Based in Southern California since 2014, renowned Brazilian guitarist Celso Salim and his band are announcing the release of their new album - Mama's Hometown. Produced by Mike Hightower and Salim himself for Wide Tracks Recordings, this is the first album recorded in the US with the band's new formation. Full of soulful and energetic performances, the band presents a new sound rooted in the blues past, crossing genre boundaries, creating something that is original and compelling. Their music takes on many styles, mixing deep blues with hints of soul, country, jazz and rock.
Mama's Hometown has 9 tracks, including 8 originals and a version of a traditional gospel song "In My Time of Dying". The album features Celso Salim and Brazilian singer Rafael Cury on lead vocals. Mike Hightower: bass/harmony vocals, Lynn Coulter: drums/percussion/harmony vocals, Dave Fraser: piano/keyboards, Celso Salim: guitars. The album's tittle track recently won the 2018 Independent Music Awards - Vox Pop in the R&B/Soul Song category and the track "Locked Out In Misery" is a finalist in the Blues Song category at the 2018 International Songwriting Competition. In Brazil, Celso has built a solid fan base, releasing 5 solo albums since 2001 and is considered to be one of the best guitarists in the country. He has also toured and recorded with prominent artists in the Brazilian Blues/Rock scene. Frequently featured among top Brazilian acts, Celso has performed at it's biggest festivals and venues. He has toured Europe and opened for legendary artist B. B. King as well as Deep Purple and John Hammond. He has also toured with bluesman Larry McCray and performed with blues legends Magic Slim and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Muddy Waters drummer). Celso re-located to Los Angeles in 2014 becoming one of the busiest and most respected guitarists in Southern California. The Celso Salim Band has won the Southern California Blues Society Battle of the Bands twice (2015 & 2017) and were semi-finalists at the International Blues Challenge 2018 in Memphis, TN.
