Michael Powers - Onyx Root

Onyx Root takes listeners through the different flavors of 60s and 70s soul, blues and psychedelia as seen through the eyes of Michael Powers, whose music career spans over 40 years of performing with the Ad Libs, James Cotton and Moonbeam as well as sharing the stage with such icons as James Brown, Bo Diddley, the Ronettes, Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, and Johnny Winter.

Guest appearances on Onyx Root include drummer Steve Jordan (Keith Richards, Blues Brothers, Sheryl Crow), bassist Neil Jason (Paul McCartney, Roxy Music, Cyndi Lauper) and members of Columbia recording artist Ollabelle – Amy Helm (vocals), Jimi Zhivago (keyboards & guitars), Fiona McBain (vocals) and Glen Patscha (piano).

The album features six originals, four of which Powers co-composed with either Michael Rachinsky, Steve Jordan or Luigi Franconi. The remaining seven songs are covers rearranged with Powers unique gritty edge.

Onyx Root was produced by Steve Rosenthal and recorded at his studio, The Magic Shop, in New York City. Rosenthal has worked with many blues artists including Albert Collins, Charles Brown, Little Jimmy King, and Champion Jack Dupree and restored over 20 Alan Lomax Blues albums. This year he has also coordinated the archives for retrospectives of The Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits and The Animals. Chosen because of their extensive knowledge and reputation in the blues genre, Steve Rosenthal and Jimi Zhivago, associate producer, was the perfect production team to interpret Powers’ musical vision.

With such a diverse collection of songs and influences, Onyx Root takes the listener on an incredible ride. Michael Powers’ story is none other than one man paying his dues to play the blues.