Aki Kumar - God Bless The USA CD

Release date: 2025 - Little Village

With Blues music there’s an age-old conflict that quietly rages involving tradition and innovation.
“That’s not Blues” vs “You’re doing the same thing over and over again” are the 2 defining mantras.

Difficult to reference anybody who has ever appeased both camps but here comes Aki Kumar and
his like-minded mates that organically appear to have done both.

Organically could also be termed effortlessly or not premeditated. Innovation for innovation’s sake
never works. Same with tradition for tradition’s sake.

Arriving at such a place takes time.

A lot of time.

Aki built a recording studio and taught himself how to operate it. As a harp player he also took on
learning to play drums well enough that other band leaders hire him for gigs.

Impressive.

Even more impressive is his natural ability to make good decisions about the music, the lyrics and
the look. His previous Little Village releases, Aki Goes to Bollywood and Hindi Man Blues clearly
demonstrate that.

In these times it’s refreshing that there’s a new look for the Blues tradition.

Listen and see for yourself.

-Jim Pugh