Artist:     Hot Buttered Rum

Album:     The Kite and the Key

Label:     Self Released

Release Date:     03/25/2016

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The past year has seen three EPs from the Americana/bluegrass/folk quintet Hot Buttered Rum. Showing off their various inspirations and diversity, the EPs each enlisted a separate producer to give fans a new blend of their favorite Rum.

Part One was produced by Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth in July of 2015. Standouts from this section include the string-heavy songs “First Rodeo” and “You Be the Fiddle.”

In September 2015, Hot Buttered Rum recorded Part Two. These six tracks are a collection of classic bluegrass standards by Stanley Brothers. It was recorded and produced by Sally Van Meter. Hot Buttered Rum is largely influenced by bluegrass, so it’s hard to narrow down a standout track in this section.

Lastly, Part Three was produced by the String Cheese Incident’s Kyle Hollingsworth and recorded in November 2015. According to the band, this set of songs are the ones they would play for a late night set. The studio version of “Desert Rat” was worth the wait for HBR fans and a lot of fun.

This album collects all three EPs and is a must have for HBR fans indeed.

-Brenda Hillegas