Title: Right Man, Right Now

Artist: Zac Harmon

Label: Blind Pig

Formats: CD, MP3

Release date: August 28, 2015

Mississippi-born musician Zac Harmon is a triple threat whose versatility as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and organist is on full display in his latest release Right Man, Right Now. A blend of traditional and original songs penned primarily by Harmon, the album features eleven supremely funky tracks that draw from blues, R&B and rock. This complexity is accomplished through a large compliment of assisting musicians. In addition to Harmon and his band (Buthel on bass guitar, Cedric Goodman on drums, and Cory Lacy on keyboards), he’s added a dozen top studio musicians including Jimmy Z on harp and sax, BR Millon and Gregg Wright on guitar, and the late James “Hot Dog” Lewis on keyboards. And that’s not all. Lucky Peterson joins Harmon on three outstanding tracks: the opening party song “Raising Hell,” the emotionally charged slow burner “Stand Your Ground” (“You shoot me down with no reason / just to stand your ground”), and “Hump in Your Back,” which also features a kicking horn section and an extensive guitar solo by Bobby Rush. Here’s the first single from the album, “Long Live the Blues”:

In addition to five dueling guitarists and top notch backing musicians who really dig deep into the groove, Right Man, Right Now is also made exceptional by Harmon’s vocals. Not only can he sing the blues, but he can croon with the power and conviction of Marvin Gaye, and get down and dirty in the lower register. This album is highly recommended for fans of contemporary blues.

Listen on Spotify here.

Reviewed by Brenda Nelson-Strauss