RUFUS HUFF `KENTUCKY` FOR FINGER PICKIN GOOD

Crossover is a term which has often been used to describe the more commercial exploits of blues bands that head in a more rock orientated direction, unfortunately in many instances to the detriment of their artistry. 

Of course it just isn`t blues bands who cross over into rock territory to make some extra coin, punk acts have turned pop for the same deal, country musos have been making it a big habit since Shania Twain came along to turn pop, and so forth. 

Not every single solo musician and band is a genre buster for the right reasons, but the ones who stay true to their original musical influences are usually the ones which have the longest careers, even if not the richest.

One US band which has come to my attention lately is a genre hopping blues boogie band by the name of Rufus Huff. 

Rufus and Huff being the surnames of two obscure bluesmen from the states, Rufus Huff lead guitarist Greg Martin being an avid admirer of both, so that explains the band's name. 

Greg Martin is virtually unknown outside the mid-east patch of the US, he hails from Kentucky, and he`s garnered an enviable reputation as a kick arse and ballsy guitarist in a band by the name of The Kentucky Headhunters. 

Greg Martin is the only constant in both bands, but musically they are both ingrained with the incendiary wizardry of his southern rock powered Les Paul guitar. 

If you ask me, Greg Martin has turned it up even one more notch with his new band Rufus Huff, I am not even sure who plays what in the band besides Greg Martin, but the names of his bandmates are Jarrod

England, Dean Smith and Chris Hardesty.

Free and Bad Company are the bands which Greg Martin has always said are his two biggest musical influences and you can definitely hear a lot of Paul Kossoff in Greg

Martin`s blues fired jams. 

Personally, if i was going to say what Rufus Huff sounded like, I`d say like no one else, thats what. If you mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd,

Free, Bad Company together, along with a bit of ZZ Top and the Steve Morse Band, you would probably come up with a fusion band that sounds somewhat like Rufus Huff. 

When Greg Martin is going for it and

shredding away, I cant help but hear Lynyrd Skynyrd`s classic long lost Muscle Schoals album and a bit of Roy Buchanan chucked in. 

On the flipside he can sound as cool and controlled as Peter Green in a reflective mood when he sticks to more of a pure blues formula. 

Rufus Huff remains a cult act which probably wont get the recognition it deserves. Greg Martin is the one member of the band who has the musical dynamics and pedigree to take Rufus Huff to the next artistic level and beyond the confines of

Kentucky and a minority appeal audience. 

The guy knows how to rock and boogie his butt off, hopefully he and Rufus Huff will stick to their guns artistically if the crossover pay cheque ever becomes too much of a temptation to resist. Click on the link below and jam with Rufus Huff as they play `13 Daze`.

YouTube - Rufus Huff "13 Daze"