Gov't Mule MIGHTY HIGH

Gov't Mule: Warren Haynes (vocals, guitar); Danny Louis (guitar, trumpet, keyboards); Andy Hess (bass guitar); Matt Abts (drums, percussion).
Personnel: Gordie Johnson (guitar); Jenny Hill (saxophone); Pamela Fleming (trumpet); Buford O'Sullivan (trombone); Machan Caswell, Elaine Caswell (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Willi Williams, Michael Franti, Toots Hibbert (vocals).
With a title that nods to the previous Gov't Mule release, HIGH & MIGHTY, this 2007 collection presents reggae & dub versions of tunes from the Southern rock band's earlier outings. While this may seem like a bizarre curveball to some Mule fans, the ever-adventurous group has ventured into this territory before, specifically on "Unring the Bell" from the aforementioned record, which appears in altered form as both the echo-laden "Unblow Your Horn" and the snarling "Unthrow That Spear," featuring vocalist Michael Franti. Though Warren Haynes's guitar heroics are significantly downplayed on this outing, MIGHTY HIGH proudly upholds Gov't Mule's bold eclecticism, making it a worthy, if not essential, album for the lauded act's legion of admirers.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop