Who'd've believed that Europe was home to some of today's grittiest, greasiest, most authentic blues? Folks like Italian harmonicat and vocalist Egidio "Juke" Ingala are out to open your mind to the new blues. Fresh from Italy's popular Dirty Hands band, Juke makes his solo debut on Italy's new Popolo del Blues label with Nite Life Boogie, a rocking set of juke-joint, bar-brawlin' dance classics. Juke is a helluva harpster and his grooves swing like mad: in step with the raging swing thing and, oddly enough, right in line with the best of the baddest Chicago bar-band blues. Juke shines in solos, jazzy pianist Alberto Marsico (a real treat here) offers plenty of sass and moxy to hold it all together while two of the three instrumentals ("Strollin' With Shirley," "Schultzville, USA") provide mouth-watering spots for guitarist Alex Schultz. Nite Life Boogie offers a tasty treat of the new Italian blues: a great party record that swings like the real thing!

Songs:Nite Life boogie; Let Me Back; How Could I Love You; If You Love Me, Baby; I Knew; Strollin' With Shirley; I Had My Fun; Baby, You Don't Know; How Fine Can You Be; Let Me Say; Schultzzville, USA; You Don't Even Know; Blowin' Red's Top

Players:Egidio Juke Ingala: harmonica, vocals; Alex Schultz: guitar; Alberto Marsico: piano; "Big S" Walter Tosin: bass; Gio Rossi: drums.