Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Origin Records artist: Barry Greene - Giants - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Giants, from Barry Greene and it's killer. Opening with Lonnie Smith's, Backtrack, Barry Greene really picked a smart track with a solid blues base. Excellent guitar work by Greene illustrates the body of the composition with a smart B3 solo by Pat Bianchi and hot and heavy drum work by Ulysses Owens Jr. Excellent opener. Grant Green's Green Street is up next with Bianchi setting the background on B3 and Owens Jr on drums. Greene on guitar really has a nice hand trading lead phrases with Bianchi on this Latin infused number. Wes Montgomery's fleet footed, SOS really hums along with Green taking the lead on guitar and David Kikoski really chasing on piano. Owens Jr. drum work is light and tight with Marco Panascia on bass and Steve Nelson on vibes is spot on with Kikoski really working the 88's over. Wow! Greene original, In Her Room, is a solid blues opening with duet with Nelson on vibes. Kikoski's piano is always at the ready for elegant punctuation on piano and Panascia on bass contributes nicely. Strolling nicely on solo guitar, Greene really squeezes the blues out of the strings with beautiful spiritual like chords for the piano by Kikoski and perfect punctuation by Owens Jr. on drums. Very very nice. Wrapping the release is Pat Martino's El Hombre. Greene takes the master's wrk and illustrates it like it's his own. With light Latin flavor by Owens Jr. on drums, and warm punctuation by Bianchi on B3 Greene literally sails. An energetic, Latin salted B3 solo by Bianchi really hits the spot but it's the crisp articulation of Greene that floats this boat. Masterful!

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Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Zac Harmon & The Drive - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from Zac Harmon & The Drive and it's super! Opening with soulful, NTRO, Nate Robinson on bass and Gino Iglehart on drums set a solid foundation, with Corey Lacy building on keys and lush guitar work by Zac Harmon and Kingston Livingston really setting the bar. Terrific opener. Blue Pill Thrill has super movement and soulful vocals by Harmon. Lacy on keys works the rhythm with Robinson and Iglehart and Livingston and and Harmon play stinging riffs on guitar really giving this track some kick. Deep blues track, Feet Back On The Ground features Albert King like stinging riffs and super soulful vocals by Harmon. Keeping the music floor low allows Harmon plenty of space to go dynamically from soft to wow quickly adding real emotion to the track. Excellent! Boogie Down is a strong jam with a firm piano base by Lacy giving Harmon plenty of headroom for vocal corralling. Lacy lays in some real tasty keyboard work before Harmon rolls the party James Brown style. Another slow blues, Little Blue Bird, really has some hot guitar work punched up by Lio Saenz Jr on horns and super drumming by Iglehart. Smoking. Wrapping the release is R&B style, Slide, with a real radio feel. Fluid guitar lead by Livingston and Saenz Jr.'s horn work under the silky smooth vocals of Harmon make this a super closer.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

deelagee Records artist: Denise La Grassa - A Crossroads Communion - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Crossroads Communion, from Denise La Grassa, and it's a hard driving blues rocker. Opening with Big Bad Dream, Timothy Walker sets a high pace rhythm with Alvin Santner on guitar and Steven C. Manns on bass setting the stage for Denice La Grassa on vocal. Pounding opener. Bluesy, Who Will Mourn You?, has a lumbering feel with a prominant bass line by Manns and super overdriven guitar by John Kregor a blues soaked vocals by La Grassa. I'll Play The Blues For You is my favorite track on the release with LaGrassa sharing the mic with Manns and the addition of Pierre Lacocque on harmonica and dome really nice guitar work from Santner. Wrapping the release is rocker, Go Bad Mouth Yourself with it's cool drum rhythm and La Grassa adding contrasting organ to her own vocals and funky guitar work by Santner.

