Review: Emanuel Casablanca ‘Strung Out On Thrills’

Review: Emanuel Casablanca ‘Strung Out On Thrills’

By Jim Hynes

Brooklyn-based blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Emanuel Casablanca has clearly listened to his fair share of Jimi Hendrix as well as traditional electric blues as evidenced by this searing, feedback-drenched effort, Strung Out on Thrills.

Among the sixteen musicians and singers listed in the credits are guitarists Joanna Connor and Elliott Sharp along with emerging acclaimed vocalist Kelli Baker. Casablanca is a multi-faceted artist who is a multi-instrumentalist, painter, and actor in addition to his singer-songwriter/ guitarist role here. Strung Out on Thrills follows his 2022 debut Blood on My Hands which featured such notable blues artists as Eric Gales, Albert Castiglia, Jimmy Carpenter, and Kat Riggins. His is urban blues, incorporating hip-hop elements. Produced by Casablanca and Paul Howells, this album is solely blues/blues-rock based and focuses on minor blues.

That raging slide guitar heard on the opening “Dogshit” (not my favorite title) is that of Joanna Connor who also lends wailing support to “Lass,” a burning shuffle, which showcases the powerhouse vocals of NYC-based Kelli Baker. Casablanca delivers his own passionate vocals throughout similar to Eddie Turner, both sharing a penchant for the harder edged blues rock style pioneered by Hendrix.

We hear the funky strains of Elliott Sharp’s guitar in the driving “Morning Wood” and Laurence Henderson delivers a biting guitar edge to “Visceral,” replete with soulful balladeering, hip-hop beats, and a sequence resembling B.B. King’s classic “How Blue Can You Get?” Drummers and bassists vary by track, some with colorful names such as Blaque Dynamite, and Supremo Massiv. Yes, these cats get down, in a sweaty, leave-it-all-on-the-floor workout.

The standout title track is a North Mississippi Hill Country styled stomper where Casablanca seeks a natural high over fuzzed out guitars and a clean guitar break. The credits erroneously state that Baker is singing on this one, however. Another standout, “Conniver,” bears the common blues theme of man double crossed by his partner, played to a steady beat with Casablanca increasingly enraged as the verses unfold. “The Farm” is a chugging boogie delivered by a power trio remaining surprisingly restrained throughout while “King” begins explosively and never relents. Sonics change remarkably, at least in the acoustic flamenco guitar opening for “Pistolero,” which features an elusive contributor dubbed Salvo on the jacket, likely attributed to drummer Blaque Dynamite in the more expansive credit listing. It’s an interesting track that attempts to merge flamenco sounds with more cutting, stratospheric electric guitar. Kudos for the try but the results are debatable.

The earthy “Bastard” is another power trio rendering and  exudes powerful and searing guitar lines throughout. “Pearl” is the most instrumentally fleshed out track, boasting multiple percussionists, a closing MC passage from one named Sir Malcolm Jamal, a driving bass line, and Casablanca on an instrument he calls KushKash, all of which support his stinging guitar solo. The CD version and presumably the digital doesn’t end here though as Casablanca and crew continue with the driving demo “My Life’s on Fire” and a cleaner, airplay ready version of the opener.

Bottom line, this is some of most hip blues heard recently. You’ll be tapping your feet and shaking other body parts to Casablanca’s music.

Pre-order Strung Out On Thrills HERE 

“The Farm”