JJ Grey and Mofro – Orange Blossoms: Album Review

By Howard King on 25th November 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Alligator Records remastered version of the 2008 release Orange Blossoms, takes an introspective look at the life of JJ Grey.

Release Date: Available Now

Label: Alligator Records

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital

70’S ROCK FEEL

Even JJ is surprised that its nearly 20 years since its original release. The title track harps back sonically to a 70’s rock feel; it retains the freshness of an original corner. The Devil You Know, with staccato guitar, is a funkier and soulful in nature. Everything Good Is Bad recalls a relationship he fell into and couldn’t resist.. The yearning pours out of JJ Grey’s vocals. The keyboard opening and shuffling percussion creates a smoky blues club feel on She Don’t Know as he expresses his strong love. Subtle orchestral strings added to the mix gently enhance the mood.

PURE SOUL

The Truth is gorgeous pure soul. Again, minimal instrumental accompaniment allows the yearning vocals to come to the fore. Not being au fait with the original mix, this remastered version shows a high level of precision and delicacy to let the feeling flow, leaving me with the same impression of pure love Judy Clay and William Bell’s Private Number gave all those years ago .

WYLF and On Fire continues to demonstrate continues to show the plethora of musical tricks JJ has up his sleeve; the funky bass on the latter is supreme. Move It On is just seven minutes of soulful blues ear nectar, definitely a must for late night smoochy music to wallow in.

DANCEABILITY

Whilst Higher You Climb and Ybor City retain the danceability style of blues, the latter in particular recalls the 60’s British blues boom. Sandwiched in between is another swaying strings and harmonica enhanced slowy with some deep guitar.

I Believe (In Everything) has pure, honest lyrics which really summarises everything we have heard before both vocally and musically. It has an anthemic refrain which would have everyone swaying along to…a joyous and emotional ending to a wonderful album.

Whether the contemporary vinyl recording betters the original CD recording remains to be seen and to be honest only in the hands (or ears) of those who know the the latter well enough but on first hearing this is certainly an album to have in any soul loving collection.