Monday, June 22, 2026

Dida Pelled - I Wish You Would - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Wish You Would, by Dida Pelled and I really like it. Opening with John Lee Hooker's Dimples, Dida Pelled leads the way on vocal and guitar. Taking this classic blues track and adding a kick, Dida not only sings the vocals but gives the guitar a total jazz twist with fluid lead and soloing. With Sullivan Fortner on piano, Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums, this is a strong opener. Clarence Williams' Sister Kate has a prohibition era feel with a twist of New Orleans thanks too Wollesen and Fortner and Pelled's own guitar style is bluesy and inviting. Excellent. Mary Lou Williams' Rosa Mae, and a real nice bass line giving the track a solid sub rhythm reinforced by Wollensen on drums. Pelled has the lead on guitar and she's not messing around with excellent guitar chords and bluesy phrasing nicely woven with Fortner on Rhodes piano. Lonnie Chatmon's classic, Sitting On Top Of The World, has a real nice easy pace to it with Pelled's vocals being highlighted by rich jazzy chords in blues phrasing. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Gladys Shelley's, Trouble. This is a sold ballad with easy guitar accompaniment and nicely styled vocals. Pelled put together a really nice set here. Check it out. I think you'll enjoy the change.

Friday, June 19, 2026

Sledgehammer Blues artist: Joe Krown Trio +1 featuring Papa Mali - Qualified - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Qualified, by Joe Krown Trio +1 featuring Papa Mali and it's strong. Opening with Dr. John's, Qualified, Joe Krown on piano with Papa Mali on guitar and lead vocals really create a ruckus. Casandra Faulconer on bass nicely augments the excellent rhythm work of Eric Bolivar on drums. Excellent opener. Driving piano blues, Mess Around, anchored by Krown on piano also features some super work by Jason Mingledorff on bari sax and Mali wails on guitar giving the track a nice edge. Allen Toussant's funky, Going Down, has a great back beat emphasized by Bolivar on drums and Krown rides high on organ. Another funky treat is Papa Mali's Neckbone with a super funky guitar rhythm with a killer warm organ saturation and a snappy bottom by Faulconer and Bolivar. Mali original, Honey Bee, has a cool, bluesy feel with great trombone work by Mark Mullins and a strong piano solo by Krown. Wrapping the release is Toussaint's, Last Train, with it's poppy light feel featuring Mali on vocal and bouncy piano work by Krown. Very solid release with lot's of New Orleans vibe.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

MoMojo Records artist: Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen - Come To Me - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Come To Me, from Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen and it has a cool groove. Opening with No Delusion, a slinky track with a well woven rhythm backing, Jill Dineen on vocal really holds tight on the reins. Carmen Ratti on rhythm and lead guitar adds tome distinctive riffs feeding Tony Lufrano on keys, Steve Hazelwood on bass and Randy Hayes on drums. Super opener. Bluesy ballad and title track, Come To Me, is a nice showcase for Dineen on lead vocal and Ratti's soulful guitar phrasing drips blues. Organ saturation by Lufrano and solid backing vocals by Lisa Leuschner Andersen adds just the right juice. Riley is real nice instrumental (think Thrill Is Gone) with Ratti laying out the melody with crisp, clear, electric guitar work and Lufrano's organ solo is warm and inviting with a great bass lead by Hazlewood. Really cool track. Blues rocker, Coming Down, has a super funky rocking sound with great lead vocals and nice funky guitar/bass synergy. Lufano turns up the heat on organ and adds backing vocals, Ratti adds some stinging guitar lead and Hayes rhythm is straight and tight. Uncle Joe is a real interesting interesting track featuring Ratti leading the way on slide guitar. With it's hard bop feel and Derek Trucks influenced guitar styling combined with real nice piano work by Lufrano, this is a strong addition to the already solid set. Wrapping the release is down and dirty, Pretty Good Man and Dineen really digging in vocally. Hazlewood and Hayes really cut a solid groove and Lufrano works his piano hard against his organ. I really like how Ratti really hammers his guitar on this track showing real fire. Very nice. There is an extended version of Come To Me which is really nicely done and a super addition to the set.

