TWO years ago, when Jack Ingram won the Academy of Country Music award for Best New Male Vocalist, many knew that he’d actually spent years playing theatres, clubs, and stadiums. Hard-core fans had tasted his music for more than a decade and he could easily have followed in the footsteps of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and a few other country heroes. This 11-track album can validate and amplify those thoughts.

He sails through some of the best modern sounds around complimented with an edge of some of the aforementioned heroes.

From the hard-driving up-tempo tracks to the melodic ballad, he places his unique stamp on each offering. Guests Patty Griffin and Dierks Bentley join forces on two tracks. Highlights for me include the opener, Free, which is in the Top Fifty Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and the Barefoot and Crazy track which gave him a radio smash hit and summer soundtrack last year. The CD includes videos of Barefoot and Crazy along with That’s A Man. It’s a great release from not such a new name. Let’s hope this offering brings him to the attention of a newer audience here in Britain.