With a little bit of creative of licence it is possible to draw a fairly straight line from Edmonton Canada to Havana Cuba that intersects New Orleans Louisiana. By keeping these three interconnected locations in mind you can start to piece together the axis that forms the latest album from blues artist Kat Danser. ONE EYE OPEN is the 6th record from a Canadian who successfully transmits an almost intellectual enthusiasm for a music passion into an accessible and attractive package for those not so ingrained in such a style. Praise can be worthy from acknowledged sources, but maybe there is something extra rewarding from unexpected places where folks have tapped into and enjoyed the experience presented.
Working alongside acclaimed musician and producer Steve Dawson in his Black Hen Music operation, Danser serves up ten juicy tracks that comprise of eight originals and a couple of covers. The latter pair pay homage to perhaps two lesser known luminaries of the twentieth century pantheon of American blues music in Gus Canon and Jesse Mae Hemphill. Danser offers her respects and dues in covering 'Bring It With You When You Come' and 'Get Right, Church' from the duo respectively. Thus in doing so plays a small part in keeping a flame flickering.
A big influence throughout is Danser's passion for Afro Cuban Jazz, and its impact upon this album is immense as it had to adapt like so much of pandemic released music to being created virtually in a multitude of remote settings. Not that such peripheral nuggets of information are detectable to the casual ear. What is detectable are hugely notable tracks such as album standout 'Frenchman Street Shake' where we are swiftly taken on an animated journey down to New Orleans, a curious yet striking blues meets punk track in 'One Eye Open' and an atmospheric romantic Spanish sung closer in 'Mi Corazon'.
This trio form a spine to the album to allow some of the other offerings to spiral in several directions. This occurs straight from the off where the jazzy blues vibes of 'Way I Like It Done' set you in the mood for a serious throwback experience. This track had been sectioned as a single to support the album release. You are welcomed to the party in the final throes of the song and can't grumble with the invite. This is immediately followed by the sultry 'Lonely & the Dragon' where shimmers of drooling organ export the proverbial shivers.
A raft of aforementioned songs navigate through the album's middle order before the lower end is anchored by the all-original trio of 'Train Wreck', 'Please, Don't Cry' and 'End of Days'. The first two of these juxtapose as a groovy rocker and a late night smooch-fest before the rather drowsy blues of the third, complete with plenty more appetising organ, emphasises how Danser has successfully curated an eclectic and sumptuous tempo mix in the tracks chosen to update her love of the blues.
From its danceable phase, late night chill out to full-on homage, you feel the heat of ONE EYE OPEN from start to finish. It takes one heck of a dreamer to effortlessly float from the cooler northern climes of Edmonton Canada and execute so much southernly warmth in a record. Kat Danser has achieved this and enlightened a few more folks on her eternal and revivalist journey.