A minor hit following its release in early 1969,
Blues Image's debut album is very much cut in the image of the British blues bands that inspired the group in the first place, without ever nodding slavishly toward their examples. Rather, the two drummer lineup, with its penchant for Latin and other esoteric breaks and rhythms, places
Blues Image closer to a swampy
Santana than
Cream or
Fleetwood Mac, with solid rockers like "(Do You Have) Something to Say," "Outside Was Night," and "Yesterday Could Be Today" also adding a healthy dose of psychedelia to the proceedings. Often overlooked in favor of the band's hit-packing second album,
Blues Image is nevertheless a punchy, and thoroughly enjoyable set, loaded with a musical promise that would explode into day-glo prominence across the course of their sophomore set. ~ Dave Thompson