Rock · Blues
The Blues Project
When The Blues Project formed in Greenwich Village in 1965, they helped ignite the American blues-rock revolution alongside bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
When The Blues Project formed in Greenwich Village in 1965, they helped ignite the American blues-rock revolution alongside bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
Evolution brings together original members Steve Katz and Roy Blumenfeld with a new generation of Hudson Valley musicians to create something unexpected: an album that captures the freewheeling spirit of the original band while standing entirely on its own.
Evolution (2023)
Recorded during the summer of 2022 at NRS Recording Studio in Catskill, NY, Evolution delivers 12 tracks spanning blues, swamp rock, gospel, country, and jazz—the same genre-defying approach that made the original Blues Project so distinctive.
The title track opens with a driving minor-key blues that announces the band is in fighting form. From there, the album moves through swampy slide guitar on “I Won’t Go Back,” a country-tinged “I Played a Little Fiddle,” and the Latin-flavored flute instrumental “Peru”—a tribute to original member Andy Kulberg, who passed away in 2002.
Al Kooper, who left the original band to co-found Blood, Sweat & Tears, contributed “Inside Information,” adding a connection to the group’s storied past.
Track Listing
- Evolution (4:24)
- I Won’t Go Back (5:03)
- I Played a Little Fiddle (3:01)
- In the Spirit (0:49)
- Spirit (3:27)
- Remedy (4:02)
- Peru (5:31)
- Roamin’ Blues (5:28)
- Inside Information (4:38)
- Mean Ol’ Southern (4:48)
- All over the Map (3:45)
- Evolution Reprise (2:24)
The Band
Steve Katz
Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Original Blues Project member and co-founder of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Steve produced Lou Reed’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal and ran the Celtic label Green Linnet Records.
Roy Blumenfeld
Drums, Vocals
Original Blues Project member who went on to form Seatrain and has remained active in music for six decades.
Scott Petito
Bass, Slide Guitar, Vocals, Producer
Bassist and owner of NRS Recording Studio. Co-wrote the title track and “Evolution Reprise” with Roy.
Chris Morrison
Lead Guitar, Vocals
Hudson Valley guitarist who sings lead on three tracks and co-wrote “Evolution.”
Ken Clark
Keyboards, Vocals
Rounds out the lineup with Hammond organ and piano.
Guest Musicians
- Colin Linden – Slide guitar
- Bill Harris – Flute
- Beth Reineke – Backing vocals
What They’re Saying
“There’s not a cut on the album that you would want to lift the needle and skip. I didn’t even know it was going to be that good until halfway through it.”
— Steve Katz, Rock Cellar Magazine
“Evolution miraculously captures the magic of the original group which never rose to the attention it deserved.”
— Don Wilcock, American Blues Scene
“The two original members have kept the eclectic rock and blues ethos of the band going, and with first-rate musicianship.”
— George Graham, WVIA-FM
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