With "Reclamation" being the Vincent Hayes Project's debut CD, and with the Blues Music Awards nominations being announced in just a few hours, I'm thinking that what I'm listening to may very well get a "Best New Artist Debut" nod. I'll know for sure before this goes to press, but here's hoping my thoughts bring the guys some luck.

Those guys are Vincent Hayes on guitars and vocals, David "The Butcher" Alves on bass, and Donnie Hugley on percussion, the nucleus of the Vincent Hayes Project. Additional musicians include Christian VanAnterepen on Fender Rhodes, Hammond C3, Clavinet and Wurlitzer, and Steve "Doc" Yankee on piano. That's a serious keyboard section.

Although there are several traditionals, most of the eleven original tracks on "Reclamation" are more of a contemporary nature. Regardless of the style, the musicianship is fabulous on them all.

"Insecurities" can get the best of two people.....just ask Vince, he'll tell ya. And when he does, it's gonna sound real funky with great bass leads, hot percussion, and zealous organ.

"I've Got A Right To Change My Mind" is one of the several traditional blues tracks and it's also one of the two ten minute tracks. It's good, old school, slow blues with that soft, soothing rhythm, that mellow tickling of the ivories and those whispering, blues filled guitar leads.

This next track's title is something I've been saying since discovering the blues nearly 40 years ago, and that's "Thank You" (For Giving Me The Blues). The only difference is Vincent's singing it to the woman who gave him the blues. This one reeks of rhythm with Donnie and Christian leading the way on the drums and organ.

By far, one of the disc's best tracks is "Some Kind Of Fool". It starts out as a soft ballad with slow, soulful vocals and equally slow but scorching guitar leads. Then about halfway through this ten minute track Vincent unleashes a relentless attack on his guitar, leading into a fabulous four minute guitar crescendo that had me holding my breath. Absolutely amazing work.

If you're sitting still through this one - "Sticky Thigh Jive" - just turn it off and go watch television, you obviously are not into music With the rhythm guys on top of their game behind them, Vincent and Christian's fingers are doing some fancy dancin' on those strings and keys. Great guitar and organ leads.

"You Can Take Your Troubles" is a fast and furious, three piece all out jam. Dave and Donnie are - as they've pretty much been on the whole disc - tough and tight on the rhythm, and Vince is just tearing it up on slide guitar. This one's for the rock/blues lovers.

Other tracks - which total over 75 minutes - on "Reclamation" include: "Hit Me High, Hit Me Low", "Middle Man", "I Just Want to Get You High Tonight", "Double Talk", and "Halfway Out the Door".

Earlier in the day, when I started this review, I made an assuming statement that I can now call a fact. The Blues Music Awards nominations have since been released, and "Reclamation", by the Vincent Hayes Project has indeed garnered a nomination in the "Best New Artist Debut" category.

Based on that alone, you need to be checking this band out. You can do that by going to www.vincenthayes.com. While you're there, you should pick up a copy of his possible BMA winning disc and wish Vince and the guys good luck.......from you and from the Blewzzman.