MIKE ZITO Source: Modern Guitars Magazine Date: 08/2008 Writer: Brian D. Holland

Guitarist/vocalist Mike Zito recently released Today, a diverse collection of outstanding songs all entwined around tasteful guitar playing and fine musicianship. Though he now hails from Nederland, Texas, growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, certainly contributed to the potpourri of interesting styles and sounds heard on the CD. For the most part, all of the songs are somewhere in the realm of contemporary rock and blues.
Zito’s voice is so incredibly soulful that it can be placed into that diminutive group of elite male blue-eyed soul/blues singers like Steve Winwood, Michael McDonald and Rod Stewart. Though a sound all his own, it’s one that’s passionate and gritty, and incredibly appealing. A fine guitarist and composer as well, it’s a winning combination of a genuine and complete performer.

Though his name might be new to some, Mike Zito has been around for a while. However, substance abuse problems being the unfortunate norm with many fascinating musicians, his budding career was sidetracked for a while. A survivor who understands the issue on a personal basis, fellow musician Walter Trout took him aside one night to focus on the problem. Denial and confusion then caused Mike to drift around the country before arriving in southeast Texas, where he eventually found the love of his life. Finally getting himself on the right track, Mike released Slow It Down in 2004, which led to a 2005 tour consisting of 250 shows. A story to shed light on divine intervention and fate, it all leads up to Today.

Today is Mike Zito in the present day, a brilliant album of rocked up, bluesy and soulful melodies. Diversity shines throughout each and every song. The electrifying opener, “Love Like This,” starts off in a Fabulous Thunderbirds’ manner, highlighted by funky rhythm chops and lead work that’s full of gritty tone, but it soon becomes all Zito in melody and voice. “Superman” glides along in an Al Green ambiance, a groove that’s maximum R&B throughout. Mike’s guitar playing is as diverse as the composition calls for, and that assessment becomes obvious in “Holding Out For Love.” The expressive R&B licks and tasteful chordal arrangements stand out ubiquitously.

Possibly the most interesting and sundry song on the album, “Universe” travels along in a Lenny Kravitz-like groove until nearing the end, where it becomes an inimitable tribute to Jimi Hendrix. A nicely executed slow blues, “Slow It Down” does just that. Zito does an excellent cover of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” to supplement the album’s diversity. Though the recognizable melody is that of the original, Zito takes it down another road, adding a soulful and spicy flavor to it. It’s the only song on the album that’s not a Zito original.

Mike Zito’s Today will be listened to for years to come, as it’s dynamic, optimistic, and genuine. The music is straightforward and earthy. A trait that’s often a rarity these days, his voice takes center stage over incredible musicianship, lifting everything to another level. He pulls out all the stops for absolute passion and zeal throughout, proving that he’s easily one of those performers who’ll have you yearning for another CD just as soon as this one is embedded into your mind.