A couple of months ago I received what I thought was the latest and greatest from this brilliant young British blues-rocker. I was wrong. It was in fact a re-release from 2008 and this record is his new release (out 26 October 2009). That last album revealed a 22 year-old with the blues running through his young veins, and able to take on the best that the USA can offer. COMING UP FOR AIR confirms my earlier thoughts while exposing an artist who can write and perform songs of more diverse pace and mood.

What you will hear on this album is one fo the finest blues-rock voices and guitarists around, and with a band finely tuned in to his extraordinary talent. This is one great album…

The album opens with the moody, dark and mid-paced rocker ‘Coming Up For Air’ which is full of monstrous hooks, superb guitar licks and a voice of stunning, expressive quality. Sorry, can’t help repeating myself… this fella is good and and an excellent song writer to boot! ‘Riverbed’ opens with a winding guitar riff and meets the band’s wonderfully cohesive playing. The vocal and guitar plead in unison while the drums and bass ensure that the song is based on water-tight rhythmic foundations. There’s more soaring guitar riffs to spice up the already powerful choruses, and a monster of a melody. ‘Mistakes’ is a slow, reflective beauty and an example of how musically diverse this young lad can be. It’s packed full of melody, wonderful lyrics and vocal/instrumental performance that perfectly matches the song’s moving messages.

Then comes one of the album’s major highlights: Knowles’ superb blues-rock cover of George Harrison’s ‘Hear Me Lord.’ Now George liked his blues and I think would approve of this version, in fact it’s by far the best cover I’ve heard of this classic and groundbreaking song. I’m hearing deep respect, I’m hearing screaming guitar licks bellowing out George’s deep and meaningful message in a way I’ve never heard before. Vocally, it’s perfectly judged and sincere, devoted even. This song could be released a single and burn up the airwaves like no other song in 2009. It leaves one breathless, yes, it’s that good!

It’s followed by gently plucked guitar and strong folk vibe in ‘Amber’s Song.’ This is a moving stunner with drama enhanced with wandering banjo notes and a contemplative vocal. ‘Tear Down The Walls’ goes upbeat and dirty before taking a trad-blues and narrative path with ‘You Can’t Take This Back.’Country Girl’ is a bitter-sweet love song that climbs and dives like a rollercoaster with powerful bass-driven choruses, and delicious finger-picking moments. ‘Saving Myself’ is takes a roots path spiced with blue grass while final track ‘Taste Of Danger’ adds a wonderful Jonatha Brooke vocal to a song which takes a country-pop route - another potential single and one that could fly over in the States.

This is a far more diverse album than his last, and is therefore a wonderful showcase for this very fine and bright young prospect. Of all the albums I’ve heard this year I believe this is the one most likely to break through in the States. If you’re a blues-rock fan you can’t ignore it, and the best UK blues exponent to surface in many years.

4/5