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Cactus
‘V’
(Escapi Music)

Cactus. Now theres a name. Originally formed in 1970 by ex Vanilla Fudgers Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert, it was their intention to form a supergroup with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart. One can only imagine what might’ve happened with this band, but history would take a different turn with Jeff Beck hospitalised and Rod joining the Faces. And so Cactus was born with ex Buddy Miles Express guitarist Jim McCarty and ex Amboy Dukes vocalist Rusty Day. Despite only lasting 3 years until their demise in 1973, Cactus released no less than 4 albums. 33 years later, Cactus are back together sadly minus Rusty Day who passed away in 1982, but with able replacement in ex Savoy Brown vocalist Jimmy Kunes. According to Appice, they’ve tried to keep it as true to the original band sound and from the 14 tracks evidenced on ‘V’, they’re pretty much succeeded. Cactus played power boogie with hard edged blues and yes, the gritty vocals of Rusty Day are equally matched by Jimmy Kunes today who also has bounds of soul as he sings thru the pure blues of ‘Blues For Mr Day’. The harmonica is still there (‘The Groover’) and the band prove they can still be raunchy in the funk rock of ‘Brothers Keeper’. Most of all, what brings this album alive is the engineering which brings every instrument up front - its like they just cranked up everything - allowing you to appreciate the excellent musicianship of the band like they’re playing right in front of you, bombarding you with the energy and soul from their ageless music.

-Shan Siva