Album Notes

"He’s taking the harmonica to a whole new level that was previously only dreamed of.
There’s never a dull moment on Mongrel Mash. In fact, you will find more to enjoy every time you plug it in."
Graham Clarke
http://www.bluesbytes.net/
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Toronto Star - Toronto, ON
"DEL JUNCO HARPS ON VARIETY, AND MORE"
"It's not likely that you'll ever hear the harmonica played so well and in so many different ways than at the hands of Cuban-born Torontonian. But what makes his album an especial treat is the sheer let's-do-it positive energy that radiates from the eclectic collection of nine tracks. Mongrel Mash refers to the crazy mix of styles, ranging from deep, heavy-duty blues-rock ("Mojo") to Herb Alpert's slightly cheesy "Slick," and jivin' "Lil' Laptop" to sweet, rootsy ballad "The Field," which arrives via languid dobro set-up. Del Junco may be the headliner, but the songs and arrangements shine the light on an excellent band of equals who all get some time in the sonic spotlight. There is something here to put a smile on anyone's face - and it only gets better with each listen. My favourite: Del Junco's own "My Favourite Uncle," a gently hip-swinging sweep down Louisiana way."
4 out of 4 stars - John Terauds
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By David Maine 30 August 2011
Harmonica wizard casts a spell

"How insane do you like your harmonica? Just a little bit nuts? Moderately disturbed? Or flat-out over-the-top? Well, if you fall into that third category, this might be the record for you. Carlos del Junco, considered by some as the greatest harmonica player in the world, has assembled a record uniquely suited to showing off his impressive chops. Far from being a straightforward blues album, del Junco’s band brings a jittery, jazzy, time-signature-shredding, world-music-evoking sensibility to the set. In other words, if you’re looking for something low-impact and tame, this probably isn’t the album to reach for.

One the other hand, if you’re in the mood for a little sonic variety—okay, whole wagonloads of sonic variety—this will do nicely. From the stop-and-start rhythms of instrumental opener “The Crazy Bastard” to the high-octane “Mojo” (a reworking of “I Got My Mojo Working”), from the mournful opening wails of “Heddon Tadpolly Spook”—don’t ask—to the closing bars of the Latin-jazz-inflected “Mariachi”, del Junco and his band appear allergic to doing anything twice. For listeners whose idea of harmonica remains rooted in 12-bar blues, this record will be a revelation—what Bela Fleck has done for banjo, Carlos del Junco is doing for harmonica." 7 out of 10 stars