For those of you with a forensic eye for detail, you’ll probably know that Jessica Lee Wilkes has spent the past few years plying her musical trade with JD Wilkes (her husband) and the Dirt Daubers. Wilkes’ drive and dynamism was more than partially responsible for turning the Dirt Daubers into a focussed hard rockin’ rock n roll band and this solo offering, five track EP on Free Dirt is a natural extension of that.

Standard 1950’s rock‘n’roll isn’t the sort of thing that regular readers of Ghost Cult are likely to have at the top of their most wanted lists for any calendar month but, for once, have a word and open your mind and ears.

Wilkes’ music is organic 1950s rock n roll; it’s the coming of age America but seen with modern 21st century lens. There are many who and try to pull this off with most end up sounding like pastiche. This works for two reasons: firstly, Wilkes is a compelling femme fatale (as well as a corking bass player) and second, surrounding yourself with a group of musicians who know exactly what they are doing backs off the risk. Wilkes has Jason Smay (JD McPherson) on drums, Kellie Everett (The Hooten Hallers) on saxophone and Eddie Angel (Los Straitjackets) on guitar. That, my friends, is quality.

Lone Wolf’s five tracks come and go in a twelve-minute flurry of brass parts, driven bass lines and Dick Dale inspired surf-guitar licks. It’s modern yet rooted in the roadside diners and dive bars of yesteryear. It’s the Saturday night dance of your parents or grandparents teenage dreams; it’s knowingly atavistic and delivered with love and insight and passion.

This is the soundtrack to the next Quentin Tarantino movie.

You read it here first, kids.

7.5/10

Jessica Lee Wilkes on Facebook

MAT DAVIES