If it’s true opposites attract, then that certainly explains the unlikely blues-jazz duo of vocalist John McLean and guitarist Charles Barkatz. The octogenarian McLean, a longtime American in Paris, is a Renaissance type who has seemingly done it all: acting, directing, leading jazz groups and now songwriting. The Parisian-born Barkatz, 21 years McLean’s junior, is well-versed in blues and jazz as well as other forms of world music.
Eventually, they inquired if Austin producer Mark Kazanoff of Texas Horns fame would be interested in producing their genre-straddling record. Ultimately, ‘Kaz’ acquiesced and surrounded his pond jumpers with a jammin’ studio band that included his own Texas Horns and guitarist Rich O’Brien.