1 	Upset The Status Quo 	
2 	Identity Theft (PSA) 	
3 	Mississippi 	
4 	Think 	
5 	Can't Stay Here Long 	
6 	Fight For Your Love 	
7 	Restraining Order 	
8 	Rock Me In Your Arms 	
9 	SSI Blues 	
10 	Somewhere Down The Line 	
11 	God Is With You (Benediction)

Alabama Mike - Lead Vocals
Kid Andersen - Guitar, Hammond B3, Mastering, Mixing, Producer
Bernard Anderson - Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
Loralee Christensen - Vocals (Background)
Jerry Jemmott - Bass
Aki Kumar - Harmonica
Jon Lawton - Slide Guitar
Lisa Leuschner - Vocals (Background)
Derrick D'mar Martin - Drums
Sid Morris - Piano
Jim Pugh - Hammond B3
Kedar Roy - Bass
Ronnie Smith - Drums
Bob Welsh - Guitar, Piano 

There is a famous song about blessing the child that's got his own. It was written at a time when making it independently was quite an achievement, though it can still be applied to musicians today. Alabama Mike (Michael Benjamin) was a truck driver that by luck and fate, in 1999, became a soul singer who's got the blues. He started his own label Jukehouse Records, in 2009, which has released three acclaimed records. His latest offering, Upset The Status Quo is the culmination of a life that started, as many do, in the church choir, back home in Talladega, Alabama, though he now calls the Bay Area home.

Alabama Mike wisely went to Kid Anderson's Greaseland Records in San Jose, for the recording and production of the record, as this studio has garnered a reputation as the place to go on the West Coast for the authentic soul and blues sound. Mike is a throwback to the singers that made this music famous, possessing an emotional tenor voice that can pack a punch or mend a broken heart. His original lyrics deal with life in the modern world, as this is blues for a new time. The title track is reminiscent of the great records by Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, with harmonica man Aki Kumar playing the accurate phrases. "Identity Theft," casts him in an upbeat soul mood, where he is right at home. Veteran tenor man Bernard Anderson, legendary bassist Jerry Jemmott, stellar organist Jim Pugh, and female backing vocals add the legitimate touches of a retro R&B revue on this song, as well as others.

The band takes the fast lane down south to "Mississippi," praising the wild life, and revisits his Alabama roots in "Can't Stay Here Long," a marvelous ballad about going back, but not for long. A good lyricist can find humor in the strangest situations, as Mike does on "Restraining Order," a self-explained problem from a man's point of view. "SSI," (Supplemental Security Income) is a social commentary on how having a little extra money can make a big difference. These numbers, though lighthearted, come with tight musical backing, with no room to spare. The late great Little Johnny Taylor is covered with "Somewhere Down the Line," where Mike delivers one of those classic tunes that separates the men from the boys.

There has been an almost mythical aura surrounding soul singers, and their church choir connections. It has been deemed a rite of passage for most of the great vocalists and Alabama Mike is certainly no exception, the hymns of his childhood resonating inside him. "God Is With You (Benediction) was chosen as the closing track for obvious reasons. He sings this like his life depends on it, like a man blessed to have his own. ---James Nadal, allaboutjazz.com

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01. Day to Day
02. Death Letter Blues
03. Religion
04. Naggin
05. Lay My Money Down
06. Strange Angels		play
07. Too Many Cooks
08. Knockin on Your Door
09. Somethin on My Mind
10. I've Been Rocked
11. Sara Brown		play

For his initial release, “Alabama Mike” Benjamin put together a setlist that includes seven of his original tunes plus covers of songs from Elmore James, Willie Dixon and Son House. Benjamin possesses a big , powerful voice that commands your attention. The James influence is evident throughout the disc in superb guitar work from Steve Freund, Jon Lawton (Little Jonny & the Giants) and Charles Wheal (Mark Hummel).

Opening with the title track, Benjamin describes the trials and tribulations facing many Americans in the current economic environment. Lawton contributes some wicked slide guitar licks over the solid rhythmic foundation from Kedar Roy on bass and Scott Silveira on drums. Lawton unleashes a darker attack on the Son House classic, “Death Letter Blues”. Alabama Mike shouts out a spirited vocal that matches Lawton’s intensity. “Naggin” is a funky piece driven by wah-wah effects on Scott Brenton’s guitar. Another Benjamin original, “Lay My Money Down”, rocks with a fierce boogie beat sparked by Chris Burns on piano and more stellar slide guitar from Lawton. “Too Many Cooks” sports a rumba beat and a fiery guitar part from Steve Freund.

Another highlight is the extended workout on “Religion”, a slow blues masterpiece that finds Alabama Mike taking his woman to task for going to church on Sunday and raising hell the rest of the week. His voice soars into the upper register as he pleads for her to be faithful. Wheal plays some nice BB King-style guitar. On “I’ve Been Rocked”, Wheal’s guitar burns over the shuffle beat on another fine tune from Alabama Mike that features excellent harp from John Nemeth. The band slows the pace again on “Somethin On My Mind”. There is plenty of the rich tone of RJ Mischo’s harp and Burns’ piano again accentuates the arrangement.

Alabama Mike covers two lesser-known Elmore James tunes. “Strange Angel” is taken at a medium pace. Benjamin sings with conviction , supported by Barron Shullman on tenor sax and Wheal on guitar. The band rocks harder on “Knockin’ at Your Door”. Benjamin strains his voice a bit at times trying to match powerful accompaniment. The disc closes with a booming Benjamin vocal on a track in the classic James style. Silveira lays down a strong beat for Lawton’s slide guitar while Mischo contributes plenty of hot licks on his harp.

It is a real treat to review a disc this good, especially when it comes from an unknown name. The batch of original tunes on this release serve as proof of Benjamin’s skill as a songwriter. Alabama Mike gathered together a strong supporting cast of veteran musicians who inject each cut with an authentic blues sound., topped off by Benjamin’s inspired vocals. Look for this disc to gather plenty of well-deserved attention for Alabama Mike, who may be an early contender for the Best New Artist award. This one is highly recommended !!! --- Mark Thompson, Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL

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1. Tailor Made 	4:35 
2. Ghetto Life 	3:22 
3. Eddie Lee 	5:33 	
4. Go Ahead 	5:00 
5. I'm gone 	3:41 	            play
6. Enough to Keep Me Holding On 	4:13
7. Moon Dog Howl 	4:54 
8. Stop Putting Me On 	3:50 	
9. Look Here Baby 	3:35            play
10. Hoo Doo Man 	5:42 
11. Easiest Thing I'll Ever Do 	4:47


Alabama Mike – vocals, guitar
Anthony Paule – guitar
Jon Lawton - guitar 
Scot Brenton – bass
James Cotton – harmonica
Tom Holland - drums
And horns section

Alabama Mike is a hard-driving Chicago style blues singer with the ability to make you feel as if you’ve revisited the early CHESS RECORDS days.

Many things come to mind upon hearing Alabama Mike sing for the first time, but mostly it’s where has this guy been? With a soulful voice that brings such greats as Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Little Johnny Taylor and yes, even BB King to mind, you will be asking yourself, “Why haven’t I seen or heard of him before.”

Alabama Mike is a very unique talent, not only a gifted singer but also a very talented songwriter, having penned over half of the tunes on this impressive debut.

Born in Talladega, Alabama, in 1964, “Alabama” was influenced by the Gospel singing of his father at an early age, as well as his love for Chicago Blues. Alabama Mike is embarking upon a bright future. He is an artist that anybody that has any interest in the Blues will soon notice.

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