Murali Coryell

Restless Mind
Shake It Sugar Records

Murali Coryell returns with yet another outstanding release with Restless Mind. His growth as an artist continues to impress me with his soulful voice, strong guitar work and excellent songwriting skills. The son of jazz guitarist Larry Coryell and occasionally second guitarist for Joe Louis Walker’s touring band, Coryell follows his own path in his musical focus and his songs are fine examples of blues with a slight rock edge that are well crafted and memorable. This is Coryell’s ninth release and is right on track with his previous studio recording, the acclaimed Sugar Lips, which prove he is an artist to be reckoned with.

All the songs are originals with the exception of his tasty reading of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” that closes the disc. Alongside Coryell’s tuneful guitar are Ernie Durawa on drums and Chris Alcaraz on bass providing the rhythm section of his regular band and accompanied on two numbers with the horns of Joe Morales and Jimmy Shortell.

His songwriting abilities strike on all accounts throughout the album, with special note to numbers like the R&B feel of “Kiss Me First,” “Crime Of Opportunity” focusing on his soulful singing and a killer guitar solo, “I Can’t Give You Up” with punchy horn lines, the title track “Restless Mind” and perhaps the best song on the disc “Everyday Is A Struggle” with its funky flavor and searing string work.

It seems a little funny to talk about the growth of artist whose first release came out nearly twenty years ago, but sometimes that is the way things work out in music, especially the blues. Murali Coryell is certainly a talent that should be recognized and with his last few recordings this is an artist surely coming into the strength of his career’s output. Restless Mind is an impressive release filled with another spectacular performance of Coryell’s diverse approach to the blues done in his own way and when it comes to modern blues that is a mighty fine direction indeed.

Total Time: 49:15

Waiting And Wasting Away / Kiss Me First / Restless Mind / I’m So Happy / Sex Maniac / Crime Of Opportunity / I Can’t Give You Up / Tag Along / I Need Someone To Love / Lonely Eyes / Everyday Is A Struggle / Let’s Get It On