Take one of Jimi Hendrix’s most dynamic guitar work-outs; stir in the cream of modern power trios; season with the only guitarist ever to step into Ritchie Blackmore’s shoes and make people forget who used to wear them… and what do you get?
“Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” the new single by Hollywood rockers Dead Groove with special guests Steve Morse (Deep Purple) and southern blues guru Lance Lopez, that’s what.
Released today, “Voodoo Child” was one of the stand-out tracks on Hendrix’s already revolutionary Electric Ladyland double album, a slimmed-down reprise-of-sorts of the 15 minute masterpiece that devoured most of side one.
The title itself might surprise some Hendrix purists… across most of the world, the song was called “Voodoo Chile” and it topped the UK singles chart following Hendrix’s death in September 1970. In the US and France, however, it was “Voodoo Child,” and it was the early 1980s before that title became universal. When it first appeared on a British reissue, the fans all screamed it was a misprint.
“Voodoo Chile,” Voodoo Child,” it really doesn’t matter. From the moment that wah-wah intro kicks into earshot, you know exactly what it is. But Dead Groove offer up much more than a simple cover of a classic track - and how could they not?
Led by the incendiary rhythm section of Holly West (Zepparella) and Fred Aching (Kings of Thrash), Dead Groove made it clear long ago that it’s their hearts that they follow, not their ears. And with the twin guitar assault of Morse and Lopez stepping into the frontline, almost anything could - and, inevitably, did - happen.
"We had so much fun working on this song honoring one of the biggest guitar rock stars in the world,” say Fred and Holly. “It's an honor to be playing with these excellent guitar players, Steve Morse and Lance Lopez.”
They describe “Voodoo Child” as “a unique version that honors Jimi’s legacy," and they’re not wrong.
And, talking of guitar legends, flip the red vinyl 7-inch single over, and there’s a Tommy Bolin rarity awaiting, a 2024 mix of “Post Toastee,” from the late axeman’s 1976 Private Eyes solo album.
But “Voodoo Child” is not confined to a single alone. It also closes the bonus track-stacked deluxe edition of Dead Groove’s 2026 EP Rubicon, expanded across 14 songs to include, too, Dead Groove’s first album, from 2023, and more besides.
It’s an ear-shattering collection, with Fred and Holly joined by regular guitarist Cesar Slaverry, of Peruvian monsters Mauser, and not only blasting through a host of Dead Groove originals, but throwing down Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” as well. Which makes, incidentally, for a wonderful piece of synchronicity. Lemmy worked for a while as one of Hendrix’s roadies!
SINGLE: https://orcd.co/deadgroove_stevemorse_lancelopez
7”: https://cleorecs.com/products/dead-groove-steve-morse-lance-lopez-tommy-bolin-voodoo-child-slight-return-post-toastee-rare-2024-mix-7-vinyl
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/EyE7zVFRvN0
CD: https://cleorecs.com/products/dead-groove-rubicon-deluxe-edition-cd
Track listing
1. Fire
2. The Damned
3. Ace Of Spades
4. Satellite King
5. ‘69 Stingray
6. Maverick
7. The Devil
8. Bad Friend
9. Silver Spoon
10. Play Your Hand
11. The Book Of The Dead
12. Ghost
13. Into Infinity
14. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) feat. Steve Morse and Lance Lopez
Steve Morse and Lance Lopez Join Dead Groove For a Fiery Return to Jimi’s “Voodoo Child.”
