Luna '68

"While it is most appropriate homage to refer to the City Champs as an organ trio, it is also a disservice of sorts. To be completely fair, via tracks like "A-Meld- A-Marcos," Restivo, Gamble and Sluppick transcend easy labels altogether by invoking the spirit and style of jazz icon Jimmy Smith, Booker T & the MG's and other vaunted purveyors of earthy soul-jazz including Brian Auger ... On the very first number here, the title tune, the guitarist and his compatriots elevate their performance to a grand, near-majestic plateau. Then, on "Lockdown City," the Champs begin to morph into a pseudo-surf band, except that Gamble's organ lines wash away any kitsch that emanates from the guitar as Restivo twangs away with gleeful relish ... Some decidedly heavy organ erupts on "Freddie King For Now," prompting further rumination on the roots of the City Champs; as the mysterious mood of "Voyage to Vega (For Felix)" unfolds, those influences would appear to include, perhaps not surprisingly, those noted British eclectics Traffic".

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"The trio clearly borrows from the similar styled playing of fellow Memphis legends Booker T. & the MGs and Willie Mitchell, who set the tone for this music back in the '60s. But on Luna '68 they move on up by bringing a tougher edge to the table. That's particularly evident not just in Gamble's occasional use of synthesizers on the title cut, but in Restivo's edgy guitar lines that sound more like Frank Zappa at times than Steve Cropper. And when the two trade licks on "Freddie King for Now," the concoction is combustible. There's plenty of raw funk too, especially in the bubbling bottom of "Mack Lean" and drummer George Sluppick's in-the-pocket work on "Skinny Mic." Those familiar with the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio's vibe will jump all over this as the two bands seem musically and philosophically aligned".

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"The storied psychedelic soul power trio from Memphis (...) only manifests as a unit every decade or so. On Lunar '68, their first Champs release since The Set-Up (2010), they blast back to the future that launched them and take everyone along for the ride ... Lunar '68 kicks out the jams with instruments that know how to fly, and gives us the wings we need to join them".