“No Shortcuts”, the eighth album from Big Harp George (the artistic name of veteran musician George Bisharat), is a resounding testimony of performing maturity and instrumental virtuosity. Once again, the San Francisco Bay Area musician, well-known for his past career as a defense attorney and law teacher, proves that there are no shortcuts to true musical success. The heart of the recording rests upon his masterful command of the chromatic harmonica, an instrument George handles with enviable technique, fluidity and a sweet tone. Throughout the whole album, West Coast blues remarkably combines with Latin rhythms, jazz and a highly sophisticated groove, all backed by the flawless support of Chris Burns on keys and a superb horn section.

Lyrically, the album stands out for its deep social and political sharpness. In hard-hitting tracks like “Death Rattle of the Republic”, Bisharat unleashes sharp metaphors about today’s social and political landscape, while the heartbreaking album closing song, “One Day”, mixes a sweet melody with a severe moral criticism, beautifully enhanced by Charlie Bisharat’s violin. There is also plenty of room for pure, danceable enjoyment with masterclass instrumentals like “Mista Boins”.

In short words, “No Shortcuts” is a courageous, energetic, highly eloquent and musically flawless recording that firmly strengthens Big Harp George as a personal unique representative in the contemporary blues scene. VERY GOOD