Origin Records artist: Jared Hall - Influences - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Influences, by Jared Hall and it's really solid. Opening with Song For Shaw, influenced by the sounds of Woody Shaw is really hot with a percussive attack by Jared Hall on trumpet paired with John Bishop on drums. Rolling into a terrific groove framed by Michael Glynn on bass and Tal Cohen on piano, Hall really sets the pace with crisp, open-bell attack, Cohen taking his lead plays with exceptional vibrancy, and Bishop adds excellent accent. Glynn gets a turn and lays down a a strong bass solo followed by the vibrant drumming by Bishop.  Powerful opener. Quiet ballad, Dear Roy, a tribute to Roy Hargrove, has a rich melody with Hall leading the way. Cohen picks up on piano with an introspective feel, then back to Hall who carries the melody to the end with lush support of Cohen, Glynn and Bishop. Very nice. Let The Children Dance has a real nice Latin under beat structured by Glynn and Bishop. Hall blows a tight melody on trumpet with counter by Cohen on piano. His ensuing solo is flowing and inciteful adding great width to this track. Bishop gets the opportunity to dig in on this one and really produces a rigorous solo of his own. Gigi Gryce's up tempo, Minority, has an aggressively moving bottom giving Hall a solid platform to to shape the melody. Cohen again contributes a vibrant piano solo rolling back to Hall with an adventurous trumpet expansion before shifting back to it's classic melody. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Dream Steps, a more contemporary track with a more straight forward melodic approach. Hall sets the melody firmly over a light Latin rhythm anchored by Bishop and guided by Cohen and Glynn. Glynn shines with a solid bass solo floating on the rhythm of Bishop and in tandem with Cohen on piano. Solid closer. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: The Alexis P. Suter Band - Just Stay High - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Stay High from The Alexis P. Suter Band and it's terrific! Opening with God Gave Me The Blues, a powerful, slow blues, Alexis P. Suter really hits hard on this opener with her dynamite deep vocal style, over a steady bass line by Peter Bennett, keys by Will Bryant, Lee Falco on drums and soaring and dive bombing guitar soloing by song writer Jimmy Bennett. Excellent opener. Funky track, Breathe, written by bassist Byron Isaacs, has a solid groove giving Suter a solid platform for this heavy bottomed track. With Bryant on keys and Ray Grappone laying in just the right amount of aggressive drumming, this is a super track. Lumbering blues, Be On Your Way, framed by Bennett on bass, Bryant on keys and Falco on drums really plays to Suter's strong suit giving her a dark feel to really grind out the vocals and keyboard soloing by Bryant and tasty guitar soloing by Jimmy Bennett with excellent guitar phrasing and Buchanan like trem bending makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. David Bowie's pop rocker (written by Ron Davies), It Ain't Easy gets a spiritual rock rework with rich vocal backing by Vicki Bell and Peter Bennett. Suter's authoritative vocal lead really can't be beat and this track well demonstrates this. Again, tasty guitar styling by Jimmy B. adds great sting. Soulful ballad, Just Stay High, is a solid radio candidate with a super melody and lush backing vocals by Bell. Daniel Weiss on keys really pulls out the spiritual nature of the track and showcasing the wealth of Suter's voice. Leon Russell's masterpiece, Song For You is presented by Suter, backed only by Bryant. This is a terrific song and a hair raising presentation by Suter. Very very nice. Just sit and absorb... Wrapping the release is soul track, Piece of Clay with it's heavy spiritual overtones. Sutor has such a powerful voice and this track gives her license to let it out. Backed by Bennett on guitar, Peter Bennett on bass and backing vocals, Ray Grappone on drums, Daniel Weiss on keys and Vicki Bell on backing vocals. This is a great song and an excellent closer for an excellent release. 

  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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