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Eddie Cotton Eddie Cotton (aka Eddie Cotton, Jr.) was born in Jackson, Mississippi. By his teens Cotton had become a skilled guitarist. After high school, Cotton studied music theory at Jackson State University, where he also began playing jazz. During this time, he befriended local blues icon King Edward, who invited Cotton to join his band on their weekly show at Jackson's Subway Lounge. After two years with Edward, Cotton formed his own band, the Mississippi Cotton Club, and released the independently produced album, "You're the Girl" in 1998. His next two releases garnered a lot of press "Live at the Alamo Theater" and and "Extra". Just when it seemed some record label would sign him based on the hype let alone his considerable talent. Instead he self released "Live Back At The Alamo Theatre" and continued to pay his dues on the road. He formed his label, DeChamp Records, and in 2014 released "Here I Come", quickly followed by "One At A Time" in 2015. Album Discography
1 Born Under A Bad
Sign
1. Feelin' Kinda Good
1. I Need Your Love
1 Intro 0:31
1 Here I Come ***1/2 Cotton is a curious case. I still recall all the hype and acclaim he received for his 2000-2002 albums, "Live At The Alamo Theatre" and "Extra". It seemed like he was on the verge of breaking out/crossing over Robert Cray-style but despite countless live performances honing his craft it took another twelve years for a new LP to appear and he had to release it (maybe by choice) on his own DeChamp imprint. There was also "Live Back At The Alamo Theater" in 2012. "Here I Come" features his Al green-inspired vocals and economical guitar licks. The title cut is a laidback, coasting Soul Blues like (you guessed it) Al Green is so good at. The even more mellow "A Woman's Love" has a pinch of Jazz, the Funky "Gey Your Own" sports a "Soul Man"-like rhythm while "Pay To Play" is a jookin' shuffle. For us ClassicSoul lovers we have the loping "No Love Back".
1 One At A Time 4:42 ***1/2 Cotton wastes no time succeeding last year's "Here I Come" with his second full length in as many years. He recently won the 2015 International Blues Challenge. Cotton's style brings to mind Little Milton, a little Bobby Rush Funk/Blues as if sung by David Brinston (or more accurately Al Green). The Soul-slanted numbers include "Ego At Your Door", "Dead End Street" and "Filling me With Pleasure" |