Forty Below Records artist: Philip Sayce - The Wolves Are Coming - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Wolves are Coming, from Philip Sayce, and it's a powerful blues rocker. Opening with Oh! That Bitches Brew, this release is explosive from the first note. With Philip Sayce on vocal, guitar and bass, and Michael Leasure on drums, this track is a powerhouse. Sayce and Leasure really drive a heavy rhythm and Sayce plays stinging lead guitar giving the track plenty bite. Excellent opener. Another hard driver is Babylon Is Burning with the addition of Fred Mandel on organ. Blues based guitar riffs permeate the mix but this is honest to God rock! Your Love has a real swagger with a a lead bottom by Aaron Sterling on drums and Bernice Barlow joins Sayce on vocal. Sayce really knows how to light up the place on electric guitar and he certainly does it. Very cool. Soulful, It's Over Now, is definitely the most likely radio track with it's sweet melody and fuller arrangement including backing vocals, Joel Gottschalk on bass, Mandel on piano and organ and Fritz Lewak on drums. Sayce really sings some of his best vocals on this track and breaking away for a bluesy guitar solo takes this track even higher riding on the organ shoulders of Mandel. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, The Moon is Full. Sayce sets a great guitar rhythm on guitar and bass teamed with Leasure on drums and with exceptional vocal and standout lead guitar work, really drives this track home. Excellent! Intuition is a soaring guitar instrumental. With Leasure on drums and Mandel on keys and organ, Sayce really lets it go. Killer! Wrapping the release is John Lee Hooker's, This Is Hip with Sayce on acoustic guitar and vocal and Mandel on piano. A cool shuffle with plenty of zip, this is an excellent closer for an album that won't disappoint. 

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Warner Music Canada Signs Canadian Blues-Rock Sensation Philip Sayce

“One of rock’s best-kept secrets.” London Daily Star, UK

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 – For immediate release

Warner Music Canada is thrilled to announce the signing of guitarist Philip Sayce.  Warner will be releasing Philip’s critically acclaimed album Influence on March 10, 2015. Originally released in Europe in late August 2014 to critical acclaim, the Canadian version of Influence will include two new songs led by the first single, Philip’s incendiary version of the Ten Years After classic “I’d Love To Change The World.”

“Clapton, Page, Hendrix…Philip Sayce.  The young guitarist reviving blues-rock.”

– London Metro, UK

On making the announcement, Warner Music Canada President Steve Kane stated, “Philip is a unique and exciting talent.  He reminds us that playing the blues isn’t something that happens in museums, he brings a vitality and originality to the songs on Influence. We all look forward to bringing Philip and his music to a much wider audience.”

“I am beyond ecstatic to collaborate with Warner Music Canada and to focus my creative energies in my home country,” said Philip Sayce of the signing.  “The Warner Music Canada team truly embodies what it means to celebrate the love of music, and their approach to working with artists is refreshing, healing, and inspiring.”

Born in Wales and raised in Toronto, Canada, Philip Sayce’s love of the guitar started at an early age when his parents introduced him to all of the classics, notably, Clapton, Hendrix, and Beck.  He started playing guitar as a teen and before long was winning admirers at blues jam nights at Grossman’s Tavern in downtown Toronto.  One such admirer was legendary guitarist Jeff Healey who invited Philip to join his band with whom he toured the world for the next couple of years.  After a move to Los Angeles, producer John Shanks introduced Philip to Melissa Etheridge who recruited him for her band. Over the next several years Philip performed on Melissa Etheridge’s albums and was featured during her live sets on world tours.

“Influence is powerful enough to turn him in to Canada’s next homegrown guitar hero.”

– Toronto Sun

“Influence is a culmination of sounds, colors, emotions, and artists who have directly helped to shape my approach and love of music,” said Philip.  “The intention of my own music is to continue the message, power, love, and inspiration that I experience in every artist that has influenced me.”

In 2009 Philip released Peace Machine the first of three solo albums that established him as one of the leading lights in a new generation of blues-rock guitarists.  With each subsequent release (Ruby Electricand Steamroller) his reputation continued to grow, and, in January 2015 Philip signed with Warner Music Canada who will release his fourth album, Influence, produced by Dave Cobb and featuring songs by artists that have inspired Philip over the years as well as original compositions.  Two new recordings produced by Michael Nielsen at Revolution Studios in Toronto are included on the Canadian version of Influence.

“…a career-best record. Influence is worth the wait.” 

– Classic Rock Magazine, UK

News of upcoming tour dates to be announced shortly.

Ruby Electric - Philip Sayce New Release Review

I just got done listening to the soon to be released (July 11, 2011) "Ruby Electric" cd by Philip Sayce. Although not really a traditional blues album by any means I found it very entertaining. The recordings should have broad appeal. There is a broad spectrum of congruous music from my favorite, Alchemy to Philip's take on Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl and the Beatles "I Want You".

The album coincides with a short UK tour that will take in dates at:

London Borderline (July 25)
Bristol Tunnels (July 27)
Holmfirth Picturedrome (July 28)
Manchester Band on the Wall (July 29).