Aisha Khan & Friends The Magnificent Twelve
Released , May 23, 2024, https://folcrecords.bandcamp.com/album/folc229-aisha-khan-friends-the-magnificent-twelve
Reviewed 4th September 2024 by Rockin Rebel
Members
Aisha Khan
Rajahs band consist of:
Al Nicholls,
Mal Barclay,
Brian Nevill,
Matt Radford.
Appearing on this album are. Big Joe Louis
Big Sandy-Paul Ansell-Madeleine Rose Witney-The Hey Las-Paul-Ronney Angel-Ray Gelato-Carl Sonny Leyland-Deke Dickerson-Carlos Bandido & Tony Diavolo-Howlin’ Ric and Jackson Sloan
Recorded at London’s Cowshed studios and produced by Spanish guitarist, musician and producer Mario Cobo. First recorded in 2023 but now being released on vinyl with future releases on both cd and digital later in the year. Aisha performs a wide range of genres including Soul, Country and Rock n Roll. She as collaborated with some of the finest artist going to make this dream album come through for our listening pleasure. Sit back and let me take you track by track of this great vocalist.
Track by track
Good morning Midnight (with Big Joe Louis)
Kicking of with a duet with two-time award winner Big Joe Louis. Probably the finest blues artist around today with his band the Blues Kings. The track kicks of with some stylish guitar and joined by the drums. Joe takes the lead on vocals before the naturel talent of Aisha joins him. We get some howling and yapping during the musical break adding to the rock n roll vipe. The two vocals really do combine and bring out a great opening track. Aisha wrote the lyrics and Joe put his touch on laying down the guitar.
Laying Down My Cards (with Big Sandy)
Rockin Rhumba rhythm wrote again by Aisha, she also confesses to having Big Sandy in mind with this track. and I can see why. There vocals are just so perfect together. A real romantic feel with the harmonies pulling you in closer, Great stroller or just a great chance to hold your loved one and smooch away.
Come on Little Baby (with Paul Ansell)
Written by Paul, and intended for a female solo, Aisha jumped at the chance when Paul offered to duet on it, if there is one thing about Mr Ansell vocals is that it can match any style or genre. He can get your legs dancing or break your heart with some love song. Paired with Aisha and you just get a match made in heaven. The backing as a distinct 60s vibe with its guitar licks and sax.
Travelling Heavy (with Madeleine Rose Witney)
Madeleine Rose Witney is one of the up rising stars out of the London’s Jazz scene. Using influences from the late 30s and early 40s she is kicking the doors open with her outstanding vocals. listening to the two vocals its like to peas that came out of the same pod. Soft and slow, moody and blue with a great backing from the band. Another great track written by Aisha.
Shake it For Your Mama (with the Hey Las)
What a curve ball, this track just takes your feet to the dancefloor before you put your drink down. Intro replicates the classic Ottis Reading song “I CAN’T TURN YOU LOOSE”. Then the sound of Motown rocks through with a fantastic track. the Hey Las provide a backing vocal that comes right out of the 60s. wonderful stuff. We all loke abit of Motown Don’t we?
Eyes of Grey (with Paul-Ronney Angel)
Describes himself as, Chief Mouthpiece, Songwriter & Guitar Slinger. But his mouthpiece is just electrifying on this slow heartbreak break up ballad. We have had many duets and duos over the years, and this is right up there with the best. Both vocals are sung with feeling and pain and Pauls low down gritty voice just takes the song to another level. Aisha gives a truly brilliant vocal that has vulnerability and hope. Backed by a powerful musical score from the band that just wraps the song into its arms.
Big Jamboree (with Ray Gelato)
If you’re looking for somebody to bring the best out of British jazz then look no further than Ray “the Legend” Gelato. With his Jump Blues and swing style meeting the vocals of Aisha its set to be a sound sizzling sensation. And I’m not wrong, fast paced jiver with the big band backing. Aisha can adapt her vocals to just about any style and remain fresh and strong.
Transatlantic Boogie (with Carl Sonny Leyland)
Once again Aisha is using the very finest artist from the UK. Carl is the master of England’s musicianship with Anglo-American boogie woogie, blues and jazz. A pianist that takes your ears for a musical treat with every note played. Aisha basically tells the story of Carls move across to the USA. Whilst allowing him to demonstrate the raw talent of his pumping piano. Aisha gives yet another brilliant vocal to this boogie woogie, toe tapping, hand clapping performance.
