Based in San Francisco, the Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen were formed in 2018, releasing their first album, The Road Back, in 2021. The band (Ratti – guitar/vocals, Dineen – vocals, Tony “Macaroni” Lufrano – keys, Steve Hazlewood – bass, Randy Hayes) recently signed with MoMojo Records and have released their second album, Come To Me, produced by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios. The set includes 11 tracks written or co-written by Ratti and Dineen.

The opening track, “No Delusion,” is an easygoing funky blues that serves as a fine introduction to the band for newcomers, with Dineen's measured, but powerful vocal and Ratti's sharp fretwork.

The exuberant “Get In Line” picks up the tempo, adding a bit of soul to the mix, while the title track is a splendid slow burner with a steamy vocal from Dineen, moody B3 and piano from Lufrano, and fine fretwork from Ratti.

“I Can See” is a mid-tempo mix of blues and soul, and “Riley” is a smoky urban blues instrumental with B.B. King overtones that showcases Ratti's guitar and Lufrano on B3.

The uplifting “Blessing In The Blues” is a glorious mix of blues, soul, and a little bit of gospel, and “Coming Down” is gritty soul in a Memphis vein with more fine work from Lufrano and Ratti on B3 and guitar respectively.

Ratti handles vocals on the funky blues “About You.” “Uncle Joe” is a mellow instrumental with a Southern rock feel, and “Pretty Good Man” finds Dineen returning to the mic for a tender, but tough vocal about finding the right fellow.

The album closer is an extended version of the title track, that finds the band stretching things out in fine fashion.

Come To Me is an excellent set of blues, rock, and soul that features well-crafted tunes and outstanding musical support from the band. Carmen Ratti is a superb guitarist and Jill Dineen is a wonderful vocalist, both with lots of range and style in their delivery.

This is an album, and band, well worth seeking out for blues fans.

--- Graham Clarke