Phat, greasy sound. All of the influences of the south crowd themselves comfortably into the music of Atlanta, Georgia's King Johnson, on their debut recording on Landslide Records, Hot Fish Laundry Mat.

On track one, the listener is transported to a Jazz Fest state of mind on "Personal Thing." The pumping horn section consisting of Marcus James on saxophone with Adam Mewherter playing trombone jumpstarts "Personal Thing."

The older brother of MMW's Chris Wood, Oliver Wood, plays a funky feedback on his guitar to lead the tempo forward. Wood's sassy blues stretches announces the opening chords to "Spirit," a number deeply entrenched in the sweat and gumbo reminiscent of the music of Dr. John and Taj Mahal's "Cakewalk into Town." The fiery rhythm section of Chris Long on bass and Chris Uhler's expert percussion combining with Greg Baba's loose drum style fuels the light speed workout of "Atlas," which dances all over in the tradition of the Meters and Subdudes. Wood, Long, and Baba slam down a virtual wall of sound in the forefront of "Fine Line," allowing James and Mewherter to paint the corners while Long brings gravelly vocals to the proceedings. "Mile after Mile" is a slow rhythm and blues workout with clanging guitar from Wood, cowbell from Uhler, and James' lead soloing on saxophone. It turns into a classic jazz number, replete with Mewherter's expert runs on trombone.

Envision the Hot Fives led by Colonel Bruce, and you have a closer idea of the direction of Hot Fish Laundry Mat. "Time Stands Still," is a front porch blues workout that kicks back and struts the rhythm playing of Wood and James' clarinet touches placed high atop the melody. The best number on Hot Fish Laundry Mat is "Flow," a monstrous number that devastates upon first listen. Wood's scratchy guitar sets the tone in an isolated atmosphere. Then, like a group of uninvited friends crashing a party, the powerfully thick rhythm backdrop of Long's throbbing bass and Baba's straightforward timekeeping are illuminated by the repeated phrases of James and Mewherter's horn playing. Soon, speakers are rattling, the party is in full swing, and King Johnson is in control. Quickly, they decide to go south of the border for a trip to a Latin dance floor, highlighted by Mewherter's flowing trombone soloing. Naturally easing back into the opening theme of "Flow," King Johnson demonstrates their uncanny ability to craft high quality instrumental passages from simple jazz riffs. Those interested in juicy jazz and low down blues will find something to appreciate in the creative cornucopia of King Johnson's many flavors. Hot Fish Laundry Mat is but another example of the great legacy of Georgian music.

—B.W.