Long-time Toronto Blues Society members will already be familiar with Britain’s Steve Payne and his music. A few years back he would regularly treat Torontonians to intimate solo shows, feeling comfortable enough with the city to make it a bit of a home away from home. He’s not been back for a while, however – which makes this 6-track release a serious ‘welcome back’. For those unfamiliar with his work, one exposure to his mercurial musical presence would render you an instant fan.

For anyone unfamiliar with SP3, it’s a fresh take on Payne’s strengths as an expressive singer, masterful songwriter and – especially – distinctive fingerstyle guitarist. That’s the SP. Payne adds multi-instrumentalist and singer, Lyndon Webb and harpist, Billyboy Miskimmin, into the mix for a powerfully dynamic ‘second coming’ which easily serves to underline everything you’ve ever loved about his music – if not more so. Altogether, they are SP3.

Starting out in ’72, Payne mined the burgeoning folk boom in Britain adding elements of blues and even rock as he perfected his guitar-playing and took control of both his singing voice, his poetic gift for words and his understated, soothing vocals. He would complement this with some exceptional harp-playing, as well. Here he is – all the better for his deep-dish evolution over time – sounding every bit as fresh as he did many years ago, with his performance skills enhanced along the way.

As always, Payne can’t really be pegged as either folkie or blues man, yet his work has strong elements of both. Reinvigorated by the chemistry of this progressive trio, the lead-off track “Lot ‘o Rain”, is a sensational track. High energy and highly percussive, all three players have created  a full-on charge as Miskimmin’s harp provides sharp contrast to the delicate, flowery guitars of both Payne and Webb (who also adds drums and bass here). The picking is a highlight while the harmonica cuts through to match the power of the song’s aggressive rhythm.

The buoyant “Fire On The Hill” sits back by comparison, injecting a more laidback – yet still highly-spirited energy with dancing, double acoustic guitars (Payne adding slide) and Miskimmin’s animated harp (with a sound reminiscent of Toots Thielemans’ tone on the theme for “Midnight Cowboy”). Payne’s voice is as stand-out on this track as the lyric is head-turning…”Burning bedlam down”…

The somewhat less impressive “Ragtime Suzie *2” is a harmonica-driven boogie which works the band into a froth yet falls a little flat when compared to the dramatic starting tracks. Still, Payne has some fun with the character and both guitars and harp deliver an urgent, still-notable jam.

“Angelina” is the money shot. A spectacular , more reflective composition, it intros with a touch of Spanish-sounding guitar and builds a darker feel than its high-energy counterparts. Payne’s in fine form and sounds like he’s been drinking in the back alleyways of Willy Deville. Everything works and power chords (slightly recalling The Who’s “Tommy”, if not Mangione’s “Hill Where The Lord Hides”) drive this robust track while Miskimmin’s harp punctuates every move. Webb provides additional background vocals, adding body to the song. Goosebumps abound.

“21st Century Blues” is a bit of a throwaway blues track – still sporting incredible chemistry between the players as it chugs away with multiple flourishes of standout fingerstyle guitar and juicy harp, pitted against a 3-dimensional backdrop of beefy B3 (Webb).

Possibly saving the best for last, the title track – “Almost Blue” should be heard by everyone as an introduction to this understated superstar and his trio. Slowed down, with more opportunities for the guitar lines to shine and for Payne to strut his velveteen, vocal prowess, this could be the best 5 minutes and 20 seconds you could ever spend. Moody guitars complement Payne’s expressive, heartfelt vocal, accenting superlative lyrics as Miskimmin’s harp comes in at the halfway mark – boasting that Thielemans-like tone which, itself, stands way out from the norm. Exceptional music.

Why Steve Payne isn’t better known is beyond belief. The people he has played with, or for, makes for a standalone bio while these two fellow musicians serve to amplify his abilities as a songwriter. The way Payne, Webb and Miskimmin merge as three passionate players – each showcasing their own distinctive talents – is all the better for the seamless blend they achieve as a trio. SP3 was simply meant to be. At only 6 songs, let’s hope the next outing follows right behind this one as they further perfect their singular sound.

To put it in a nutshell? Simply exhilarating.  (Eric Thom)