REVIEW: Terry Blade – ‘Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues’

Chicago’s Terry Blade has long been on a mission to breathe new life into the blues, and with ‘Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues’, he takes a deep dive into the genre’s raw, unfiltered roots. This latest release is a tribute to the pioneers who shaped the sound, seamlessly blending vintage blues compositions with archival interviews from some of the scene’s most revered figures.

At its core, ‘Chicago Kinfolk’ is a passionate rekindling to the era that brought blues to the masses. Across ten tracks, Blade strips things back to their essence, crafting an experience that feels intimate and immediate. His approach is refreshingly organic, capturing the spirit of those legendary juke joint performances where the music was as much about storytelling as it was about sound. The album’s stripped-down production heightens its authenticity, making listeners feel as though they’ve stumbled into a smoky backroom where history is still alive and breathing.

While Blade has been making waves with his contemporary take on the genre, ‘Chicago Kinfolk’ proves that his artistry is deeply rooted in tradition. He pays homage to the greats while adding his own modern sensibility, making the album both a reflection on the past and a statement of his own musical identity. With this release, Terry Blade both honours the legends and ensures their legacy continues to thrive in the present day.