Smith/Kotzen “Taking My Chances”

WHATEVER IT WAS that brought this unlikely pairing of guitarists to record together, we are all in its debt. This first taste from Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith and soul rock virtuoso Richie Kotzen’s new project delivers on all fronts, the pair trading vocals and licks with gutsy conviction and effortless ease. The solo section sees the two C# musicians attacking blues in their own inimitable ways — Smith digging in hard with the pick over some throaty wah tones before Kotzen’s fingerstyle concludes in a dazzling display of liquid legato. This could very well end up being the definitive blues-rock album of 2021.