Birmingham

As the 2000s progressed and playlists of terrestrial mainstream stations narrowed in the smooth jazz format, brilliant indie artists like this inventive, Alabama based, veteran electric guitarist were left out in the cold for the most part and had to find other outlets. Fortunately, at least for his breezier songs like "Shuttlesworth Drive," there were internet outlets and that crisp, melodic track charted deservedly high on Smoothjazz.com's Indie Star Chart Top 50. By sheer force of undeniable infectiousness, it also shot its way onto the Radio & Records' chart. The cool shuffling acoustic ballad "Miles Away" is right in the radio-friendly pocket as well — at least until its last minute, when Eric Essix picks up the electric guitar and goes rock-wild. Essix began recording in the late '80s and was always dynamic and innovative in his approach to melodic easy funk guitar. But it wasn't till 2000 that he dug in and found his truest heart as an artist — one who was dedicated to exploring the soul, R&B, gospel, and country music he grew up listening to in Alabama. In many ways, Birmingham, starting with its vibrantly rhythmic title track, is a rich extension of a journey that began with Southbound and continued with 2004's Somewhere in Alabama. Stops along this stretch of road include the gentle, slightly bluesy acoustic piece "Big Valley," the wistful, ethereal "Brother Bryan," and the hard jamming gospel-rock barnburner "Hard Work." Essix saves the spiritual essence of Birmingham for a slow simmering, highly inspiring take on "We Shall Overcome," which includes a knee-slapping outro that ends the trip on a rousing note.