By: David Schultz

As the most identifiable member of Blues Traveler, John Popper has become associated with the band's free-wheeling, blues-heavy, harmonica laden rock and roll. Any musician that has crafted such a signature sound as Popper runs the danger that they become so intrinsically identified with it that it's hard to break out and do something different. Many musicians never attempt to vary their successful formula, churning out slight variations on a theme; others travel a different road. Opting for that less-traveled avenue, John Popper has assembled fellow Blues Traveler bassist Tad Kinchla, Mosaic drummer Marcus Bleecker and turntablist extraordinaire DJ Logic and formed the simply named John Popper Project.

On the self-titled album, Popper proves that he isn't a one trick pony. Although half the band comes from Blues Traveler, the Project doesn't come across as a bastardized or modified version of Blues Traveler. The absence of a lead guitarist would mark enough of a departure from the Blues Traveler sound but it's DJ Logic’s creative beats that gives the Project its distinct flavor. As if finding the essence of the band's sound, Logic comes so perfectly in synch with Popper that it seems to raise the musicianship of everyone involved; "Featuring DJ Logic" isn't an ego boost or marketing decision, it's a well deserved accolade. With Logic laying down sinuous beats, Popper and Kinchla slither through the seamy "Lapdance" and with Warren Haynes and Liquid Soul's Greenweedz lending a hand, "Louisiana Sky" simmers in it's stomping Cajun beat. With Popper entwining his harmonica into Logic's seemingly incompatible Caribbean beat, "Took" takes on an intriguing vibe. The experimentation carries through the tiki lounge grunge of "Morning Light." Not every song works swimmingly: where Logic's slower tempo works well for the smoldering "Fire In Her Kiss," which also features Haynes on guitar, it mismatches with Popper's voice and becomes sludgy on "In The Midst."



Popper's prodigious harmonica is present but plays more of a supporting role. Relying more on his vocals, which are starting to sound more and more like Living Colour's Corey Glover, Popper tones down his mouth organ using the interaction with Logic, Kinchla and Bleecker to create something different. When Logic is out of the prominent mix, like on "Everything," the Project slides back to a more Blues Travelerish sound. However on "Horses," with its layered vocals and studio effects, Bleecker's impressive drumming comes to the forefront and provides the innovation.

Where amalgamations of different established musicians can oftentimes result in unwieldy style clashes with no one finding the proper room to play, The John Popper Project finds four musicians meshing together and accentuating each other's strengths. If Popper's goal with the project was to take some risks and explore some different styles, he has produced a resounding success.

Labels: DJ Logic, John Popper Project