Mikeal Santana
"Point of Departure"

Remember when you were a kid and your wittiest response to an insult was, "It takes one to know one"? Well that philosophy has paid big dividends for Mikael Santana and the Metrosonics. Santana is a harmonica player, and a very good one. The Metrosonics are his band, and they are very good as well. Where they really get help on "Point of Departure" is from producer and arranger Billy Gibson, also a harmonica player, and an excellent one. Gibson, who also heads up North Magnolia Music Co., knows how to record harmonica. What that means for Santana is a very strong debut release. The 10 Santana originals are more Chicago-style than Delta blues, but it isn't too slick, thanks to the solid grooves of the Metrosonics and Gibson's touch on the control board.

The Metrosonics - drummer John Burgess, guitarists Mark Conklin and "Big Al" Rollag and bassist Slim Louis - deserve major kudos for their work. The focus is on harmonica, but without solid backup, the record would fall apart. Our favorites include "Not My Problem" and "Point of Departure," on which Gibson adds a second harmonica. Overall, "Point of Departure" is an excellent starting point for Santana and the Metrosonics. File this under must have by local musicians.

By Norm Shaw - "Bluespeak" magazine