I should really say, I don't think I've ever reviewed a Greaseland Studios recording that didn't have special sauce... Nice job Kid.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Blue Sky Tunes artist: Mike Guldin - While I Can - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, While I Can, by Mike Guldin and it really hit's the spot. Opening with Driving Rain, Mike Guldin is upfront on vocal and guitar and this track really has a great groove. Guldin's vocals are soulful and with Steve Mackey on bass and Lynn Williams on drums the strut is heavy. Kevin McKendree really works the organ providing a great back beat and Guldin and James Pennebaker play some stinging riffs making this first track worth the price of admission. Excellent! Rocker, Always A Woman has a cool Latin beat, reinforced by a driving rhythm guitar layer. Guldin was made to sing this music with his natural delivery and Pennebaker really rips it lose on guitar with snappy drum work by Williams. A cool stroll, When The Bills Come Due, has a stiff cowbell strike over Mackey on bass. Gulden on guitar and vocal, and McKendree on keys give legs to this swampy rocker. Don Williams' New Orleans flavored, Oh Lonesome Me, really is moving with great vocal harmonizing by Guldin and Jackie Wilson. Billy Wear on drums and McKendree on keys and piano set a great pace and stinging guitar work make this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is rag time, Down The Hatch with Guldin on vocal over nicely stylized piano work by McKendree and crisp guitar riffs ice this rich cake. Excellent closer.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

OA2 Records artist: Andrew Moorhead - Mirage - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mirage, from Andrew Moorhead and it's intense. Opening with Faster Etude, Andrew Moorhead on piano creates a thematic melody, altering and varying the speed of it, accompanied by Francois Moutin on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. With an alteration of the piano accent in the phrase the track has a circular feel and seems to whirl. Intervals is structured along a similar method but with four primary chords, altered with a solid hi hat rhythm and percussive piano under the initial melody. As the track grown the phrasing alternates giving it a refined feel with tight snare work driving the contrast. Very cool. Title track, Mirage, has a smooth, soothing melody with a bouncy drum rhythm and bass accents. A higher keyboard flirtation sets the track off nicely against it's lower keyboard primary melody. Wrapping the release is Boogie, with it's strong boogie piano format. An off timed melody provides a stark contrast against the base rudiment. As the track matures, the boogie baseline is reduced into the background and the melody takes the front with emphasis by Moutin and Hoenig. Very interesting closer.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Qualified Records artist: Seth James - Motormouth - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Motormouth, from Seth James and it's terrific! Opening with Why Should I Suffer, vocalist extraordinaire, Seth James, creates a great vibe with his rich, R&B style vocal lead and his own lead guitar work, joined by Kevin McKendree on keys, Rob McNelley on guitar, Steve Mackey on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and super backing vocals by Alice Spencer and Etta Britt and and punchy horn work by Jim Hoke on sax, Steve HHermann on trumpet and John Hinchey on trombone. Excellent! Soulful, I'm In Trouble has a great, slinky feel with James, Spencer, Britt and Jackie Wilson really working the vocals and featuring McKendree on piano. Hoke, Herrmann and Hinchey keep the back hopping and Mackey and Williams the bottom tight. Super. Country swing track, I'll Be Gone, has a great feel with excellent lead vocals by James and excellent piano work by Jeff Taylor. Eddie Dunlop on steel guitar gives the track real sting and fiddle work by Joe Spivey, Kenny Spears and Larry Franklin, Andy Reiss and Doug Green on guitars, Brad Albin on bass and Billy Thomas really make this track shine. James is joined by Delbert McClinton on lead vocal on I Can't Wait. A straight up radio track featuring Jim Hoke on accordion and McKendree on piano this is a cool track. McNelley plays some cool baritone guitar in the lowest octave adding just that extra grease to an already greasy track. Funky, Lonely Avenue has great swagger with crisp lead vocals by James and strong backing vocals by Spencer, Wilson and Britt. A thumping bass, solid lead guitar and punchy trumpet work by Herrmann really gives this track edge. Wrapping the release is kicked back, Start A Brand New Day featuring James on lead vocal and warm backing by Green on archtop guitar, Taylor on piano, Franklin, Spivey and Sears on fiddle, Dunlop on steel guitar, Albin on bass and Thomas on drums. Rich closer for a really potent release.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Treated and Released Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - Blues & Spirituals/Hymn Hustler - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues & Spirituals/Hymn Hustler, by Reverend Freakchild and it's quite good. Opening with traditional, Jesus On The Mainline and the Rev not only shows acute guitar prowess and strong, stylized vocals. Excellent. Blues For No One is a real nice guitar ditty featuring the Rev and his extreme dexterity on acoustic guitar. Very nice. A cool interpretation of Billie Holiday's, God Bless The Child demonstrates just how smooth the Rev's vocals can be. With only the essence of guitar, jazz chords, this is a strong entry to the mix. A sensitive take on Lowell George's Willin' is a great closer for disc one. Morganfield's Rollin' and Tumblin' has the Rev digging in deep with lively vocals and excellent acoustic slide work. Another slide delight is Hawaiian Cowboy Lost In NYC. The Rev's slide work is intense and fluid with recollections of John Lennon, street noises. Very interesting. Cool shuffle, A Day Late and a Dollar Short gives the set a real nice kick. With relaxed vocals, easy guitar and including the Rev on harmonica, it's party time. Wrapping the release is Momento Mori, a contemporary blues with soulful vocals and slashing slide.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

