JJ Grey & Mofro – Olustee (Alligator Records, 2023)
Blues outfit JJ Grey & Mofro’s latest offering, Olustee (2023), highlights Grey’s continued exploration of his multifaceted musical, lyrical, and gritty baritone vocals. Immersed in the mythical tales of the American South, particularly his ancestral Florida roots, Grey weaves a narrative enriched by the characters populating his own life. Olustee marks his tenth and first self-produced album in nine years.
The compositions vividly capture the essence of the region, portrayed with a poet’s perspective and delivered with undiluted soulfulness. The eleven tracks traverse a spectrum of emotions, from the contemplative in “The Sea” to the exuberant celebration of the engaging “Wonderland,” and from a harrowing escape from a rampant wildfire in the tittle track to the introspective finale, “Deeper Than Belief.”
Amidst personal triumphs and challenges, Grey’s lyrics convey messages of resilience, aspirations, familial bonds, and an overarching theme of cherishing the natural world while savoring each moment. The album’s essence can be distilled into a straightforward yet potent message: honor the environment, embrace the present, and never underestimate the significance of revelry.
Since his debut album, Blackwater, in 2001, JJ Grey has consistently delivered soulful, funk-infused rock, blues, and Southern soul. Grey’s gritty baritone, fueled by his vivid storytelling, testifies with passion.
Starting with Blackwater and Lochloosa in 2004, released under the name Mofro, Grey signed with Alligator Records, Records in 2007, releasing five successful albums. His band, JJ Grey & Mofro, has graced major festivals worldwide, sharing stages with renowned artists.
Grey’s compositions have featured in films and TV shows, demonstrating his versatility. Beyond music, he is an avid outdoorsman, angler, visual artist, and advocate for environmental preservation.
From playing in Jacksonville juke joints to headlining global stages, JJ Grey’s journey has been defined by soulful honesty and musical mastery.
In the words of JJ Grey, he reflects that the finest songs he has ever written seemed to compose themselves.
Musicians: JJ Grey on vocals, guitars, dobro, keys, harmonica; Craig Barnett on drums & percussion; Todd Smallie on bass; Eric Brigmond on keys, backing vocals; Pete Winders on guitars, acoustic guitars; Dennis Marion on trumpet; Marcus Parsley on trumpet; Kenny Hamilton on saxophone, flute; John Reid on trumpet; Eric Mason on congas, percussion; Katie Dutton on backing vocals; Niki Dawson on backing vocals; Laiken Love on backing vocals; Sage Grey on backing vocals; Paul Curtis on bassoon; Tali Rubenstein on recorders; Lev Zhurbin on fadolin; and Quinn Carson on trombone.
Buy Olustee.
Author: Claudia Taylor
