Looking at the artist’s history and this album credits raises the level of expectation considerably. New York singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Benny Trokan played with bands such as Spoon, Lee Fields’ Expressions, Reigning Sound, Charles Bradley’s Extraordinaires and The Jay Vons. On his first solo record Do You Still Think Of Me you hear Morgan King (bass) and Mikey Post (drums), but also contributions from countless other big names. Trokan reportedly wrote the twelve songs here with other singers in mind, but it was a good decision that he kept them for himself—I am pleasantly surprised, in many ways. Musically it is a unique mix of 60s-inspired soul, garage rock and freakbeat, partly sweet and partly raw, partly subdued and partly energetic, but always appealing and well-executed. An unsuspecting listener might think this LP is a various artists compilation, if it weren’t for the gritty vocals and wonderful production that provide a common thread. This one is a keeper.

Do You Still Think Of Me is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Wick Records.

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