"Refreshing to hear authentic-sounding swing and jive music in a contemporary band sung to such quality."

Initially believing they were from New Orleans or Austin due to the crisp, sublime sound they create it is surprising to read this band actually comes from Kent who bring you here their debut album of sixteen tracks. It is often that you find in bands who perform jive and swing don't really know what they're doing, which in turn comes across as amateur rather than a professional and enjoyable experience. This band is certainly not one which adheres to this musical rule of thumb, but are a cut above the rest.

An admirable attempt it may be, the quality of Get Your Kicks On Route 66 lies not within the energetic sound this band creates but timing in the use of country instruments. Just when you become breathless due to the quality of this version you are hit with some unstoppable harmonica which might seem minimal but the harp player, Mark Churchward, by all means takes advantage of each second he is given. Following on from this track is Pennies From Heaven. It might seem like a foolish idea to try and record another classic, but this is no silly venture as their version is superior in some ways than the artists who attempted it after it was first released all those years ago in 1936. Sounding like a traditional rock and roll love song, this version is as melodic as it is swinging and towards its conclusion will probably see you swinging just that little bit more melancholic to the sweet notes of the saxophone.

Classics aren't the only type of song covered here but tracks which have not been heard previously. Music is such a great entertainer that she enlightens you to material which you might not have heard before and would highly enjoy. Jack You Dead is a prime example of this. With a faster beat than many of the large number of tracks found in this sublime album, it has a big band sound about it that is reminiscent of Ted Heath or Glenn Miller but has the cracking bonus of having some country picking throughout on electric guitar. A tune to entertain those fortunate to have a copy that's for sure. With this, their sixteen track album which has no hint of amateur efforts about it whatsoever, this band is one that as long as they keep gigging and playing material like this than stardom and further success will not be too far around the corner. RH

Russell Hill - Maverick Magazine September 2009 www.maverick-country.com