Synergy

From time to time two talented singers/musicians will forgo ego and merge together for a project. Some, like Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, may even discover that they prefer working together. One only has to listen to three songs on Synergy to know why. Hurst sings the lead track, "I Ain't Got the Blues," a happy song despite the appearance of "blues" in the title. Raines sings "Cold Hard Business," a moralistic tale noting that sooner or later, one's bad deeds will have to be paid for. The instrumental "Guidology" gives the duo a chance to rest their vocal chords while Hurst cuts loose on the guitar. This diverse approach creates a contemporary folk music that sparkles and shines. The acoustic arrangements are spare, but, thanks to Hurst's fancy picking and Raines' bouncy bass work, full. Cuts like the jazzy "Buzzed" and the instrumental "Automotive Breakdown" remind one how lively folk can be when given a fresh makeover by inspired performers. A couple of Hurst's vocals also flirt with country, and "The Hero" carries a conservative point of view toward war that's more Nashville than Newport. There's no dead wood on Synergy, meaning that even the last two cuts, "Mist of Memory" and "Cincinnati at Night," impress. Recommended for folk and bluegrass fans. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., Rovi