vocal depth. The instrumental "It Shocks Me Out" offers Rodrigo and Taylor an opportunity to display their musical prowess, delivering a stop-time number with classic blues appeal.

Special guests "Sax" Gordon Beadle and "Brother" John Kattke join for "Out of the Woods," an instrumental that adds a classic '40s jazz edge to the mix. The slow blues of "Choose Wisely" is a cautionary tale about the consequences of decisions, leading into Gruenling's spirited boogie, "Your Bark Is Worse Than Your Bite." Moss returns with "Losing Ground," expressing that a rocky romance is still better than no romance at all.

The instrumental "Bones' Cantina" maintains a steady rhumba beat as Moss and Gruenling pay tribute to a fallen friend. "Lonely Fool" delivers a poignant lament about sleeping alone, leading to "The Solution," a deep-azure homage to guitarist Jimmy Johnson. The album concludes with the surf-guitar-inspired instrumental "Scratch 'n' Sniff."

Recorded by Pete Galanis at Rancho de Rhythm in Elgin, Ill., with additional work in Chicago, "Get Your Back into It!" is a testament to the band's prowess. The rhythm section, comprised of Rodrigo Mantovani on bass and Pierce Downer on percussion, lays a solid foundation. Taylor Streiff's keyboards add depth, while special guests enhance the sonic palette.

The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling has been on an upward trajectory since joining Alligator Records in 2018, and "Get Your Back into It!" is a crowning achievement. With this release, they not only maintain their status at the pinnacle of the blues world but also elevate their craft to new heights. This album is a must-listen for blues aficionados and a testament to the enduring power and innovation within the genre. "Get Your Back into It!" is a blues journey that you'll want to embark on over and over again.