Eric Bibb – Just Like Love / Opus 3 Records

After Eric Bibb left Opus 3 Records in 1997 following the recording of “Good Stuff,” he recorded two studio albums and one live album for other labels. However, he remained on friendly terms with mastermind Jan-Eric Persson.

Since Bibb had particularly fond memories of the relaxed working atmosphere during the production of the Swedish label's last two albums (“That's really me!”), preparations for the production of a new album on Opus 3 began at

the end of 1999. Only four sessions were needed to record all the material for “Just Like Love.” Jan-Eric Persson says he has rarely experienced such an inspired production. Two songs were actually written the night before the

respective recording sessions. “Just Like Love” differs from the more gospel-oriented “Spirit And The Blues” and the classic blues album “Good Stuff.” Eric Bibb focuses here on storytelling and presents an exquisite singer-songwriter

album of great intimacy – here is an artist who seems to be at peace with himself and the world! He is accompanied by almost all the musicians from his former band “Needed Time,” most of whom are also known as “Tiny Island” and

have released a great instrumental album of the same name on Opus 3. Except for three of his favorite traditional songs, all the other songs on “Just Like Love” were penned by Eric Bibb.

“There are a number of artists who place particular emphasis on the sound quality of their work. Eric Bibb is one of them, as the quality of his releases reaches a level that could tempt you to buy them sight unseen. And musically, everything

is once again just right on “Just like Love,” as Bibb remains true to his “blues meets country” style and to producer and sound engineer Jan-Eric Persson—while maintaining his songwriting talent” (Udo Pipper, STEREO 1/2001).

The LP (180-gram vinyl, 33 RPM), which boasts outstanding sound quality, was pressed by Optimal Media. Andreas “Lupo” Lubich (Calyx Mastering, Berlin) is responsible for the lacquer disc cutting.

MUSICIANS

Eric Bibb: guitar, vocals
Janne Petersson: accordion, piano, melodica, kalimba 
Olle Eriksson: double bass
Levi B. Saunders: banjo
Christer Lyssarides: mandolin, mandola, guitar 
Big Walker: harmonica
Bo Juhlin: sousaphone 

Opus 3 is an independent Swedish music label dedicated to recording timeless acoustic music such as jazz, blues, folk and classical. Founded in late 1976 by sound engineer Jan-Eric Persson, the label has made it its mission to reproduce voices

and instruments as naturally as possible. To achieve this, Opus 3 selects recording environments with good natural. The label's recording techniques were developed specifically for acoustic music and were originally based on the use of tube gear

and “Blumlein” miking. In 2001, Opus 3 switched to digital eight-track technology and later to 16 channels – in the brand-new mixing and mastering studio designed and set up by Sweden's leading acoustic engineer Lennart Nilsson to mark the label's

30th anniversary. Apart from a few digital intermediate steps all processing is still done exclusively analog.

We recommend the use of "L'Art du Son" LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Title

Side A

1. Wrapped Up In Her Arms
2. My Charleston Dream
3. Dear John 
4. Just Like Love
5. She's Still With Me
6. I Wanna Be Ready
7. Katri's Kindness
8. Get It While It's Hot
9. Home In That Rock

Side B

1. Forever Ago 
12. Deep Sea Blues 
3. Sail Away Ladies
4. All Your Sweatness
5. Rock Island Rocket
6. Marley's Mood 
7. That's Why I'm Here
8. Prayin'