A record like this has no rights at all to be released in 2019, and should never be sent out to reviewer as a download, because if ever anything belonged on vinyl it’s this. Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels came to fame more than 50 years ago, and it is hard to believe that this isn’t a newly-discovered album from those times as opposed to something which is brand new. Cited as an inspiration by the likes of Bob Seger and Ted Nugent, Ryder has brought together a load of guests and has produced an album which looks back in time to some great hits of rock and soul, and moves between garage and polish as he wraps his rough and raw vocals around them.

James Williamson (The Stooges) is first one up, ripping through Ryder’s biggest hit “Devil With A Blue Dress”, and listen to what Wayne Kramer has to say about his take on “Cool Jerk”, “Ryder is among the greatest soul singers of our generation and the opportunity to play guitar on his version of “Cool Jerk” is a distinct honor for me. It’s one of the greatest songs in recording history. Perfect in every way. I count this as a high-point in my career.” There are blues, soul and rock numbers and the listener can feel the sweat coming out of the speakers. This isn’t sterile music, but something which is down, dirty and inherently sexual – this is the music fathers were worried about. It’s not all raucous, there is some downtime, on numbers such as (“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” performed with blues legend Arthur Adams. Ryder was the last person to perform with Otis Redding, and it is fitting to hear his delicate take on this.

The man has now right to be producing music with this much passion, power and energy at the age of 74, but he is, and any fan of classic soul-infused rock with balls should get this immediately.

Rating: 9/10

Links:
https://mitchryder.net/mitchryder.net/
https://cleorecs.com/