Jose Ramirez – Major League Blues

16-04-2022

Costa Rica, literally : the "Rich Coast", is part of Central America and is the homeland of Jose Ramirez, a 34-year-old singer, guitarist and songwriter. According to many, he is the "Latin American's premier blues artist", but also in the US and in EU (he has already toured in England, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium) he was already a guest. Ramirez has shared the stage with great blues musicians such as Buddy Guy, Anson Funderburgh, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel and Bryan Lee. Ramirez' band finished in second place at the IBC 2020 in Memphis (TN). In 2020, Ramirez debuted with "Here I Come". It was recorded in Austin (TX), with Anson Funderburgh as producer/guitarist. The band also consisted of: keyboardist; Jim Pugh (Robert Cray, Etta James, BB King), drummer Wes Starr (Mark Hummel, Sam Myers, Delbert McClinton), bassist Nate Rowe (Redd Volkaert, Emily Gimble), and The Texas Horns (Kaz Kazanoff, Al Gomez, John Mills). Ramirez has since moved to Florida and is the first Latin American to recently sign with Delmark Records, a renowned record label from Chicago. His album debut, "Major League Blues" is a 10-track album (eight originals and two blues classics) partly recorded in 2020 and 2021. For the sessions recorded in August 2021 at the Delmark Riverside Studio, José Ramirez was backed by - then with two over-90s in their ranks - Delmark All-Star : Billy Flynn (guitar), 91-year-old Bob Stroger (bass), Willie "The Touch" Hayes (drums), Roosevelt Purifoy (Hammond B3 ) and as more than a special guest, the then 93-year-old Jimmy Johnson (1928-2022). The title track, "Major League Blues" is therefore bittersweet, as it is the last recording by the Chicago blues legend, Jimmy Johnson, who passed away on January 31, in which he can be heard on guitar. After the title song as an opener, an example of delicious Chicago blues that, as I said, was also featuring the "late" Jimmy Johnson, the 2021 session continues with a second song, written by Ramirez, the slow blues à la lettre with a beautiful organ part by Roosevelt Purifoy, "I Saw It Coming". The shuffles "Bad Boy" and "My Love is Your Love" are two classics by Eddie Taylor and Samuel Maghett aka Magic Sam from 1955 (for Vee Jay) and 1957 (for Cobra). During the 2020 sessions, Ramirez and his studio band tapped into a different, quieter vessel. "Whatever She Wants" is one of three songs he wrote with Shelly Bonet, a Florida musician and songwriter, which you can hear in the closing track. The ballad and tears are followed by the intriguing "Here in the Delta", "Forbidden Funk" that's what it says and the relaxed, very atmospheric "Are We Really Different", which stands out for the Latin percussion of Evan Hoffman, the piano of Andre Reyes Jr. and Antonio Reyes, who trades his drums for the bass in the outro, of the most striking and interesting track in part two. After "Gotta Let You Go" there is the soulful closing track,"After All This Time". At 34 years old, blues artist Jose Ramirez has played with some of the biggest names in the blues industry. These artists include Buddy Guy, Anson Funderburgh, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel, Bryan Lee and Mike Wheeler, to name a few. Jose is also the first Latin American Blues artist to sign with Delmark. During the historical sessions that took place in the summer of 2021 at Delmark Records Riverside Studio, Jose received blessings from 93-year-old Jimmy Johnson and 90-year-old Bob Stroger, two of the most well-respected elders of the blues world. Those sessions with the Delmark All-Star Band confirmed that Jose is a 100% Major League Blues player. Witnesses of this session were moved to tears listening to the young Costa Rican trading electrifying phrases with the one and only Jimmy Johnson. The album presents eight original songs and two classic tunes by masters of Chicago blues, Magic Sam and Eddie Taylor. Jose Ramirez's New Album "Major League Blues" features Jimmy Johnson's last recording.

1 Major League Blues 4:18

(with special guest Jimmy Johnson)

2 I Saw It Coming 6:58

3 Bad Boy 4:20

4 My Love Is Your Love 6:50

5 Whatever She Wants 4:08

6 Here In The Delta 5:20

7 Forbidden Funk 3:33

8 Are We Really Different 5:54

9 Gotta Let You Go 5:44

10 After All This Time 4:45

Track 1-4 : The Delmark All-Star Band