ASH GRUNWALD: Give Signs (Delta Groove/Shock)

THE singer/guitarist's fourth outing is his most fully realised work to date. This time around he has spent more time in the studio and the attention to detail shows, not only in his grinding guitars but also in the soulful vocals. He uses percussion and drum loops but it's hardly slick stuff , Grunwald still sounds like he's got one foot in the Mississippi mud. Kicks off with the infectious Serious and from there it only gets darker and dirtier on Skywriter Hijack, Money, Take the Drop, Thinktank and the digital click of the title track. A fine modern bluesman, but no mere imitator.

JEFF CRAWFORD