Albert Astiglia Grits & Glory (LP)

Albert Castiglia pulls no punches on *Grits & Glory*, his latest solo studio album on Gulf Coast Records, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The record feels like a moment of fulfilment – it reconnects Albert with that wide-eyed, guitar-playing boy from New York, whose world was transformed from black and white to Technicolour by an 8-track recording of *Rubber Soul* on his way to a baseball match.

These sparks of curiosity led him to pursue sounds and musicians – Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page – whose influence has echoed in Castiglia’s playing ever since. British blues had always been an integral part of his DNA … but out of reach. Until now. With his team, the vision was clear. When the label gave the green light, there was only one possible venue for the sessions: Abbey Road. Before recording, Albert immersed himself in British culture and stopped off in Birmingham to stroll through the streets that shaped Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi – heroes who have left a lasting mark on his musical soul.

With the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the visit took on added significance and poignancy. Then it was on to London, where the lights turned green and ‘Grits & Glory’ took shape – 100 per cent unfiltered Albert Castiglia, steeped in blues with a British flair. The result is a wild, soulful and vibrant album that brims with history, heart and the sort of determination that demands to be heard loud and clear and lived out to the full.