J&R Collective artist: Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival - Electric Eden - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release. Electric Eden, from Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Breaking Chains, Jennifer Lyn on lead vocals cranks up the band with fiery vocals, joined by Richard Torrance on vocal and guitar, Jim Anderson on drums and vocals, Barb Jiskra on keys and Nolyn Falcon on bass. Silky guitar riffs by Torrance give the track a real kick making this a solid opener. A cool remake of Grace Slick's White Rabbit fits the set nicely with tight rhythm by Anderson on drums driving the vocals of JL. Sucker For The Pain is one of my favorites on the release with a great back beat, and solid lead and harmony vocals and excellent piano work by Jiskra. A real kicker on the release is swampy, Baggage with a true Little Feat feel. Lyn's vocals are spot on and Jaxon Fitterer really winds up the slide, joined by Falcon, Jiskra and Anderson driving the rhythm. Excellent. Wrapping the release is balled, Refuge, featuring Lyn prominently on vocal, and a blistering guitar solo by Fitterer over a solid melody.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Adhyaropa Records artist: Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson - The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant by Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson and it's quite interesting. Opening with Covid Suite I. Big City Livin', Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson start off a dual trombone riff and you immediately know something special is about to happen. Boris Koslov initiates a strong bass solo carried by Ray Marchica on drums. Joined by Seneca Black, Alex Pope Norris and Freddie Hendrix on trumpet; Ron Wilkins, Rebecca Patterson, Ed Neumeister on trombone and Eric C Davis on french horn; Zac Zinger and Carl Maraghi on sax, Mike King on Rhodes, this is a cool mix. Neumeister and Wilkins each blow radically great solos followed by King on Rhodes who gets a real nice swing emphasis going. Very cool opener. Sulk City is a more laid back, orchestral piece, featuring Black on trumpet, King on piano and Marchia on drums. Near East is another cool piece with a super melody, anchored by Patterson on bass trombone and Zinger on Bansuri and featuring a strong solo by Kozlov on bass. Wrapping the release is Like A Brother, featuring Ron Blake on sax and Wilkins on trombone trading melodic bars. With a soft Latin rhythm by Marchica and warm sax backing. This is a solid closer.

