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With an album called Midnight Mojo Man, you know we have to headed right back into the belly of hard rocking blues goodness otherwise known as Grooveyard Records. This time it’s Dirty Dave Osti taking up the good fight, as the seasoned fretsmith offers up another classy slice of guitar-fuelled hard rock. However, what sets Dirty Dave apart from the many is, ironically, his supremely clean and smooth guitar style. The solo on opening cut, “Bad Blood” a sublime example of how he gets his message across without the need for flashy pyrotechnics. Instead caressing the frets, even when he’s hammering out a stinging slew of notes.

Impressively Dirty Dave does everything himself, all aspects of this album from bass and drums to vocals and production all handled by the guitarist. With all bar two of the songs also coming from his hands, Midnight Mojo Man really is a one mojo-man operation. But unlike most albums created in solitary confinement, the beauty here is that whether through the nuanced hi-hat work, or sympathetic bass runs, MMM sounds like it was brought to life by a band and one that’s been together for many a year. Although, I suppose, in a sense, this ‘band’ has been together since the day Dave Osti was born!

The two non-Osti written tracks appear in the guise of the Russ Ballard penned “Liar”, which was made famous in the mid-70s by Three Dog Night; the guitarist thoroughly revelling in its chiming melody and deep groove. Whereas “Walk Before You Run”, by Savoy Brown, proves perfect not just for Osti’s deep bluesy hard rock style, but also for his gravel-laden, lived in voice. I think Dave would even agree that he’ll never be the world’s best singer, but if you’re looking for a storyteller, then he’s your man. Something that becomes all too apparent on the hard rock lullaby “Divide It By Two”, the shuffle and tussle of “Rebel Run” and the insistently driven “River Dog”, with all three burying deep into the mind and proving impossible to root out.

As you’d expect, it’s the guitar that’s the star throughout, the ZZ Top like instrumental “Spacewolf” one of the album’s best illustrations of how Dirty Dave adds all manner of flicks and tricks, without ever leaving you feeling like you’re knee deep in some instructional DVD. Something that the rich riff of “Pusha Man” and poised, yet brooding album closing title track, confirm and then some.

There are few guitarists out there offering up the sort of believable, honest, heartfelt grooves that Dirty Dave Osti always seems to have, literally, at his finger tips. Midnight Mojo Man is yet another prime example and confirms DDO as one of the most under-sung axe men around.

Steven Reid / Sea Of Tranquility (September 2018)
 

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At Grooveyards Records they are busy, this is already the third album of this label in a short time that landed on my desk. First Head Honchos, then Bryce Janey and now Dirty Dave Osti and I have to say it gets better with the cd. I can appreciate this Dirty Dave Osti. His cd 'Midnight Mojo Man' is an old skool against seventies hard rock with abrasive blues, packed in twelve good songs. Regardless of what info on the Grooveyard site there is little to find on the internet about the man and that adds to the mystery, who is Dirty Dave Osti?

The rumor goes around that he does everything himself, the drumming, the bass, the guitar, singing and writing. Oh yes, it is also recorded in his own studio (Dirtshack). His solos are pointy and sharp, his singing is alive, the songs are good and varied with, as said, that nice seventies feel. It is Dirty Dave Osti his fifth CD at Grooveyard and as colleague Peter already reported last year, it is time that this man becomes an audience favorite. He deserves it and he is taking a good step in this direction with this album.

The music of Dave Osti is nice to listen to, the production is perfect, everything is going well, and if he indeed does everything himself only more appreciation. Take Walk Before You Run, that bass work is ingenious, the solos are great. The opening track Bad Blood puts you right on the right blues rock track. Beautiful is also the acoustic Divide It By Two. It is reminiscent of Bon Jovi, and here Dave is not only a good guitar, but also a nice singer. Especially songs like Live Or Die Free, and the rockers Rebel Run and River Dog have that seventies feel when the hard rock was still in its infancy.

