Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Little Village Foundation artist: Aki Kumar - God Bless The USA - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, God Bless the USA, from Aki Kumar and it's cool. Opening with a Chicago style take on Joe Strummer's Should I Stay made popular by the British punk band, The Clash. With a low slung guitar rhythm by Bob Welsh, June Core on drums, and Kedar Roy on bass this track takes form. Aki Kumar on vocal and harmonica really fleshes out the track with Welsh on piano and Julia JD on backing vocals. Very cool. Willie Dixon's I Just Want To Make Love gets an incredibly out of the box rework with Jim Santi Owen on tabla, Welsh on guitar, Will Marsh on sitar, and Kumar on vocal, harmonica and vocal. Really interesting barely touches it. A reggae/funk workover on Neville Brothers' Sissy Strut now remade as Desi Strut is great with Kumar taking the lead on harmonica and Owens and Marsh providing the basics of the backing with Welsh on guitar and Core on drums. Oh Yeah...it's cool! One of my favorite tracks on the release is It Is What It Is, Chicago styling, Morganfield influenced blues with Kumar on lead vocal and harmonica. Pete Fazzini sits in on lead guitar on this one getting that metallic, Morganfield slide tone down pat. With Roy on bass, and Core on drums, this track hits the spot. Rocker, Hard To Get, sounds like it's from a beach movie from the 60's with it's characteristic guitar (Welsh)/ drums (Core) feel and Jack Sanford on sax working the track under Kumar's vocals. Don't miss Welsh's flashy solo on this one. Wrapping the release is shuffle, Harp Tuah giving Kumar a wide open land to play. With Welsh on guitar, Bermudes on bass, Core on drums, Tony Stead on organ and Welsh on piano, this is a strong closer for a real cool release.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Jed Levy - Faces and Places - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Faces and Places, from Jed Levy and it's a a taste of contemporary jazz styles. Opening with Email, Jed Levy on tenor sax leads the this Afro Cuban flavored track with confident lead lines, peppered with spot on drum work by Alvester Garnett on drums, Peter Slavov on bass and a solid piano interlude by Luis Perdomo. Twiddle Twaddle is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a Jorge Dalto kind of feel on piano and with Latin influenced drums and bass work, Levy really gives his horn a workout. Very cool. St. Simon has a really nice groove driven by Slavov's bass line and Garnett on drums. Levy and Perdomo both take extended solos making this a super track. Tenerife has a strong melodic theme with an excellent drum rhythm. Levy creates an eccentric yet thought provoking melody, followed by a more structured piano lead by Perdomo. Very cool. Levy and Garnett take the high road, anchored by Perdomo and Slavov on Postscript. Solid closer for a solid release.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Origin Records artist: Nnenna Freelon - Beneath The Skin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beneath The Skin, by Nnenna Freelon and it really strong. Opening with Journey of the Heart, Nnenna Freelon is poised and precise with clean vocal articulation over a sparce backing by Alan Pasqua on piano, Keith Ganz on guitar, Jonathan Richards on bass, Steve Hass on drums and Shana Tucker on cello. Solid opener. Under structured, Dark and Lovely brings the blues into Freelon's style with Evan Roberson adding tasty trombone solo work and her vocals are excellent. Snappy, Nawlins drums styling by Hass really works nicely with Roberson giving Freelon just the right base to swing. Excellent! Changed brings to mind Tyner's piano styling on Coltrane's arrangement of Favorite Things and Freelon just sails on vocals. Pasqua really ramps this track up on piano with tight bottom by Hass and Richards. With it's quiet approach, title track, Beneath The Skin is a great contribution with Freelon paired with Ganz on guitar. He voice is powerful and Ganz's guitar playing light and supple creating just the right dynamic. Wrapping the release is Last Dream Home, a nice ballad with it's solid melody and controlled vocals by Freelon, contained by Pasqua on piano and framed by Hass and Richards. A crisp, nylon stringed guitar solo by Ganz adds a brilliant climax to this rich closer.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Little Village Foundation Artist: Terry Hanck - Grease To Gravy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Grease To Gravy, from Terry Hanck and it really swings. Opening with Wilson Pickett's Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You, Terry Hanck has got another hot one on the griddle. Singing and playing tenor sax, Hanck has great feel, backed by Kid Andersen who is everybody's not so secret weapon on guitar, Jim Pugh on B3, and Jon Otis on drums. Great opener. Andersen really steps up on slide guitar on 2nd line track, If A Politician Was A Doctor, with Chris Peet on drums and Hanck really working the sax and pure vocals. Very nice. Ray Charles' Come Back Baby has a great feel and Hanck's soulful vocals and King Curtis like sax work are featured along with June Core on drums, Chris Burns on piano, Pugh on B3 and Andersen on bass. Albert King's Overall Junction features Hanck really honking on sax, great rhythm and lead guitar by Johnny Cat Soubrand, Andersen on B3 and D'Mar on drums. Strong instrumental. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Hanck original Run Run Baby with great lead vocals, solo and underlying sax by Hanck, Soubrand again really playing excellent lead guitar, Andersen on bass, Pugh on B3 and Jon Otis on drums. Great groove! Another cool track is When I Get My Shit Together, reminding me a lot of some of my favorite Elvin Bishop tracks with spoken dialog, low slung, soulful blues melody and excellent soloing by Hanck and Soubrand. Wrapping the release is reggae flavored instrumental, Midnight On The Reef with excellent drum rhythms by Chris Peet, excellent guitar styling by J.P. Soars, Mark Doyle on piano and soulful melodic sax work by Hanck. Strong closer for a very cool release.

