"Eine der unglaublichsten Leistungen, die eine weiße Bluesband jemals zuwege brachte!"

(Good Times, April / Mai 2012)

The Blues Project was one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1960s. Rising from the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene, the New York quintet created a visionary fusion of electric blues, folk-rock, jazz and psychedelia, and delivered it with gritty, effortless expertise.

1966’s Projections is generally regarded as the Blues Project’s best—the studio album features the legendary lineup of keyboardist Al Kooper, guitarists Danny Kalb and Steve Katz, bassist Andy Kulberg and drummer Roy Blumenfeld.

At the time of its release, Projections quickly became a fixture on underground radio and featured seminal tracks such as “I Can’t Keep from Crying”, the ’60s garage anthem “Wake Me, Shake Me,” Kalb’s epic blues showcase “Two Trains Running,” and the space-jazz instrumental “Flute Thing” featuring Andy Kulberg.

Produced by Tom Wilson (Dylan, Zappa), the Blues Project's second effort was their finest hour. In less than a year the enthusiastic live band had matured into a seasoned studio ensemble. Steve Katz's features are lightweight folk but Al Kooper reworks two gospel themes ("Wake Me, Shake Me," "I Can't Keep from Crying") into ambitious blues-rock compositions, and Danny Kalb proves he's no mere folkie on extended versions of "Two Trains Running" and "Caress Me Baby." Bassist Andy Kulberg switches to flute and Kalb gets psychedelic on the jazzy "Flute Thing," penned by Kooper.

(Dan Forte, www.allmusic.com)