Following up on last year's critically hailed Not Getting Behind Is The New Getting Ahead, guitarist Charlie Hunter and drummer Scott Amendola return with 2013's Pucker, a lean and sinewy session marked by fierce grooves, caressing melodies, Introspective balladry, and startlingly intuitive interplay.  What's most impressive about Pucker is the range of moods and textures the duo creates. The album opens with 'Leave On,' a tribute to the late great Levon Helm that's almost intoxicated by its own high-stepping swagger. 'Scott's Tune,' the album's only non-Amendola track. Written by Amendola's grandfather, the late, highly regarded New York session guitarist Tony Guttuso, ended up as a loose and limber bluesy stroll powered by Amendola's graceful brush work. Pucker marks a milestone for Amendola and Hunter, who first played together 20 years ago.