Along with the Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Gerry Hundt, and others on his Blue Bella label, Nick Moss is one of the most consistent current blues/blues-influenced artists from Chicago.

Moss’ music is not always strict blues; there’s a lot of P-Funk, Robin Trower, and Cream in the mix. Moss serves up a smoking version of Cream’s “Politician” (a thematic companion to “Born Leader”) along with a George-Clinton-inspired/heavy-on-the-wah take on Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” to go along with more traditional fare like a high-energy reading of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Louise.”

Moss’ style is a heavy blues with grit and sweaty grind, as purveyed in “You’re Love’s A Lie.” With the snappy jazz-funk of “Bolognious Funk” featuring Hundt on rhythm guitar and John Kattke on organ, and the thunderous drive typified by “Why Should I Care.”

Privileged has broad appeal, and should especially strike the fancy of those who think ZZ Top got off track when someone welded the compressor knob on 11.

This article originally appeared in VG’s Jul. ’10 issue.  All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine.  Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.