Manasota Music Review: RJ Howson

On his new CD, Set it Free, Chicago native RJ Howson stays true to his Chi-town blues roots, while still giving fans plenty of the funky, psychedelic flavor that helps him stand out in a crowded field of up and coming local music talent.

Howson is a musician’s musician, a student of the art who's taken every opportunity to learn from the more experienced on his way up the ladder, and his artisan’s approach is not only evident in the final product of Set it Free, but the slew of talented artists who always show up eager to share the stage for his RJ and Friends bookings.

After wowing the crowd as the headliner for this year’s expanded Giving Hunger the Blues festival at the Van Wezel, he’s proving himself a strong draw at local venues and events, including the Sarasota Seafood Festival last weekend.

For Set it Free, Howson is again joined by a very solid crew of experienced musicians including Chuck Riley on bass, Pat McDonald on drums and, perhaps most notably, Mike Kach on the Hammond B3, which, in perfect sync with Howson’s top-shelf guitar playing, gives the album its signature flavor that's impossible to pin down in a single genre.

Howson and the band manage the difficult task of capturing the laid back yet potent energy of their live performances right from Jump Street with the CD’s title track, a good-time anthem that calls to mind afternoon sets at summer music festivals.

Howson’s blues roots are more evident on tracks like Mojo Mama, Prove This Love is True and Lightnin’ Man. He does some of his best guitar work on the retro-rock styled Make a Joyful Sound as well as on Carry Me Mama, for which Kach contributes some very good piano work. Howson closes the disc with Until We Meet Again, a tender ballad that showcases his soulful vocals.

Manasota Music Review: Kettle of Fish: Living on Someday

Manasota Music Review: Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio: Rock = Live

Dennis Maley is a featured columnist for The Bradenton Times. His regular column focuses on politics and appears each Thursday and Sunday. He also occasionally covers the local theater and music scenes. Dennis' debut novel, A Long Road Home, was released in July, 2015. Click here to order your copy.