Gaye Adegbalola & The Wild Rutz - Is It Still Good To Ya? (HOT TODDY Records)

​I have been an admirer of Gaye Adegbalola since a friend introduced me to Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women over a decade back. I had always hoped to see the trio perform in the UK but it was never to be as they went their separate ways a few years back and then super pianist Anne Rabson left us so any hopes of a reunion were quashed. It is a personal delight to hear Gaye maintaining the sassy gender politics of Saffire in her solo career.  Maybe the track 'I Know You Wanna Change (But Yo' Momma Won't Let You)' sort of exemplifies the disdain with which she regards we mere men and this is a constant theme as she challenges relationships. She uses her wry sense of humour to make her (scalpel sharp) points and takes no prisoners. The title track sets us off by posing a question to a long-term partner, detailing the flaws her body has developed over the years but needing reassurance that 'it's still good to ya'. The percussions and harmonies on this CD are at times very unusual - Doo Wop to Gospel and who knows what else? - and this alone would make it quite unique. But it's Gaye's lyrics and their delivery which makes this album so darned great.