Friday, June 5, 2026

HipSync Records artist: Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces - Fool's Fate - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fool's Fate, from Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces and it's really cool. Opening with Fool's Fate, Rik Wright on guitar sets a rhythm, joined by Greg Campbell on drums and Geoff Harper on bass carving out a funky fusion feel. James DeJoie on alto sax plays aggressive shredding riffs surrounded by lush chords by Wright. This is a spacy, creative track with plenty of expansive space. Very cool opener. Freezer Jam pairs Wright and DeJoie on melody over a creative, jagged rhythm by Harper and Campbell. DeJoie breaks free forming a more cohesive melody on sax and Wright plays a particularly melodic rhythm as DeJoie breaks free, leading to his own guitar romp supported by Harper and Campbell. Staggering. Luminescence has a haunting, particularly beautiful melody, structured by Wright on electric guitar chords, and easy paced melodic lines by DeJoie. Wright takes a calming, well articulated guitar solo of his own with only bass and drum support, really digging out an emotional solo to conclude the track. Super. Wrapping the release is Something Sad and Sweet where Wright plays lush chords with echo and volume swells to create a beautiful, airy, melody that literally floats. Sophisticated closer for a very nice release.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Mighty Ernie Records artist: Pete Mills - This Is Now - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Is Now, by Pete Mills and it's hot! Opening with title track, This Is Now, tenor sax player, Pete Mills lays out the melody, punctuated by Kenny Banks jr. on piano and Matt Wilson on drums. Wilson digs in with his first solo and he is really cooking with Martin Wind on bass driving hard and active drum action by Wilson. Banks Jr. lays down a solid groove of his own and Pete McCann on guitar really sails, making this a dynamite opener. Laying back a bit, Daddies has a real nice, soulful melody with Mills leading the way on sax. Really settling into the groove Mills double times his phrasing before handing off to Banks Jr. who floats on the groove. A meaty solo by Wind on bass is punctuated by Wilson on tom tom. Very nice. Exit Strategy is a contemporary jazz track with a more eccentric rhythm. Mills and Wilson really set it up and Banks Jr. takes one of his most exciting piano rides on the release. McCann takes a hard right with overdriven guitar tones giving the track a real fusion sound. Very cool. Window Shopping is a real slinky track featuring first Mills on sax, crafting the melody with a minimal of bass and drums in support. So nice and soulful, it almost seems effortless, with broken rhythm accents by Wilson adding real texture. Wind takes the second leg on solo with excellent hands and Wilson's percussion taken town to cymbal only. Joining back with Mills the melody is restated. Very nice. Latin flavored, Sliver of Silver showcases Mills and Banks Jr., really cruising and fluid soloing by McCann on electric guitar with excellent rhythmic anchor by Wind and Wilson. Funky, Boubar, really moves with Mills kicking it hard over Wind and Wilson's bottom and McCann adds fanning guitar riffs adding to the percussive nature of the track. Nice. Wrapping the release is U.M.M.G., a short duet with Wilson and Mills in tribute to Mills' father. With easy brush strokes by Wilson, Mills crafts a rich, soulful melody that seems to float on the air. Solid closer.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Ruf Records artist: Dana Fuchs - Live In Denmark - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Denmark, from Dana Fuchs and she kicking it in high gear. Opening with blues rocker, Double Down On Wrong, Piero Perelli on drums and Kevin Mackall on bass really have the place rocking. Fuchs has a strong voice and Jon Diamond is relentless on guitar blending blues with contemporary rock riffs. Blue Mist Road opens with light backing and strong vocals by Fuchs. Breaking it wide open, Diamond winds it out on guitar with overdriven guitar tones, backed by solid drum work by Perelli and great lead bass riffs by Mackall. Very nice track. One of my favorite tracks on the release is ballad, Nothing You Own with a great melody, subdued guitar lead and excellent vocal by Fuchs. Diamond takes a melodic guitar solo with plenty of oomph giving the concert a super change of pace. Borrowed Time is a country rock styled track with a a stiff kick by Perelli. A strong radio track, this is a great concert track and has terrific radio potential. Another firm rocker is Curtain Close with a great melody and rhythm. Fuchs paces the track nicely and Diamond's overdriven guitar tones are critical as it fades into Bland's Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City). Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mick and Keith's Sympathy For The Devil. Maintaining the original Stones rhythm and basic arrangement, Mackall lays down a great bass line and Perelli's drum work drives it solid. Diamond does a real nice job grinding out classic rock lead and Fuchs pipes are great. This is a solid release with a continuous groove.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Lexie Blue - Too Glam To Give A Damn - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Glam To Give A Damn, from Lexie Blue and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with title track, Too Glam To Give A Damn, Blue with her trademark voice leads the way with Pete Bullard on guitar, Kevin Schoepke on bass, Gary Martin on drums, and Jack Rivers on keys. Driving opener. R&B flavored, Sit Down & Hush, really has a strong bottom courtesy of Schoepke and Martin. With Blue, grinding out the blues and Bullard on guitar, this is a nice groove. Bluesy, Sneaking Out, gives Blue a real nice chance to dig down and Bullard grinds out a strong guitar solo as well. Wrapping the release is Chin Wagging with a powerful tom tom rhythm by Martin and guitar by Bullard. Double timing the rhythm, Blue's vocals are raw and energetic, with chicken pickin' by Bullard and Martins drums add just a dash of New Orleans. Solid closer.