Friday, June 27, 2025

Origin Records artist: Charlie Ballantine - East By Midwest - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, East By Midwest, by Charlie Ballantine and it's great! Opening with Storyteller, a lush, instrumental ballad, Charlie Ballantine on guitar crafts a beautiful melody, saturated with reverb and tone. Joined by Quinn Sternberg who's bass work is active and Dan Weiss on drums who keeps it light but effective makes for a brilliant opener. Monk's, Trinkle Tinkle, has real forward thrust with nimble fingered fretwork and perfectly laid chords by Ballantine illustrating the melody and and neatly styled bottom by Sternberg and Weiss keeping your head bopping. A real tasty solo by Sternberg really does play nicely against the classic structure. Lennon (and McCartney's) Strawberry Fields is a nice surprise with Ballantine playing it's straightforward melody with a bit of overdrive but with some really nice surprise counter notes giving the track a new and quite interesting feel. There's also a surprise "kaleidoscope" kind of sound not unlike Lennon's own reversed tape trick. Very nice! I particularly like original composition, Cigarette Siren with it's rocky approach. With Weiss playing actively with Sternberg, and Ballantine playing lead in a much more strat sounding forward manner, the track really comes to me like a brilliant blend of a classic surf track and and Leslie West's Mountain. This is really a mind bending track bring in the colors from many palettes. Ornette Coleman's When Will The Blues Leave gets a great bop groove driven by Sternberg, Ballantine catching the wave and rolling right down the barrel. Really nice. Wrapping the release is Elliot Smith's soulful ballad, Alameda nicely crafted by Ballantine on richly saturated guitar tones over a simple rock beat by Sternberg and Weiss. This really is a strong release that you should check out.

