Yates McKendree’s childhood mostly took place at Rock House Studios, ran by his father, producer, engineer and piano player Kevin McKendree. Only aged three he learned to play several instruments in a totally self-taught way and music was always present in his life. Although Yates is only twenty-one years old, he already gathers ten years of professional experience. Besides, he has worked as a sound engineer in some projects and, in January 2020, he received a Grammy for his work as a musician and engineer on Delbert McClinton’s album, “Tall, Dark & Handsome”.

This is his debut solo album and includes thirteen songs, two of them instrumentals, written in collaboration with Gary Nicholson. The rest are dark versions of some of his blues and soul heroes he has deeply admired since he was three years old, who helped him to discover and learn to play guitar, bass, drums or piano, as well as developing a vocal technique which allows him to become a more than interesting singer. As I have just said, Yates has written several of the album songs, but he also includes some cuts coming from T-Bone Walker, (mention that Yates takes out the same sound, nuances and phrasing of the great T-Bone), Tampa Red, Dr. John, Guitar Slim, Earl King or B.B. King, among others.

A fantastic, intense album, full of nuances and virtues that will surely call the fans’ attention and make them discover the qualities and talent of a young value with a promising future ahead.