Being heard by the masses is tough enough, but for most blues bands, being seen by the masses is even tougher. Those are the two obstacles that will easily prevent even the best of bands from ever breaking out of the regional mold and becoming successful. Lots of times, bands wanting to step up to that ever evasive "next level" need to relocate just to have a shot at doing so. Putting a tour together from America's Heartland is a lot easier - and with gas prices the way they are, much cheaper - than doing it from the Pacific Northwest or Upper New England. Add having to cross an ocean to that and it gets real tough. However, "Take My Hand", could very well be the product that takes the British blues band Kink King by the hand and walks them right down the road to recognition.

"Take My Hand", King King's debut disc, features eleven tracks with a very close split of band originals and covers, and another very close split of energetic, progressive, funky blues and good ol' traditional blues. The band - along with several guests - includes: Alan Nimmo on guitar and vocals, Lindsay Coulson on bass, Bennett Holland & Dale Storr on keyboards, Wayne Proctor & Craig Blundell on drums, Jacquie Williams and Bennett Holland on background vocals, Ewan Davies on percussion, Rick Woolgar on saxophone, Steve Walker on trumpet, Giles King on harmonica and extra brass by Wonder Brass.

The title track, "Take My Hand" is quite an energetic, funky number. The track features the largest ensemble of any of the other tracks, and from the funky guitar licks, to the fierce rhythm, to the blaring of all the brass, you'll certainly hear them all.

"Heart Without A Soul" is just one of a few tracks that feature what I believe are the four members that make up the nucleus of King King. On it, Alan, Lindsay, Dale and Craig are all on top of their game. Some of the disc's best rhythm, vocals and guitar work are all right here.

"All Your Life", one of the originals, has everyone involved locked into an awesomely tight groove. The funky beat is fueled by great percussion and rhythm out of Ewan, Craig, Lindsay and Bennett, and the harmony between Alan and Jacquie on the vocals is perfect.

On "Old Love" a song written by Clapton & Cray, one would expect to hear some amazing guitar work, right? Right! Three and a half minutes into this ten minute track is a span of nearly six minutes of some absolutely incredible guitar highlights. I'm talking mind blowing stuff. Additionally, on what little vocals there are, Bennett does a great job on backing them up. It's always cool when the disc's longest track is also one of it's best.

This version of the Howlin' Wolf classic, "Mr. Highway Man", is a smoker. Once again, everyone involved is kickin' ass. Lindsay, Craig and Dale are relentless on the rhythm, Alan's tearing it up on the guitar and vocals, and Giles - who unfortunately appears on this track only - is nasty on the harp. Very good track.

The disc closes with the type of song that always cause this Baby Boomer to have some very pleasant flashbacks. It's a cover of Toussaint McCall's 1967 masterpiece "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" - a beautiful, yet melancholic, soulful ballad. On this version, the rhythm and the keyboards are exquisitely soft and steady but it's always the vocals that steal these slow-burning ballads. And Alan's magnificence does just that. Having said all that, I just realized that because of so many repeat listens to this four and a half minute track, this paragraph took me well over a half hour to write......and I couldn't think of a better way to have spent that time.

Other Tracks on "Take My Hand" include: "Lose Control", "Don't You Get The Feeling (You've Been Had)", "Feels Like Rain", "I'll Fight My Way" and "Broken Heal".

Here's to hoping that King King can do for British Blues today, what John Mayall, Long John Baldry, Savoy Brown and others did during the British Blues Boom of nearly fifty years ago. You can help that along by checking them out and getting to know more about them at www.kingkingblues.com. Of course you'll tell them the Blewzzman sent ya.