Originally released in Europe, this features a reconstituted
Canned Heat lineup from 1988. Drummer
Fito de la Parra and bassist
Larry Taylor are the only two left over from the old days, but that doesn't seem much of a problem here, as top-flight guitar work from
Junior Watson and James Thornbury drives these songs right along. There's a nice, organic feel to many of the tracks, with minimal production on some providing a welcome rough touch. There's a fine remake of "Bull Frog Blues" aboard, but tracks like "Hucklebuck," "(So Fine) Betty Jean," "I Love to Rock and Roll," and "Mercury Blues" are the big tickets here. One of the group's best latter-day albums. ~ Cub Koda