Jake E Lee has had a career most would dream of from 1983-1987, he helped Ozzy through the MTV period – adding burning riffs and solos to Ozzy classics 1983’s Bark at the Moon and 1986’s The Ultimate Sin. Though by 1989 he was history like so many of OO’s band-mates over the years. After that I’d argue he went one step better forming the Blues based Hard Rock band Badlands and recording two albums before all but disappearing for over two decades. Next we heard he’d played on Enuff Z’Nuff’s 2010 release ‘Dissonance’ and then in 2013 he climbed fully out into the sunlight to form Red Dragon Cartel.
After a first album that was solid enough and featured a number of guest vocalists this time out the band has solidified with Darren Smith taking all the lead vocals on an album Produced by both Lee and Red Dragon Cartel Bassist Anthony Esposito (ex-Lynch Mob, Ace Frehley band). This time out the sound is a little different too, with echoes of a grungier, more alternative past in the mix along with a nice slice of the Blues.
This is an album that covers a lot of ground from the immediate and cool as hell riff to ‘Speedbag’, through the bluesy ‘Havana’ and the chugging riffage of ‘Crooked Man’ which almost reminds me of the pre-Pearl Jam band ‘Mother Love Bone’ right to the last note of the superb rocker ‘Ink and Water’ which might even be the best track here.
Along the way there’s plenty to grab you and bring a smile to the dial – indeed this sounds like a band who have found themselves here within these grooves. Just listen to the grungy, sludgy blues-soaked opening to ‘The Luxury of Breathing’ and psychedelic crawl and tell me you’re not having fun. Then take a listen to the groove-laden 70’s throwback that is ‘Bitter’ with its wonderful guitar tone or the sizzling guitar that brings the slower ‘A Painted heart’ alive with some inspired bluesy soloing. This is incredibly good stuff.
Brilliant stuff, if you loved the first album this is way ahead… Excellent