Better For You - Chris Antonik - New Release Review

I just received the new release (released formally on March 26, 2013), Better For You, by Chris Antonik and it's quite interesting. The release opens with Long Way To Go, a funky rock track with some really cool guitar by Antonick and harp work by Steve Marriner. Turn To Shine has the warm feeling of a Delaney and Bonnie track and it really feels like you're taking a bite of the old ATCO/Muscle Shoals/Capricorn stuff. Josh Williams' vocals are great and his guitar playing has the over driven sound of Duane and the rhythmic pacing of Dickey. Very cool! Come From A Good Place is a softer edged song with a lot of airplay potential. Like the song before, sweet horns back the track and in this case, lead vocals are handled by Shakura S'Aida who is obviously solid and Antonik grinds in some really hot guitar riffs. Broken Man features Mike Mattison singing a soulful ballad over a quiet background and light jazz rhythm. Up next is Walter Horton's Have A Good Time, a simple understated blues track and Josh Williams steps up on harmonica and vocal to compliment Antonik on guitar. Shake Me Down is a very cool track with a strong back beat and featuring Williams on organ. This is a warm backing for Antonik to not only sing but to lay out some funky wah wah guitar riffs. This track has a bit of jazz under the wool and that adds to the general texture of the track giving Antonik a bit of room to flex his fingers. Better For You is a bluesy ballad with an easy soul feel. I really like this track. It lays nicely in the groove and Antonik plays smoothly through the track drawing out some real nice blues riffs. Nothing I Can Do is another track with a bit of funk in the stew featuring Williams on keys and vocals and a bit of horns. Antonik takes a nice extended guitar solo on this track. Tell Me What You Need is a easy going radio style ballad. A lonely electric guitar playing in the field of openness behind Antonik's voice, not unlike an effect created by Dire Straits (different riffs of course) is really nice. Julian Fauth joins Antonik on piano for I'll Help You Through, a blues ballad (along the lines of New York State Of Mind). This is a nice smooth ballad with an equally smooth guitar solo to compliment Antonik's vocals on this track.   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!
This is not from the new release but I was unable to find something that is. This is a good example of Chris' work.