Looking For Another Girl (with Deke Dickerson)
Aisha partners up with Deke whom styles in the rockabilly/hillbilly fused with western swing and rock n roll. Quilty guitar on this stop and start country styled track. if you listen there is no drums but the cowboy style of knee slapping, your guess to who is slapping them knees. The vocals do rather match each other and provide a great album track.
Besame Mucho (with Carlos Bandido & Tony Diavolo) Consuelo Velázquez
Carlos is no stranger to us at Slap That Bass as we have reviewed his work many times, so we know we are in for a treat. But Carlos and a Mexican bolero (not Italian as most people think). Aisha as took our rock n roll star and shown us a completely different vocal. Together they become one with the vocal and sparks fly out as lyrics. Some great guitar playing from Tony Diavolo. His name suggest that he himself is Spanish, Mexican or even Italian. But this talent his UK born and bread and had his own release in 2013 with “DEVIL IN YOUR MOUTH” this is the only cover version on the album but deservedly takes its place.
Sugar and Spice (with Howlin' Ric)
Not to be confused with the searchers 1963 hit with the same title. I have had the pleasure of seeing this awesome musician with his band the Rocketeers. Ric stands out in the rock n roll world and is always in demand to perform at some of the biggest events in the UK, I know the band are planning a new album themselves soon so is a little teaser for us. Strong Bass leads the backing and Aisha and Ric bring the sugar and spice. Great little number that fits right into the album.
When Hell Freezes Over (with Jackson Sloan)
We close the track reviews with another UK musician that has hit the heights and reputation of one of the finest rock n roll roots players around, playing shows and events all across the world. Great Rockin rhythm to this Mid-paced dance floor filler. Jackson and Aisha voices go together like coffee and cream and the band are the spoon that stirs this blend of music we all know and love,
Summary.
The Magnificent Twelve, WHAT AN ALBUM. Roots music that just brings every emotion out of you, from heartbreaking break ups to floor fillers. Aisha brings together a world of talent to this album and the album brings together the talent to the world. From the writing to the musical score. this album was made with true respect to legends that have passed down their influences. Aisha has blended them together and formed a brand-new root that can be planted and grown then shared worldwide. Well done all concerned. Most enjoyable.
Recommendation
It’s a Winner, we all like rock n roll, rockabilly, jump blues and swing. And they are all on this album. Make a great present y’all.
Bio
Growing up in Britain in the 70’s and 80’s was both a trial and an inspiration. The music came from all sides and subcultures. The UK in those days was a potent melting pot of different youth tribes, music and styles and she found she could pick and choose those which spoke to her most eloquently.
Knowing she was often viewed as an outsider and facing racism in her own life made her look to the experience of other outsiders, particularly the Black American experience of the 19th and 20th Century. The artists and the writers and those whose voices she heard most viscerally, the musicians. It was an immediate and long lasting love affair. Jazz, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul and more spoke to her in a way that was to leave an indelible impression. She came to London in the late 80’s and was involved in the burgeoning Rockabilly scene and from there found her way further back to the birth of Rock & Roll with Rhythm & Blues. She had her first opportunity as a guest vocalist with
Sugar Ray Ford & the Hotshots and then formed her own band Tiger Lily & the Jitterbugs, with which she toured all over Europe and the UK playing many Jazz, Blues and Rock & Roll festivals and venues.She was the first vocalist with the brilliant Blue Harlem, with whom she worked for six years.Thereafter she worked for a few years singing mostly Jazz but then gave up music for almost 15 years toraise a family. Coming back to singing and performing 10 years ago was daunting but also somehow inevitable. Music is always touted as a young person’s game but Aisha finally came into her own after almost four decades of listening, dancing, singing and absorbing a wide variety of musical ideas. Stepping back onto the stage she found her home there once again and since then has gone from strength to strength with two releases and a third one in the bag for later this year. She is backed by the outstanding Rajahs featuring Al Nicholls (Blue Harlem, Sister Suzie, the Big Six, the Big Town Playboys) on sax, Mal Barclay (The Cadillac Kings, Katie Bradley, Oo-Bop-Sh,Bam) on guitar, Matt Radford (Nick Lowe, Tanita Tikaram,Big Joe Louis) on Bass and Danny Howard (King Kurt, The Mamboleros, the Savage Hornets) on drums.
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