Wow, Can I start by asking you all before you read any further to get on your feet and give this record a rousing standing ovation, c’mon get up, pour a glass of something strong and run your fingers across your stereo turning the volume right the fuck up!

Have some respect kids, Jim Jones Allstars are in the house and they’ve brought all the devil’s tunes and his head on a stick it would seem. ‘Aint No Peril’ is a bonafide masterclass in Rock and Roll and oozing class, style, decadence, and a whole shitload of rhythm.

Having been lucky enough to catch the band as they rampaged across the UK earlier this year, Jim Jones All Stars were on fire and my excitment began for what was to come as Jim explained they’d been in the States recording the album and finally that time is upon us.  ‘Ain’t No Peril’, is smart, cool, drenched in Rock n Roll whilst twisting the melon with enough originallity and class to kick up a stink and hopefully give this genre a much needed shot in the arm and lead the charge with tune after tune.

Put simply, ‘Ain’t No Peril’ confirms Jim Jones as the true keeper of red raw rock’n’roll faith and the high priest of groove and zero fucks given style. Hell knows what they had to offer bealzibub in exchange fo rthese tunes but man it was worth it. Dancing with ole nick must have been one hell of a jive off as the band is connected, in the zone whatever cliche you care to use ‘Devils Kiss’ has been left on me for sure. as the ivories get tinkled filling in the gaps left by those horn honkin’ saxophones and Gavin Jays wandering fingers. Taking the band to Memphis Magnetic Studios in the balmy heat of Tennessee with hindsight was inspired. The swampy delta groove is hot as and adds a gravitas to these tunes they just wouldn’t get recording in ole blighty.

Across its 12 tracks, ‘Ain’t No Peril’ is an album that ducks and dives between the shadows and that sweltering heat its sticky, and there is no way of avoiding it. There is a bitches brew cooked up in the Southern state, fusing roots rock’n’roll, rhythm and blues, gospel , and the all-out weight of Jim’s previous poured in with equal measures. It can only be Jim Jones but this time it’s amped up with an air of something extra special that X factor ingredient maybe his other projects were lacking.

Joining Jim is long-time co-conspirator Gavin Jay (bass) with Elliot Mortimer (piano and keys), as well as drummer Chris Ellul (The Heavy), veteran punk blues guitarist Carlton Mounsher (The Swamps), singer Ali Jones and the three tenor/baritone saxophonists Stuart Dace, Chuchi Malapersona and Tom Hodges. This motley crew has it locked in and knows how to groove as the lead single ‘Gimme The Grease’ can testify from the shuffle to the horn honking it’s infectious and highly contagious in its groove, earworm, and rockability.

If there is to be any criticism to be aimed at this album its the inclusion of three instrumentals. Now I’m warming to one maybe two but these songs are crying out for some of Jones dancing with the devil cries a yelp and certainly some of his speaking in tongue screams but its only a minor gripe because in isolation they are bangers or maybe I’m just being greedy.

The sax on ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ gives me the chills as they honk through the speakers. I’ve not heard somethign this god damn groovy for years and the duet is a joy to behold, I think my voodoo is definately working but thanks for asking.

‘Your Arms Will Be The Heavens’ ushers in some sweet keyboards as the gentle soulful number ushers in a little light relief as Jim croons with the sould of a man whos heart is bursting out of his chest as the sun goes down on another day oozing class and a sidestep you probably weren’t expecting.

‘I Want You’ gets its groove on as brothers and sisters are urged to get on their feet and clap their hands and move their feet as the band gets juiced up and rocks out. Again the sweet spots all over the song from the tinkling ivories to the horn stabs and that drill n shuffle on the snare its addictive and in full flight a most beautiful thang.

Now ‘Hot Sauce’ is a motherfucker of a song kickin its groove down the line hypnotising the listener with the decaying snare and that crackle on the guitar but hey Jim get on it brother. ‘Troglodyte’ gets in the swamp and takes this record to places Jones hasn’t been before. Its a mega groove thats primal and filthy and totally nailing the lyrics.

‘You Got The Best Stink (I Ever Stunk)’ is a song title that nails the vibe and sound perfectly. It must have sounded like magic being created in the studio when laying down these cuts. The title track situated just at the hump of this album before we freewheel towards the finale is probably the most Jim Jones Revue song on offer (fans of the band will know what I mean).

‘Drink Me’ is the eleventh track and penultimate and sounds like the perfect muzac for a swinging sixties movie staring some dandy is maybe one that could have been kept for a B Side. Ending the record with ‘Evil Eye’ is Jim Jones in full voice as he summons the devil and strains every sinew of his vocal chords to banish away the demons with a tremendous performance to bring the curtain down on this most wonderful album.

Brothers and sister its time to get excited fo ranother Jim Jones led excertion into the deepest darkest shadows of soulful music its not soul music but music for the soul. Every path Jim Jones has taken has led him to this moment and this record – ‘Ain’t No Peril’ because this is a bona fide winner – Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley