VizzTone Label Group artist: Ben Levin - Before Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Before Me, by Ben Levin and it's really cool. Opening with Big Bill Broonzy's I Feel So Good, Ben Levin shows how it should be done as a leader on piano and lead vocals. With perfect dynamics and a great team featuring strong lead guitar work by Bon Margolin, and Bob Corritore on harmonica, this track is tight. Backing this star front line is Aron Levin on guitar, Chris Douglas on bass and Oscar Bonal on drums. Super opener. On Freddie King's instrumental, This Morning, Margolin and Corritore lay down really nice solos complimenting Levin's own solo and the tight drum work by Bernal. Excellent! On Confessin' The Blues, Levin shows some of his best vocals on the release. His style is crisp and his style is smooth. Corritore just lays back in the seat on his solo and his tone is excellent. Margolin's guitar solo is smooth and has great feel. Title track, Before Me has really nice New Orleans style blues lines and again super vocals over a Fats Domino kind of feel. Aron Levin's guitar touch on this track is particularly fine. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slow blues, So Soon, giving Ben a great opportunity to really dig in on piano. His vocals are really nice with real style. Excellent! James Cotton's Lightnin' is up next with Corritore taking the lead. His tone and feel are perfect and get Margolin revved up to one of his loosest and most enjoyable solos on the release. Ben finishes it off in concert with Corritore and Margolin. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an instrumental jam, Open Late, cooked up by Levin, Corritore and Margolin. Levin's piano style is so thick in blues you have a hard time believing that he isn't from 40's or 50's Chicago. Setting the framework for Margolin and Corritore, this is a real nice smoky closer for a solid release.

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Arsen Shomakhov - Rain City Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release Rain City Blues by Arsen Shomakhov and I really like it. Opening with a real nice blues track, Full-Time Lover with a strong swagger, Arsen Shomakhov sets the pace with his strong vocal and guitar work. With Kid Andersen on bass, Alexander Pettersen on drums and featuring Aki Kumar on harmonica, this is a super opener. Charged up, No More! is a great rock n' roller with Andersen on piano and harmony vocals. Excellent! Taken down a notch, Women and Whiskey has a great feel. With a loping rhythm, stylish guitar and solid B3 playing by Andersen, it's one of my top choices. Instrumental guitar shuffle is really slick with a thorough workout on guitar with tight rhythm by Pettersen. Boogaloo! is another favorite with funky bass and key work by Andersen. Get ready to dance! New Orleans flavored Sitting On A Fence is a cool jazzy track with nicely blended vocals and snappy drum work by June Core. Shomakhov's vocals are real cool and his guitar playing crisp. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a country flavored instrumental, Hello Little Bird with Shomakhov alternating between picking and slide with a droning note. It has a really cool sound and is a great closer.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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