To the end, Dirty Dave explores three tracks that show his versatility. The beautiful Liar, Take The Heat Off, with a superb solo, and the best song of the CD the title track Midnight Mojo Man. Starting with some ominous thunderstorms, then that bass line, it continues ominously with some subtle guitar work and with a kind of magic, some voodoo, slowly working towards a solo that says everything about Dirty Dave Osti, a great guitarist and top musician.

Jos Verhagen / Blues Magazine - Holland (September 2018)
 

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You want it dirty and loud? Then blues rocker Dirty Dave Osti's new album should be just the thing for a fat evening. California's string wizard has released his fifth studio album "Midnight Mojo Man" and released on cult label Grooveyard Records, home to many artists of the genre. The basis of his game is the blues, which he offers with plenty of hard rocky elements and thus offers just the right playground for fans of hard blues rock. His dust-dry and rough vocal style gives the songs their very own stamp and completes his playing excellently. Here every song is a statement for the entire album - without any failure.

Conclusion: Fantastic blues rock of the hard and rough kind.

Christoph Speidel / Metal Glory (September 2018)
 

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Dirty Dave Osti is his own trio. On "Midnight Mojo Man" - his fifth studio album - he plays guitar, bass and drums and of course he does. Exceptions confirm the rule: In Digipak he especially thanks Drake Shining for the B3 on "Be The Love". The solo entertainer limits himself to only two foreign compositions on the present record. On the one hand, it is "Walk Before You Run", originally by Savoy Brown and, on the other hand, Russ Ballard's "Liar". Of course, this CD focuses on the emotional states of the guitar. Dirty Dave Osti likes the Southern Rock Twin sound used in some songs. The songs of the California-based artist are based on the hard / blues rock of the 70's. Dirty Dave Osti loves a well-tempered hardness that suits his music very well. The man without an internet presence is old school in a positive sense and he has a meaningful voice, which he also places in the rougher area when needed. Like the previous albums, "Midnight Mojo Man" was released by Grooveyard Records and was fixed for posterity in the dirtshack studio.

Dirty Dave Osti can rock. "Bad Blood" is racing at high speed through the streets of the city. The great groove makes the piece to a Fußwippen favorite and next to the pumping bass, a sharply pointed guitar, the protagonist continues after his brilliant solo nor the bottleneck. At such a plate opening ZZ Top beckons the twelve-cylinder at a corner of the house friendly behind. With its ambiance, "Be The Love" glides back quite clearly into the past. Here and there, the rippling riffs are reminiscent of the early days of Fleetwood Mac's early days when they hit a hit with "Oh Well." Mentioned Drake Shining comes with his Hammond B3 rather subtle to the train.

At this point, it is probably time to mention the other side of Dirty Dave Osti , because he can also convince in a calmer mood. The musician almost makes a step into the profession of singer / songwriter when listening to "Davide It By Two". The acoustic guitar leads us through the number and on top of it the man serves an e-guitar solo soaked in Southern Rock. Class contrast to the mood of the song. With "Take The Heat Off" is a great power-ballad announced. The Classic Rock guitar riffs are infective. Great songs includes the disc. Not only because the title track "Midnight Mojo Man" is the longest piece of the season, comes at the end of a real highlight on the listener. For almost six minutes Dirty Dave Osti celebrates the groove, the moisture-soaked air and guitar fantasies - here again partly in the twin sound that you can listen to over and over again. Excellent! "Walk Before You Run" was arranged with his great bass licks and "Liar" is in the sign of his great voice.

The fifth studio album by Dirty Dave Osti is firmly grounded in the tradition of the American musician. About "Midnight Mojo Man", the sun rises on the horizon and makes, at least musically, a good start to the day.

Joachim 'Joe' Brookes / Rocktimes - Germany (September 2018)
 

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Dirty Dave Osti has four more CDs out on Grooveyard Records and they’ve all been pretty solid in my book. For some reason this one really hit home with me. Not sure what it is, but the riffs seem more solid and I like the groove a bit more. Stylewise, Dave, reminds me a bit of Michael Katon. Solid, heavy, guitar driven blues rock with both feet deep in the ground. “Be The Love” has a really cool 70s sounding classic riff that carries the song. The only thing that pissed me off was that Dave recorded an outstanding cover of “Walk Before You Run” by Savoy Brown. Why? Because I had planned to record it. Love that sone. But, since you did such a kick-ass version, you’re forgiven, Dave ;-). Another outstanding favorite track on this album is “Rebel Run”, a kick-ass riff rocker with some killer drumming. The instrumental “Spacewolf” sticks out a bit as well with its cool funky groove. All in all, a really solid album that should attract fans of classic, riff-oriented hard edged blues rock.

Janne Stark / Stark Music Reviews (September 2018)
 

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“Dirty Dave Osti is a bad bluesman. Not bad as in bad. Bad as in good. Damn good. You might call him a new incarnation of Billy Gibbons with chops galore. But he takes care of all the other instruments, too — bass, drums, vocal, and, oh, that mean public saxophone, as Jimi would say — a guitar that just won’t quit! ‘Midnight Mojo Man,’ his most recent disc, delivers — big time. Mostly original material with two unlikely cover songs by Kim Simmonds/Savoy Brown & Argent, this CD rocks from start to finish. And the covers (dare I say it?) outdo the originals. Blues is the watch-word here. Hard Blues-Rock — hard to play, but not hard to listen to. Hard to do correctly, but not hard to feel. It’s in our soul! This is the real deal. If you like your blues-rock loud and raunchy, this is the CD for you. Don’t get me wrong — it has melodic, softer moments, but the overall will knock you off your feet, as blues-rock is meant to do. Dirty Dave just gets dirtier and dirtier, and I, for one, hope he NEVER cleans up!”

Steven J. Rosen / Author + Journalist (August 2018)
 

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Since "Dirty" Dave Osti chose Grooveyards Records in 2010, "Rare Tracks" ("A collection of excellent unreleased tracks") was released in 2017 and he has an excellent 2018 successor ready in the form of 'Midnight Mojo Man'.

Dave Osti who lives in CA, has been around for years (read: since 1975) as a musician and singer-songwriter. That Osti is as good as a "one man rock machine" (he calls himself like that), we already know from previous reviews. He also plays "all instruments" again (read: guitar, bass & drums) and also takes care of the vocals. The new album features 10 original songs and 2 covers. On one track ("Be the Love") he could count on keyboard man Drake Shinning, who provided the necessary accents at B3. This album is solid blues rock & rock with a slight Americana vibe and with a lot of attention & detail at the guitars.

The following tracks are definitely on the album: the closing track & the title song "Midnight Mojo Man", "Bad Blood", "Pusha Man" (spiny groove), "Walk Before You Run" (excellent adaptation of the Kim Simmonds & Ian Ellis - Savoy Brown song), the melodic rock hard-leaning "Live Or Die Free", "River Dog" (with a Black Sabbath tempo), "Liar" (the Russ Ballard cover) and "Take the Heat Off" (which has a dynamic bluesy Americana feel).

'Midnight Mojo Man' the new album of the "one man rock machine" Dave Osti, is another excellent "retro heavy guitar rock disc" for all musical brothers and sisters from all over the world, who appreciate excellent blues-based guitar rock.

Eric Schuurmans / Rootstime (August 2018)
 

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Dirty Dave racks up another winner for Grooveyard Records. If you are fan you will love this cd. I think it might be his overall best one yet!!! If you aren’t familiar with DDO’s music then let me expound: I would describe it as heavy blues based rock. The riffs have a lot of meat to them and the guitar playing and solos show a fantastic guitar player. His vocals have a rough and gritty edge. However at times when needed he can be sweet and homey. He always has a knack for a great groove. As with his last cd, Dave also plays bass and drums. So he is a one man power trio. In the end you can’t go wrong in picking this up if you are a fan of heavy bluesy rock.

Gary Milligan / Amazon Review (December 2018)
 

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