Questions sometime arise whether collaboration breeds enhancement or dilution. This is especially pertinent when artists of the calibre of Martin Harley, Daniel Kimbro and Sam Lewis have been able to carve out critically acclaimed careers within their chosen styles. The key to success when entering an arrangement as such now released in this trio album is chemistry; not just in the output but in every strain of the process. Evaluation of this comes across in the affirmative as the path is laid out in getting the record out. Now it's all down to the reception HARLEY KIMBRO LEWIS gets from the ears of the intended.
The album rolls out as a 39-minute compendium of gently constructed songs breathing the air of an Americana breeze drifting in a blissful waft of fine acoustic combined playing, casually relaxed shared vocals and variedly curated tunes caressing your soul. Let the tracks permeate a secluded listening space and attaining the succulent vibes conjured up by the trio becomes a purposeful pastime.
Each player brings a combination of talents to the party. Obviously there is an egalitarian streak to the output, defined most strikingly in the trio sharing out the lead vocals in equal portion. Thus creating a diverse sound that keeps things fresh. A more hidden trait is the songwriting springing from a multitude of compact sources, namely solo, duo and trio co-writes. The playing also gets banded around the trio though rarely deviating from an prime acoustic template that supplements the songs and creates a time static effect.
Worthy songs to help propel the album forward include the three pre-released numbers. The jaunty ear worm 'Neighbours' straight from solo pen and rhythmic vocals of Lewis led the way at the back end of 2021 and represents the album at its wide reaching pinnacle. Harley's 'Cowboy in Hawaii' takes the album in a slightly more twangy direction with fine effect and a stab straight out of the 50s. To conclude the singles, Kimbro assumes the writing and vocals to close out the album with the flighty and jovial 'Man Get A Hold of Yourself'
From the new ones surfacing in an album born out of a traditionally simplistic recording session in East Nashville, 'Good Guy' catches the ear in the first half, while 'Who's Hungry' simmers to the surface in the second with hints of a deep 60s southern cut alongside the Prine-like tone to 'I Gotta Chair'.
Ultimately it's tough to split hairs between the dozen strong set. All either sparkle with the blues infused intrinsic picking of Brit Martin Harley, the Appalachian influences from Daniel Kimbro or the soulful strands to the sound of Nashville based Sam Lewis. Mainly the success of HARLEY KIMBRO LEWIS is down to a subtle mix of chemistry to seek and capture a cocktail of finely spun American roots music. An album to wallow away the days and feel a sense of achievement.