Kermit Ruffins has taken the mantle as being the Ambassador of New Orleans Music. His wonderfully earthy voice and joyful trumpet exude everything good about the sounds of the Crescent City. This latest album has him with Kevin Morris/b, Jerry Barbarin Anderson/dr and Yoshitaka Tsuju/p-k along with guest musicians and vocalists for a rousing collection of trad sounds. A street party atmosphere features Ruffins’ sweet horn on “I’m So New Orleans” and “Jock-A-Mo”while Tsuju’s piano rollicks to Ruffins wail on “Tipitina.” A funky marimba on “Mexican Special” leads to a gospelish back beat with Nay Jones delivering a fevered “At Last.” In contrast, Kaylin Orleans Ruffins is sweet as a praline on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and Ruffins delivers a second take of “I’m So New Orleans by rattling off his bona fides like the Apostle Paul. Gotta love a guy who loves his home town. Dripping with joy!
Basin Street Records