If there is a band which brings together the essence of the blues with a superb stage presence, some fantastic musicians and a varied attractive repertoire in equal parts, undoubtedly it is Rick Estrin with his Night Cats. The band guarantees an outstanding quality as they really know how to build up a repertoire full of swing and groove, together with funny ironic lyrics, sometimes with a sarcastic corrosive sense of humor, as well as presenting live shows rich in color, good attitude and fun.

The four band musicians are well known to the blues lovers. Rick Estrin’s particular voice gives the band a totally recognizable peculiar identity that leaves no one indifferent.

At the age of twelve, Rick started to listen to Ray Charles’, Jimmy Reed’s, Champion Jack Dupree’s or Mose Allison’s recordings. Estrin learned to play harmonica at the age of fifteen and, when he was only eighteen years old, you already could see him on stage playing with old historical bluesmen like Lowell Fulson, ZZ Hill, Filmore Slim, Muddy Waters and many others. The other Night Cats members are guitar player Kid Andersen, producer and musician born in Norway who, at the age of twelve, became obsessed with the blues of Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, T-Bone Walker, Albert, Freddie and B.B. King, learning from them all the guitar secrets and techniques. Lorenzo Farrell is on bass and keyboards. Lorenzo comes from Kentucky and, at the age of five, began to study piano and double bass a little bit later, joining the Night Cats in 2003. Finally, Derrick Martin is on drums, but he is also a remarkable producer, songwriter, singer, educator and an impressive entertainer. For seventeen years he was drummer in Little Richard’s band, as well as having also worked with Bobby Rush, Dorothy Moore, Carla Thomas, Billy Preston, Big Jack Johnson, Bob Margolin, and Syl Johnson among others.

Twelve songs give shape to the recording. All of them confirm the strength, versatility, rhythm, variety and good taste of one of the best actual blues bands.

Once again, this album becomes one more great success by Alligator Records, which, as usual, deserve our deep and congratulations, as they always pleasantly surprise us with all their new releases.