Gray/Smith - Heels in the Aisle LP

For want of a better genre title, the recentish duo (joined here on their 2nd LP with some other players) of Gray/Smith play predominately instrumental tracks that could be called “cosmic country.” With a pedigree that includes stints in groups such as No Neck Blues Band and Pigeons, Heels In The Aisle comprises of pretty melodies played in Deadhead fretboard wandering-style with loose across the kit drumming (Jim White-esque one might say). To borrow a term from the press release, this is a breezy listen, but one with enough freedom and space to the playing to keep it from being middle of the road. Think the recent work of Barry Walker Jr., the soundtracks of Bruce Langhorne, or if Souled American did an album where they played their guitars like the first four LPs via the compositional openness of their last two LPs! –Mitch