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Big Radio Records artist: Christopher Wyze & The Tellers - Live In Clarksdale - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Clarksdale, from Christopher Wyze & The Tellers and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rocker, Three Hours From Memphis, Christopher Wyze leads the way on vocal, With Doug Banks on drums, Mark Yacavone on keys, Gerry Murphy on bass and John Boyle laying down some solid guitar riffs. Shuffle, Money Well Spent, features Wyze on vocal and with great piano backing and a Boyle working the frets nicely. Wyze pulls out his harmonica on Cotton Ain't King adding nice contrast to his lead vocals and Yacovone's keys really add depth. Good Friend Gone has the feel of Morganfield territory with straight up vocals and harmonica by Wyze and a solid guitar riff by Boyle. Leroy Carr's How Long Blues has a real nice feel along the lines of an old Clapton solo cut with a cool jam between Yacavone and Boyle. Wrapping the release is Jimmie Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, covered by Clapton on Layla. Wyze pulls back to more of an original style arrangement, singing with Yacavone on piano. Solid closer.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Orenda Records artist: Joseph Santa Maria & David Tranchina - Oblique Rhyme - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, and it's curiously cool. Opening with War Crimes, a driving, angular composition, led by Joseph Santa Maria on tenor sax, with a relentless bass line and solo by David Tranchina, punctuation and further elaboration by Gary Fukushima on piano and tight drum rhythm by Colin Woodford. Santa Maria sets up Mood Of Mind on soprano sax with it's soulful melody and Fukushima on piano dances freely across the keyboard with precision work by Woodford and Tranchina interweaving a gripping bottom. Prism is another interesting track with a jagged melody set down by Santa Maria on soprano sax and Fukushima on piano jointly. Santa Maria extends the theme on sax with excellent drum and bass work maintaining the cohesion of the piece. This Must Be For You, written by Woodford is dedicated to Herbie Hancock. With it's warm, melodic feel, led by Santa Maria on alto sax it really has a rich feel with an invocative bass solo and a captivating piano lead by Fukushima expanding the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Picking Up The Pieces, with Santa Maria really leading on warm tenor sax. With Tranchina's intricate bass line, precision drumming by Woodford and excellent piano work by Fukushima constantly edging Santa Maria on, this track really sails. Woodford leads the melody into a more classical exploration on piano and with the shaping by Tranchina and Woodford, the track turns back to the bluesy roots for closure. Very nice.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

American Blues Artist Group artist: Dudley Taft - The Speed Of Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Speed Of Life, by Dudley Taft and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Wanted Man, Dudley Taft, the great, great, grandnephew of US President William Howard Taft, hits the road running with a funk rhythmed rocker contributing strong melodic vocals, and guitar riffs, supported by Nick Owsianka on drums, Dave Marks on bass, keys and percussion, Bennett Holland on keys, and Ashley Charmae and Gina McCann on backing vocals. Forward rocker, Work It Out has a great driving rhythm and nicely harmonized vocals with potent guitar soloing by Taft. Pretty Little Thing has a cool, SRV like guitar riff to start it off and trademark Taft vocal harmonies electrify the track backed by real nice guitar work supported by Holland on keys. Very cool. Topaz Blue has a real nice swagger. Owsianka on drums really stands on it on this one and Holland's keys saturate the track giving Taft plenty of room to soar on guitar. Into The Blue gives Taft a great opportunity to show off his fancy finger work on acoustic guitar and with warm vocals and a smooth harmonies, this is a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is No Time Left, a strong radio rocker with a tight bottom, strong backing vocals and a direct melody. This is a packed release with plenty of guitar packed energy.

Monday, June 23, 2025

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

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Retrograde, from Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival, and it's packed with blues rockers. Opening with Light The Fire, Jennifer Lyn on lead vocal and guitar ignites the package with potent vocals and joined by Richard Torrance on guitar and back vocals, creates a track with just the right amount of grit and blues. With Barb Jiskra on keys Nolyn Falcon on bass and Jim Anderson on drums and vocals this track is a solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Sucker For The Pain with a terrific beat, a strong guitar riff. Do Bad Things To You has a real nice swagger with a grinding guitar bottom and strong guitar lead, complimented by Falcon and Anderson on rhythm. '59 Cadillac has cool, funky, rhythm and a real strut. Lyn rides high on the vocals with wicked blues wah saturated guitar soloing giving the track real bite. Wrapping the release is radio oriented ballad, Do It All Again, with a memorable melody, compressed guitar lead and a grinding Pat Benetar sound. Cool release.

