Jake Karlik Band – Self-Titled
This durable showcase comes off like a modern-day sounding Ricky Medlocke when he played for Blackfoot. The opening track “The Mountain” soars, loud & urgent that has both a head-bopping quality & dance step groove. The band has the softer qualities of Blackfoot as well with “Break of Day” where their mature & ballad sharp melody cruises with the Southern-blues rock spirit. Oklahoma-based, the 8-track Self-Titled (Dropped Oct. 23/Horton Records/35:02) LP was produced & recorded in Tulsa by Kendal Osborne, Paul Latta (drums/bgv) & Jake Karlik (guitar/vocals).
“Where Did You Sleep?” tightens the reins & summons a darker melodic sense to a wonderful effect. The funkier “Take Me Back” doesn’t grip as soulfully as say, the Average White Band, Wild Cherry or even the more mainstream Archie Bell & the Drells, but they give it a great effort that’s commendable. Good arrangement, persistent lead guitar with taste.
Jake’s vocals have a soulful complexion with lots of energy & a brushed wool sound. The dual guitar workouts are fiery & the band’s well-rehearsed on their well-constructed songs. Jake’s intonation is good, not as bluesy, warm & powerful as Duane Allman, or off-the-leash as Ronnie Van Zandt, but Karlik does have a vocal-identity. There’s nothing radically new musically here but what’s on display is skill & a diverse set of interesting songs that tip the hat to the Southern rock style of Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot & a little of the Allman Brothers.
The guitar interplay is impressive (“All I Need”) & the band is persistent in their element. They haven’t found their “Jessica,” “Ramblin’ Man,” “Midnight Rider” or “Free Bird” yet, but be patient. “Over Now Babe” is more soulful with emerging piano notes, warm bluesy singing that morphs into anvil heavy vocals – this has color. Sung slow in places, narrated with sincerity & soulful integrity. Otis Redding would’ve covered this if he had heard it.
“Arabella” has expressive lead guitar splashing around, but the funkiness is a bit contrived despite the skillful playing. It has to do with the genre not been lived in. Even the best musicians & singers are victim of this – opera singer Renee Fleming recording an album of rock songs, yes, she did, Pat Boone with an LP of heavy metal songs, yes, he did, & Captain Beefheart going mainstream, oh yeah.
The Jeff Karlik Band shines on the Southern rock-blues highway, but the funk is more of a service road. Good live — but not on an album. The band itself? Excellent.
Highlights – “The Mountain,” “Break of Day,” “Where Did You Sleep?” “All I Need” & “Over Now Babe.”
Musicians – Ian McGuire (guitar), Greg Zink (keys) & Sky Slater (bass).
Color image courtesy of the band’s Facebook. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://www.facebook.com/JakeandtheIdols/