There's an old hipster adage that fits James Hinkle's latest musical vision to a tee; you've got to live it up.  James was fortunate enough to be living and digging Fort Worth, Texas starting back in the late seventies when R&B nightspots like The Bluebird and Tack's Fun House were having their run.

James was also intuitive enough to come up under the tutelage of Ft Worth blues and bop and veterans like Freddie Cisneros, Sumter Bruton, Doyle Bramhall, Robert Ealey, and U.P. Wilson.  Soon enough it was James' time to shine and that he did during nationwide tours with Marcia Ball and having his own venture with The Hoo Doo Cats and Housewives Choice.

Later on he went out in tandem with his Kicks Podnuh and friend Johnny Mack.  For his efforts, nuggets included bumping into Bluesmen like Billy Gayles, Ike Turner, and John Lee Hooker.  James soaked it all in. 

A few years ago I kick started everything by deciding the time was ripe for James to record some obscure R&B tunes by Johnny O'Neal, Don & Dewey and Ike Turner.  His straight ahead reply was get me Mike Buck and that we did, recording at Ft. Horton Studios in Austin.  After a while, James grabbed the bull by the horns and recorded some more blues and jazz cuts with Ft Worth's finest and funkiest backing him up.

Straight ahead blues?  I'll let you decide.

-Wes Race

Selections

1.  Hammer Jammer
2.  Ugly Woman Blues
3.  The Rooster
4.  Alexaandria, Virginia
5.  Glide On
6.  Don't Start Cryin' Now
7.  I Ain't Got You
8.  Let the Backdoor Hit Ya
9.  The Sad Nite Owl
10. She Like to Boogie Real Low
11. Swooshy
12. Watch Yourself
13. When Did You Leave Heaven?
14. Cool Blues