Review: Jad Tariq – Jad Tariq Sings
Jad Tariq – Jad Tariq Sings
Format: CD – Digital / Label: MoMOjo Records
Release: 2025
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
A nice surprise, this cd. Only eight tracks (five originals) on this cd, but that is enough for 28-year-old Jad Tariq to show what he is capable of. Old school jump ‘n jive, swing, soul and rhythm ‘n blues. Well sung, played and recorded by Jad and his Memphis band with Earl Lowe on the drums and Carl Caspersen on the upright. Other musicians include co-producer Benton Parker (backing vocals), Wyly Bigger (organ, piano, background vocals), John Hay (background vocals), Art Edmaiston (saxophones), Gerald Stephens (organ, piano), and Lester Gilam (drums, piano).
Jad’s inspiration comes from the music of old rhythm & blues, jump blues and jazz artists like Big Joe Turner, Louis Prima, Oscar Moore, Floyd Smith, and Billy Butler. Jad is part of a retro roots music renaissance around Memphis (check out the work of Martìn Burguez from Spain for a European leg of this revival). First inspired by SRV and Albert King, Jad’s style developed through exploring back to other six-string heroes like B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian and Lonnie Johnson.
Being a business student, Jad started playing local gigs around Memphis and at some point he caught the attention of John Németh who took him under his wings for some time. Gradually, interest in him rose to a point where he was playing several gigs per week.
His first album as a main artist ‘Jad Tariq Sings’ was recorded in between life on the road in studio Lola’s Place Recording that he created with his housemates (is that the Lola that features on the mug Jad pours his whiskey in, in the video of Flapjack, the album single?).
What about this short, but powerful album? In his own words: “It’s all the stuff I love and listen to. I’m just trying to put my own spin on it.”
I think we will be hearing more of Jad in the future.
Tracks:
01. Flapjack
02. You Think You’re Too Good for Me
03. Had You Told It Like It Was
04. Fortune’s Fool
05. Shame, Shame, Shame
06. Bloodshot Eyes
07. No Sleepin’est Woman
08. So Much Water