Track listing: The Traveler, Rolling In The Groove, Luck Of The Draw, Magnetic, Fire On The Mountain
"The Traveler" opens OC Hazel's debut EP Fire On The Mountain. An aggressive, head-bobbing groove the tells the tale of a vagabond bluesman. Hazel has made a name for himself as a go-to session guitarist, but across the EP's five tracks you get to know him as a songwriter and singer on his own.
There's a gorgeous 'stank' on "Rolling In The Groove"--the guitar tone is as smooth as it is nasty. This song brings an undeniable crunch and ferocity. By the time you get to Track 3, "Luck of the Draw" you realize that this isn't an album where a session wizard decided to put his chops on display. Quite the contrary, OC keeps his leads impressively minimal given his fretboard skill and experience. Instead, Fire On The Mountain is about a man with a message.
Being a 1st-generation Nigerian American with Igbo heritage, OC pays homage to the ancient oral storytelling tradition, folk songs, and poetry--an aspiring Chinua Achebe, but with a smooth Blues soundtrack.
"Magnetic" brings a mellow vibe to party, with the EP's title track channeling the groove that began the record--some funk, a deliberate vocal delivery, and an etheral guitar tone to underscore the sonic magic OC has set out to conjure.
Keep an eye out for OC Hazel's upcoming shows, news and more at ochazel.com. And take a listen to Fire On The Mountain on all major streaming platforms. Links all over at: