Justin Time Records artist: Brent Johnson - Set The World On Fire - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Set The World On Fire, by Brent Johnson and it's a perfect match of pop, R&B, blues and guitar. Opening with Don't Make A Sound, Johnson establishes right up front that he means business. Simple straightforward solid song writing and clean instrumentation is the ticket on this release. A simple guitar rhythm with a funky back beat and thickness added through organ, make this a very cool track. On Meet Me In The Morning, Alvin Youngblood Hart joins in and a crunchy slide guitar permeates the track. Loose, back country blues guitar riffs set this easy paced "Crossroads" like track quite well. Nice! The Ticket is a high steppin two stepper with that rockin Chuck Berry rhythm. Fun, loosly played guitar riffs keep this track light but add a lot of spunk. Don't Take It With You has a driving R&B style and features cool bass work from Bill Blok. Wayne Lohr lays in a tasty keyboard solo and John Perkins is tight on the drums. So Glad You're Mine opens with a simple guitar riff leading into a R&B style that you might expect from Jimmy Hall. This is a humble track but one that is really quite memorable melodically. Long Way Back To New Orleans features louisiana's own, Sonny Landereth. Perkins gets the street snare cooking and Landreth lays down some really nice slide work. Very cool! Glass Ceiling has a nice funky groove and I haven't mentioned it yet but Johnson has a really solid voice. Wayne Lohr takes a nice organ ride on this track which leads to one of the hottest flat out guitar solo's by Johnson on the track. John Lee Hooker's Meet Me At The Bottom is the most straight forward contemporary blues rocker and I really like the grinding guitar tones on this one. Opening into a cool extended jam with AY Hart this is another particularly cool track. My favorite track on the release, a solid cover of As The Years Go Passing By, reinforces Johnson as both a vocalist and a serious blues guitar player. This 13 plus minute track gives Johnson a really nice opportunity to lay out some of the tastiest guitar work I've heard new for a while and shows a lot of passion. Lohr adds nice tension with organ and also plays a sweet piano solo. Excellent! The Hucklebuck, one of my favorite guitar boogies is up next and Johnson shows his versatility as a guitar player and throws smoke from the strings accompanied by a strong troop of players. Again excellent! The release finishes up with Set The World On Fire, a solid pop style closer with a lot of broad appeal. This release has a number of facets and I really enjoyed a lot of them. Check it out!

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Solomon King Riding The "Train" of Critic's Acclaim

                                                    

SOLOMON KING RIDING THE "TRAIN" OF CRITIC'S ACCLAIM

    Solomon King recently released his third album, Train. The 9-song disc "walks the line between love and lust, while celebrating getting on with one's life," says King, who wrote all the songs, performs lead vocals and most of the guitar parts on Train (along with noted L.A. session man, Johann Frank). Train is a follow-up to 2011's well-received Medicine. King's 2009 album Under The Sun was Grammy-nominated in the "Best Contemporary Blues Album" category and yielded two songs, "Jack Me Up" and "Frankie And Johnnie," featured in the first season of hit HBO TV series, "True Blood.”

"Blues musician Solomon King's new album Train is an ode to blues with a new sound. A polished and accomplished guitar player, singer, and songwriter. With Blues music being manifested and brought to life by such artists as Johnny Lang, Joe Bonamassa and Solomon King, the genre is destined to thrive for many years to come. 5 Stars (out of 5)".

                                  ATLANTA MUSIC EXAMINER

"Solomon King's Train is his best music so far - with great singing, strong songwriting, and a selfless maturity. Reminds me of early Dire Straits or The Band circa 'Music From Big Pink,' i.e. great music following an artistic vision all in service of each individual song."

                                SUNDAY NIGHT BLUES PROJECT

"On Train; Solomon King finds a way to stay true to a classic blues sound, but still manages to cross into other genres, widening his appeal. Not every musician can pull this off, but King succeeds with flying colors."                                       

                                                   ROCK OVER AMERICA

                                

"Train is a solid album from beginning to end. Solomon pays homage to traditional blues, but plays the Blues in a style all his own. With Solomon King, the Blues are in good hands!"

                                NATIONAL ROCK REVIEW

"King's emotive, story-telling lyrics and music harkens me back to the days of classic, soulful grooves straight out of Muscle Shoals. 'Slo Blues is an easy classic after-hours tune tastefully done with a nice slow-hand feel on the guitar playing. If you like singer-songwriter music that covers a gamut of musical stylings and leaves a lasting impression then I recommend Train for many listens."

                                                     GUITARZ FOREVER

"After listening to Train I must once again put this music into a category for which the term brilliant is first and foremost. Packed with truly great tunes from beginning to end. A really great album from one of the better singers, songwriters, and guitarists performing nowadays. Highly recommended."

                                     BLUES UNDERGROUND

"It doesn't take much of this album to see that Solomon king has a pretty firm grasp of the blues...from the slow burn of "Slo Blues" to the roots-rock of "Country Song," King shows he knows how to produce a groove with the guitar."

                                      OC MUSIC EXAMINER

"I just received the latest release Train from Solomon King and its quite good. Cool guitar riffs appear throughout. 'Bad To Me' has a blues rock beat with a nice back beat. 'Country Song' actually puts me in mind of a mellow version of Sweet Jane. If there's a radio track here, this is it!"

                                     BMANS BLUES REPORT

"There are those who simply play the blues and some people who have lived them and there dudes like Solomon King who have done both. Train is a tasty collection of blues that walk the line between love and lust and celebrate getting on with life."

                                                     ROCKWIRED MAGAZINE

"This Train is more powerful than any you might have ridden in the past and Solomon King is riding the rails high and proud. His mellow-toned voice and delicate yet distinctive guitar style is smooth and masterful."

                                 XOMBIEWOOF MAGAZINE

"Solomon King's diversity makes Train a special set, indeed...he revisits his South Central (L.A.) days with the scorching funk of "Bad To Me," and again with the thundering tones of the title cut."

                                     MOJOWORKINZZ

                            

    
                                               www.solomonkingmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solomon-King-Music-Inc

Virtue and Vice - Hornbuckle - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Virtue & Vice from Hornbuckle and it's an interesting, danceable, pop release with a solid mix and a bit of funk. Opening with Done Fooling Around, a slick sophisticated pop track with a really nice driving guitar vamp by Michael Hornbuckle and vocal harmonies with Briam Hornbucke. Alexander "Ace" Baker handles keys and excellent drumming from Lance Crane. Next up is Complicated, a reggae rhythm and a spoken rhythmic lead vocal. Very well written and again almost perfect guitar placement makes this funky reggae track very memorable. '59 Pontiac Hearse has a jazz/rock rhythm, again very lively and happy. A sprite guitar solo taking a wild turn in this track again is meticulously executed. Slave To The Benjamins has a new wave beat, somewhat like Blondie's Rapture. A nice bass intro from Brian and cool key work from Ace are prime on this track. Blue Note is a bluesy ballad with rich key work supporting strong vocals from Michael. A really sweet piano solo by Ace on this track is the standout. Lip has a country rock beat but with clean pop lyrics more of a mainstream track. Michael shows his knowledge of country style with a flashy country style guitar solo. Kathleen has a pure pop sound with only easy guitar and organ with simple handclap and harmony. Cool gospel pop like track. Ride Away is a straight out pop rocker with a little bit of bite and almost Mickey Thomas sound. Birds of a Feather has a bit of 80's flare with well placed vocals and well rounded instrumentals. One Foot In The Grave has a soft approach with vocal domination over light keys and percussion. With a bit of a ethereal feel the guitar work on this track is merely a cloud. Angels, Addicts, Poets and Thieves has a theatrical feel with an interesting guitar driven romp behind progressive key work and altered guitar riffs. Bad Company like vocals define the track. This track does break open shortly before the end with a very cool guitar solo. Moment In Time has a light "Smooth" Latin feel with acoustic guitars and nicely blended vocals. Santana like guitar riffs cap the track on the climax of the chorus. Remorse is a simple ballad and possibly one of the nicest tracks on the release. Acoustic guitar and vocal...simple as it gets. Knife In Your Hand is a romping rocker again with a Paul Rogers sound but with a little bit of a country rock feel. Brian lays out a pretty strong bass line on this track dictating the beat and Lance is tight and crisp on drums. Beautiful Rain is another poppy track with an almost Justin Timberlake feel. Solid dance track with smooth vocals and firm bottom. Virtue and Vice has that Delaney and Bonnie kind of feel but with a bit more polish. Hornbuckle has an excellent voice and Baker knows exactly how to compliment and when to take over. Michael again steps up with a clean and well articulated guitar solo on this track. If you like your music silky smooth and slick as silk... this may be your ticket. These guys are "tops" at what they do.

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Bad Brad & The Fat Cats - Take A Walk With Me - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Take A Walk With Me, by Bad Brad & The Fat Cats and it's a fire breathing blues monster! Opening with Texas style boogie and title track, Take A Walk With Me, Brad pulls out a little Elmore James action and gives it a modern flare for a ripping great opener. Leghound, another boogie track with a more understated attack features Nic Clark on harp and Alec Stivers on drums. This is a cool shuffle with a nice guitar solo to accompany Brads really nice vocals. Ego Trip sounds like a boogie from the John Lee Hooker song book. There's something about that classic Hooker sound that just makes a song cook. Harp player Greg MacKenzie adds icing to this already tasty track and Bad Brad not only understands the Hooker phrasing but also the boogie dynamics. Really nice! Take It Easy has a really sweet Texas lope along the lines of Mr Anson Funderburgh. A real foot stomper, this is a non stop riff dinner. Excellent. Going To The Country, really has the feel of the raw country blues and it's fast tempo especially due to the excellent drum work from Stivers. I'm glad that Brad doesn't need an excuse to lay it all out there because that he does and he certainly know what he's doing. Headin' Out maintains a little bit of that ragged edge but with the addition of Clark on harp and more sophisticated vocals of Bad Brad, this is a solid blues rocker. Lucky Man is that down and dirty slow blues that we all want to hear. Building slowly Brad uses his strong vocal accompanied by Clark on hark and light drumming by Stivers to set that table for the guitar fest. Brad has a super hand for phrasing and lays down some really nice screaming riffs contrasted by genuine feeling. Again, excellent! Other Side opens with Stivers laying down a New Orleans march beat. Brad takes control of the track immediately with super strong vocals. Understated slide guitar work adds a nice texture to this track as does some really cool finger picked riffs. Runnin' Me Down is a nice Chicago style blues shuffle. A really solid groove develops between Brad and Alec Stivers and Clark is right there with an understated cool harp solo. See My Way features Dwight Carrier on accordion and the track has a cajun feel to it. Man On The Move is a driving shuffle with a cool guitar over riff. This is another really strong track with Brad taking advantage of a really nice setting to again rip some really nice guitar riffs. Train Down South is another quick tempo track with train style drums rattling the rails. Brad again steps forward showing his guitar chops and certain dexterity. This is another super track and ready to put in the car for a long drive. Wrapping the release is UMA. Youu'd think that someone actually reads my reviews... a surf rocker! Yeah... this is a great track with with a mixture of Texas blues, California surf and 60's rock for just a perfect combo to pack it in. I really enjoyed reviewing this release and I suggest that if you think that you may enjoy this from my review... you likely will love it!

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California Breed release video for "Midnight Oil"

 

FEATURING LEGENDARY VOCALIST-BASSIST GLENN HUGHES,
DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE JASON BONHAM AND
23-YEAR-OLD NEWCOMER GUITARIST-SINGER-SONGWRITER ANDREW WATT
SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM RELEASED BY FRONTIERS RECORDS
UK RELEASE: MONDAY MAY 19, 2014
AVAILABLE ON CD AND CD/DVD DELUXE EDITION

Power Trio release animated video for their new single, "Midnight Oil"

Think of California and you think of brilliant color and bright sunlight. Think of a breed and it's all about bloodlines and brotherhood. Put the two together as CALIFORNIA BREED, and you have the most exciting new band of 2014, built around the foundation of legendary vocalist-bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer extraordinaire Jason Bonham and 23-year-old newcomer guitarist-singer Andrew Watt.
Mixing massive riffs, gutsy vocals and gale force rhythms, this powerful three-piece band will release their self-titled debut album in the UK on Monday May 19th on Frontiers Records. The album is produced by Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Rival Sons, Lindi Ortega, Shooter Jennings).
Look out for future announcements on the band at www.californiabreed.com.

CALIFORNIA BREED (L-R): Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Andrew Watt.
Photo Credit: © Joe Lester

CALIFORNIA BREED was recorded at Cobb’s Nashville studio and features equal co-writing credits among the three-man lineup. "It’s proper rock," Hughes told Classic Rock Magazine - "but at the same time it’s very now. Andrew is as influenced by Mick Ronson as he is Jimmy Page."
"This kid is an amazing guitarist," says Bonham. "The first time we met I thought he looked like the white Jimi Hendrix. He plays in the studio likes he’s onstage!"
Glenn Hughes, nicknamed The Voice of Rock, is a true original, a legendary icon whose credits include Deep Purple and guesting with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind & Fire, and his most recent collaboration with rock supergroup Black Country Communion.

Album artwork for CALIFORNIA BREED’s eponymous debut album

No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes' calling card.
The legacy of Led Zeppelin lives on in Jason Bonham, British drummer and son of Zep's legendary John Bonham. He has inherited the best of his father's skills while mastering his own distinctive and dynamic technique. Jason has followed his own distinctive path over the years, fronting his own successful outfits like Bonham, and playing with Led Zeppelin, Foreigner, Heart and, most recently, movie composer Hans Zimmer.
Andrew Watt is a soulful singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose high-energy aggressive style and creative spirit are synonymous with the energy and vibe of New York City.
"I live in the moment, it’s all about now," says Hughes. "California Breed is exactly where I live, breathe and where my freak flag flies."

California Breed - Official Biography

Glenn Hughes has spent the subsequent years working with the biggest legends in music, as a solo star, and guesting with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind & Fire – up to his most recent collaboration in rock supergroup Black Country Communion, which included Jason Bonham.
When Black Country Communion disbanded Hughes and Bonham had a strong desire to keep playing together. They're only challenge was finding a new guitarist worthy of their musicality.
Easier said than done for these stars, who between them, have worked with some of the greatest guitarists in history, including Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and Joe Bonamassa, to name just a few.
Fate took a hand in things when Glenn’s friend Julian Lennon introduced him to the astounding talents of a New York City hotshot guitarist named Andrew Watt. "Literally, the first day me and Andrew got together we wrote two songs," recalls Hughes. "One was ‘Chemical Rain’ and the other was ‘Solo’, both featured on the new album. I was so moved by the music, I said, ‘We’ve got to record this!’ That’s when I called Jason."
Cut to autumn 2013. Recording with producer Dave Cobb at his studio in Nashville, added all the finishing touches, says Hughes. At Cobb’s insistence, every vocal was recorded live as the band was playing. "Totally the reverse of what I’m used to," says Hughes. "I went into that aggressive rock soulfulness and everything down to the whispers, it was all done live! I enjoyed myself so much, just going for it. For a three-piece, the sheer range of sounds and melodies you get from California Breed are breathtaking."

CALIFORNIA BREED - ONLINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

Delta Groove & Eclecto Groove April Releases

WEBSITE    STORE    CONTACT

Delta Groove Music & Eclecto Groove Records April Releases We are happy to announce that Delta Groove Music & Eclecto Groove Records have 3 new albums releasing on April 15th 2014 which are available to purchase at multiple outlets worldwide or directly through our online store. If you are a fan of Delta Groove or Eclecto Groove then you might be familiar with a couple of these releases already. But if you aren't be sure to follow the links and you will be taken to our online store where you can stream the songs and purchase the album. Bob Corritore - Taboo Click Here To Listen And Order Terry Hanck - Gotta Bring It On Home To You Click Here To Listen And Order Shane Dwight - This House Click Here To Listen And Order

Tommy Malone On Mt. Stage, On Canvas & More

Tommy Malone Featured On WHYY's "On Canvas" Recording Mountain Stage This Weekend On WYEP's Live & Direct  April 14 Tommy's 2nd Release for M.C. "Poor Boy" Coming April 29 Northport N.Y. - Tommy Malone is having a busy week! On Thursday April 10 he'll be the featured artist on the award winning television program On Canvas. The show airs via WHYY in Philadelphia at 10PM on Thursdays and Noon on Sundays. Lots of great live performances and interviews. Click here to preview Tommy performing "Time To Move On" from his April 29 release Poor Boy. This Sunday, Tommy heads to West Virginia to record a performance for the syndicated radio program "Mountain Stage." On the bill with Tommy is Keb Mo, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Joan Osborne. You can stream the show at mountainstage.org starting at 7PM Eastern time. Click here to get more info. On Monday, April 14 Tommy will pay a visit to the wonderfully eclectic radio station WYEP in Pittsburgh. He'll be performing on their "Live and Direct Sessions." Not in Pittsburgh? You can stream the show via their website. Here's the link for the program, http://www.wyep.org/live-direct-sessions. On April 29 M.C. Records will release his second solo effort for the label, Poor Boy (MC-0076).  Tommy co-produced the recording with his longtime musical friend Ray Ganucheau in New Orleans. Ray was the engineer for the Subdudes' "Primitive Streak" and Tommy's first solo recording, "Soul Heavy." Poor Boy features Tommy's unique songwriting that bleeds true Americana. The one amazing exception is Tommy covering Stevie Wonder's "Big Brother." M.C. Records is proud to announce that Tommy Malone's second effort for for the label, Poor Boy is available for digital download and listening. The first 11 songs are from Poor Boy , the next 12 are from his 2013 release, "Natural Born Days." Click the link to check it out! Tommy Malone is not only one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, he’s a superb guitarist and a magnificent vocalist who animates every corner of his compositions. Over the past 40 years Malone has been at the center of some of the most storied and often star-crossed bands in Louisiana history, beginning with the family band formed with two of his brothers, Dustwoofie. Malone went on to help develop the eccentric songwriters’ collective the Continental Drifters before becoming a charter member of the still-beloved subdudes. Along the way he played in the well regarded one-off groups Tiny Town and Monkey Ranch as well as in a duo with his older brother Dave from the Radiators, the Malone Brothers. Poor Boy will mark the third solo recording in his storied career. Tommy Malone has a bunch of dates solo and with the Subdudes. Tommy Malone on Tour! For Bookings contact  - Kyle Day - kyle@sweetwinegroup.com Apr. 12 - French Quarter Festival - New Orleans, LA Apr. 13 -Mountain Stage Taping - Wheeling WV Apr. 15 - Live & Direct Sessions - WYEP, Pittsburgh PA May 1  - An Evening With Subdudes- House of Blues, New Orleans, LA May 3 -  2:00 PM - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 9 - Soiled Dove Underground - Denver CO May 29 - An Evening With Subdudes- Pabst Theater, Milwaukee WI May 30 - An Evening With Subdudes-House of Blues - Chicago IL Jun. 25 - An Evening With Subdudes-Birchmere- Alexandria VA Jun. 26 - An Evening With Subdudes- - Rams Head - Annapolis MD Jun. 27 - An Evening With Subdudes - Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA Jun. 28 - An Evening With Subdudes - World Cafe Live, Wilmington DE Jul. 24 - An Evening With Subdudes- B.B. Kings, NYC Jul. 25  - An Evening With Subdudes-The Boulton Center - Bayshore NY Sept. 14 - American River Music Festival - Lotus CA

