The Soul of John Black

The Soul of John Black: www.myspace.com/thesoulofjohnblack
The Soul Of John Black, fronted by John “JB” Bigham and co-produced by Chris Thomas, boasts unique guitar technique on acoustic, electric and slide as well as his gritty, openhearted vocal style. Its soul, hip-hop, funk and Afrobeat influences established Bigham as an adventurous artist. His sophomore release, The Good Girl Blues, switches gears and refocuses on the roots of African American music – the blues.

The Soul Of John Black’s moniker was inspired by the 1976 cult film J.D.’s Revenge starring Glen Turnman.

JB’s written songs for Miles Davis and played percussion in the Davis group. His track “Jilli” is featured on Amandla, the trumpeter’s last studio album. He also appears on the recently released Davis DVD, Live In Paris, recorded at the 10th Paris Jazz Festival. Bigham played guitar and keyboard for the pioneering rock-funk-ska band Fishbone for eight years, contributing songs, guitars, keyboards, background vocals and production expertise to the albums The Reality Of My Surroundings, Give A Monkey A Brain and Chim Chim’s Bad Ass Revenge. Later on, he toured as a side man and played on sessions with artists as varied as Eminem, Dr. Dré, Rosey, Joi, Nikka Costa, Bruce Hornsby and Everlast.

Bigham’s latest solo project The Good Girl Blues – guitar, voice and naked human emotion delivered in sparse performances that grabs your attention with its raw and spontaneous power. The album kicks off with “The Hole,” a wailing, field hollar influenced tune that tips its hat to Lead Belly and the music’s foundation in African American folklore. Bigham’s anguished vocal and crackling guitar work is set against a Latin rhythm that suggests both Bo Diddley and the sugar plantations of the Caribbean. Backing singers Laura Jane Jones, Kandace Linsey and Jonell Kennedy add sanctified harmonies that give the tune a spiritual boost. “I Got Work” brings to mind the sweet, uptown soul of Memphis with its slick, old school, mack daddy vibe. Bigham’s sly, intimate vocal and his slinky slide guitar work give the track a playful, sexy atmosphere. The working girls on Sunset Boulevard inspired “One Hit,” a song marked by a bright, bouncy, sing-along chorus and some propulsive bass guitar by Chris Thomas.

The album also includes “The Moon Blues,” a slow, smoky tune that brings to mind the buttery crooning of Al Green; the tour de force of “Moanin',” which delivers plenty of emotion with Bigham’s wordless vocals and tortured acoustic playing and “Slipin’ and Slidin’,” an instrumental with a swampy, mysterious backbeat that’s highlighted by DJ Phizz Ed on turntables and Bigham’s low key fretboard virtuosity. “

Edited from http://www.thesoulofjohnblack.com/bio