Mike Barnett plays music that crosses over between soul jazz and blues. Long a part of the New York City blues circuit, in recent years he has concentrated more on jazz while not discarding his blues heritage.
            Joined by Ken Kresge on keyboards (often emulating an organ), drummer Butch Bateman and percussionist Nydia “Liberty” Mata, the guitarist performs a wide ranging set that includes “Chameleon,” “Danny Boy,” Grant Green’s “Iron City” and “Fever” plus four of his own bluesy originals. The other musicians play well but the guitarist is mostly in the spotlight, ranging in style from early George Benson to B.B. King. He not only has the ability to turn everything into the blues (including “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”) but a knack for playing chorus after chorus without repeating himself.
            A tasteful, swinging and grooving set.
                                                                                    Scott Yanow
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Mike Barnett is a veteran jazz and blues guitarist who has performed throughout Long Island for more than two decades.He is also the owner and proprietor of Michaels Music, a popular music store in Freeport N.Y.
 One would assume since such chestnuts as Herbie Hancock's "Chamelion"and the famous Irish song"Danny Boy"are included here,would be just a typical cover album from an unfocused artist but think again;Barnett is clearly one of the most acomplished guitarists in Long Island music history, and this diverse tasty album gives him a chance to shine in a variety of genres and styles.Ably backed by keyboardist Ken Kreske,drummer Butch Bateman,and percussionist Nydia Mata,Barnett rolls from rock to blues to swing to cool jazz without  missing a beat.Highlights include the original songs" My Sweet Linda,and Blues for Little Buster"(the album is dedicated to one of the area's legends "l
Little Buster Forehand of Little Buster and the Soul Brothers),great takes on Hancock's tune and the unlikely cover of "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise"an Oscar Hammerstein classic.This is one of those rare area releases where there isn't  a bad note on the entire album;Barnett can obviously play just about anything,and unlike most guitarists in this area,taste and skill rule the roost.His smooth,expert playing is on a par with virtually any major label jazz guitarist.
REPRINTED FROM GOOD TIMES MAGAZINE APRIL11-MAY25 2009
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This CD is full of nice groovin’ and passionately playing. Mike Barnett is doing great guitar work and he seems to be really playing from the bottom of his heart. Actually the whole band is full of great musicians. I liked the most Mike’s 
own tunes like Bay Blues and very touching blues for Little Buster. But there’s also great covers like glorious ‘Danny Boy’ and really groovin’ Iron City’ with great organs.
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THUMBS UP ON THIS CD.The first time I heard MIKE BARNETT play,I knew he had something special.When you speak of grooves,this CD grooves all the way.I tip my hat to all the marvelous musicians.I love all the tunes, but two in particular blew me away.CHAMELEON and DANNY BOY.The groove on CHAMELEON is so strong it would make a man with no legs want to do the JAMES BROWN!If MIKE BARNETT should travel abroad to Ireland and play his rendition of Danny Boy,I know he would get the red carpet treatment and be treated like royalty.
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