REVIEW: The Blacktails' Inside Man

[Rick Foster]

The Blacktails deliver a hip blend of original jazz, pop and blues sounds on their latest CD, "Inside Man."

The New York outfit oozes sophistication with their songwriting and instrumental playing, but there's nothing highfaluting about this disk which is imbued throughout with a good-times feel.

"Inside Man" contains plenty of variety, from the title tune that tastes and feels like jazz-influenced pop, to rip-roaring instrumentals like "Santa Ana" where the band gets to flex its considerable muscle.

With musical influences drawn from American Roots Music to West Coast Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Surf Rock & Blues, The BlackTails are known for their outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical arrangements.

On the heels of their debut album, “Spy Lounge”, Scotch Whiskey company Dewars drew them into the spotlight by licensing the track “Off the Rack” and promoting the group as a featured band in their 2006-2007 national advertising campaign.

The Blacktails also recorded two concept albums for children, “Baby Blues” and “Swingset”, designed to attract younger audiences to blues and roots music.

Visit: www.theblacktails.com