MoMojo Records
Max Hightower lays it all on the line with his newest release, Nothin’ But The Truth, a no-frills, deep-grooving blues record that bleeds soul and authenticity. Tracked at Big Tone Studio in New Orleans, these twelve original powerhouse tunes, drip with the city’s unmistakable funk and raw Southern blues grit.
Each cut on the album highlights Hightower’s mastery, whether he’s blowing mean harp, slinging guitar licks, or belting out lyrics steeped in hard-earned wisdom. From the high-octane opening track Double Bubble to the swampy sway of Sweet Gum Tree, and the last tune a cheeky instrumental called Assmograph; Hightower keeps it tight and true.
He’s backed by a rock-solid rhythm section, with bassist Steadman “Fleetwood” Williams Sr. and drummer Brandon Phelps locking in the groove, while a rotating crew of New Orleans horn and piano players throw in that extra spice. Hightower’s love affair with the blues started young, sparked by a worn-out cassette tape in his South Carolina home. Since then, he’s honed his chops as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, sharing the stage with greats like Hubert Sumlin and Willie Smith.
As a founding member of Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues, he’s spent years steeped in the tradition, and now, his solo effort cements his place as a modern bluesman with old-school soul. This release is not just a collection of songs, it’s a blues-drenched ride straight through the heart of the genre. For purists and newcomers alike, Hightower delivers the real deal here with some fine musicality.
COLIN CAMPBELL
