Wheeling out a healthy dose of hard rock histrionics, Willie Basse returns from the shadows of session musicianship and studio ownership to release his new 14-track endeavor THE MONEY GRIND. Formerly fronting the Los Angeles mainstay Black Sheep (whose name he fortuitously sold to the rap band from the early ’90s), there’s no denying that Basse’s crunchy songs and powerful vocals rip it up with all of the pomp the ’80s dictated, sounding at times like a cross between Y&T and Bulletboys  (“Unloveable”, “Don’t Waste My Time”). While it’s a tough call to really tell if songs like the reggae-infused “Yesterdaze” will strike a chord with fans of his target audience, there’s enough material found on this disc to satisfy those who crave the big sound songs like “It’s Over” pump out. www.myspace.com/williebasse –Mike SOS