Keb’ Mo’ – True Reflection
I slid my new Keb’ Mo’ cd into my laptop and I-Tunes automatically categorized it in the “blues” genre. This certainly isn’t the computer program’s fault. Keb’ Mo’ first made a name for himself
as a blues musician, playing a wicked slide guitar. While that may be where he came from, it is certainly not where he finds himself on his current outing, True Reflection, the first release on his
Yolabelle label. If anything his influences are rooted more in pop, soul, and r&b. The results, however, are nothing new or even very interesting. It’s milquetoast and uninspired. This is not too say that Keb’ Mo’ is not a talented musician and vocalist. He is even ably backed on several numbers by the equally talented India Arie and Vince Gill.  The results are simply middling with a too clean production by Keb’ Mo’ himself and laughably weak lyrics. Even a cover of The Eagles’ classic “One of These Nights,” lends nothing to this languid affair. True Reflection needs more grit. Maybe if Keb’ Mo’ looks a little deeper at his own reflection he will find something with a little more bite for his next effort.
