I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hungry for Love, by Carlo Ditta and it’s cool. Opening with title track, Hungry For Love, with it’s a loose, Lou Reed meets Jr Kimbrough style, this work has a haunting quality. Ditta’s vocals are aloof yet emotional and his backers (self on guitar, Anthony Donado on drums, David Hyde on bass, Rick Stelma on keys and Jerry Jumonville on sax) create an essential sound. I think that La Muchacha Chacha is my favorite track with Eric Burdon like vocals, a Latin beat and solid sax work by Jumonville and Andrew Bernard. Pass The Hatchet is an interesting addition with James Brown underpinnings but without all the polish and sophistication. Ditta manages the performance and Johnny Peninno’s fat sax work really gives it a welcome lofi feel. Very cool. Traditional track, Just Came To Get My Baby allows Ditta to slide into a fairly comfortable groove with straight up lead vocals and nice backing vocals by Trea Swindell. Closing the release is uptempo version of House Of The Rising Sun. Ditta’s vocals are particularly vibrant and Peninno’s sax work smooth and reinforcing over Stelma’s keys. This is an interesting release and not at all typical of what I hear. Cool.