Get Some 'April Blues' at Harvelle's with Larry "Fuzzy" Knight's Blowin' Smoke R&B Revue

            

                                                  On Saturday, April 19,

GET SOME 'APRIL BLUES' AT  HARVELLE'S W/ LARRY "FUZZY" KNIGHT'S    BLOWIN' SMOKE R&B REVUE FEATURING "THE FABULOUS SMOKETTES"

Santa Monica's Hottest Monthly R&B/Blues/Soul Dance Party For 2 Decades!

   (Santa Monica, CA) - Those in the know are definitely down with Santa Monica's hottest monthly R&B/Blues/Soul dance party - that being Larry "Fuzzy" Knight's Blowin' Smoke R&B Revue featuring the Fabulous Smokettes, in concert for your listening and dancing pleasure at Harvelle's, Saturday, April 19. Showtime 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Admission $10. Harvelle's is located at 1432 S. 4th St., in Santa Monica. Info: (310) 395-1976 or https://www.facebook.com/harvelles?fref=ts.

  Find out for yourself why the Blowin' Smoke R&B Revue were voted by MUSIC CONNECTION magazine as a "Hot 100 Live Artist for 2013" in their year-end issue, topping several thousand bands around the United States that vie for that yearly honor.
   

   Music Connection reviewer Tim Reid Jr. writes, "(bandleader Fuzzy) Knight must know a thing or two about putting the right pieces in place to make a show, as he has done in this case. Even with a couple of subs in the horn section, the clear fact is that Knight is going to present true professionals whenever Blowin' Smoke takes the stand. Knight himself is a quality bass player and bluesy singer with an almost grittier Randy Newman kind of sound. The Fabulous Smokettes live up to their name - working the harmonies and each singer knowing how to take the spotlight when it hits. "Fuzzy" Knight reminds all of us in the modern technological era that real people with real instruments and real personalities playing music that hits the gut and forces the knees to bend...it makes one happy to be alive and in the community of other living people."

"Cross Soul Train with American Bandstand and you get a good idea

of what a Blowin' Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue show is like!"  

   For nearly two decades, Blues/R&B/Soul group Blowin' Smoke has been one of the most in-demand, successful bands on the Southern California live music circuit. Front and center in Blowin' Smoke is its creator, bandleader/bassist/vocalist, Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - whose impressive musical resume' includes a decade-plus stint as bassist for one of the great SoCal bands to emerge from the psychedelic era of the Sixties, Spirit.  Knight has also recently launched a new band project, Sky King, featuring some top-name musicians, all the while keeping Blowin' Smoke going strong. 

  Here's Blowin' Smoke performing Aretha Franklin's "Something's Gold A Hold On Me" recently at Harvelle's. 

         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4215955879633

                            www.blowinsmokeband.com

         https://www.facebook.com/blowinsmokeband?fref=ts

Beyond The Blues Horizon - CD Review (BMans Blues Report)

Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - Interview (Orange County Blues Society)

Blowin' Smoke - Live Show Review (Music Connection)