Friday, June 20, 2025

Shiri Zorn & George Muscatello - Looking For The Light - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Looking For The Light, by Shiri Zorn and George Muscatello and it's very nice. Opening with Jobim classic, Garota de Ipanema (Girl From Ipanema) Shiri Zorn approaches this track with fresh eyes and slams it over the wall. With brilliant electric guitar lead by George Muscatello and lush rhythms by Mauricio Zottarelli this is an excellent opener. Super track, Marcos Valle's, So Nice is another special treat with a cool arrangement sometimes approaching mysterious with always super vocals and nicely developed work by Muscatello on guitar. Original composition, Prayer, has a super persussion base with Muscatello winding his guitar solo in and through Zorn's vocals. Very interesting. I really like the fusion/Latin American mixture on instrumental (with vocal used as an instrument), Shadow Soul. Intricate percussion work by Zottareli works perfectly with the Fripp like guitar work of Muscatello and Zorn's vocals just float in the ether. Wrapping the release is Arthur Schwartz's Dancing In The Dark with a laid back Samba beat and lushly chorded guitar work under Zorn's carefully illustrated vocal melody. This is a peaceful yet stimulating release. Very nice.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Bespoke Jazz artist: Tim Jago - Time Shift - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Shift, from Tim Jago and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Time Shift, Tim Jago, on guitar really sets a high bar. With Martin Bejerano on keys, Dion Kerr on bass and David Chiverton on drums a deep groove is set and up steps Jago on guitar laying in the melody. An aggressive round of soloing from Bejerano, Kerr and Jago, accented potently by Chiverton on drums and laid out sax work by Mark Small makes this one of the finest openers that I've heard this year. Soil To Sky opens with a jagged rhythm created by Jago vocally in layers. With a mix of 4/4 and 5/8 time, Small sets out a lush elevating melody supported by the tight drums work of Chiverton and Bejerano on keys. Nicely phrased lead guitar by Jago elaborates on the melody further enhancing the concept. Very cool. Bernie Miller's, Bernie's Tune is really a nice selection with a driving bottom held tight by Kerr, Chiverton and Bejerano and Jago literally sails on guitar before passing to Small who's sax work has a bit more texture. Circling back, Jago and Small keep it tight wrapping it up. Very nice. Fine Line is another excellent track leading off with Small and Chiverton setting the stage. Jago picks up the lead and really runs with it on guitar. Bejerano gives an outstanding ride on keys supported by Kerr and Chiverton showing just how tight this band is, before rejoining with Small on sax. Really solid. Wrapping the release is Kind Minded, a more spacious track with structure by Small and Bejerano heavily articulated by Kerr and Chiverton. Jago and Small carry the melody throughout and Chiverton takes the track to near explosion with bombastic enthusiasm. Strong closer.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Eastlawn Records artist: Doctor Professor Leonard King - In Tribute To Joe Williams - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In Tribute o Joe Williams, by Doctor Professor Leonard King and it's a lively jazz vocal release with plenty of spring. Opening with Joe Williams track, Who She Do, Leonard King rolls right into the slot with excellent vocals. Matt LoRusso on guitar plays a hot intro, joined by Alex Colista on alto sax, Christopher Tabaczynski screaming on tenor sax, Tre Smith on bari sax, James O'Donnell on trumpet, Charlie Mille on trumpet, Tbone Paxton on trombone, Michael Zaporski on piano, Trevor Lamb on bass, Sean Perlmutter on drums and RJ Spangler on percussion. Excellent swinging opener. Herb Ellis', Detour Ahead, gives King a great opportunity to showcase his vocals, with nice solos by Colista on alto sax, and Miller on trumpet. Nappy Brown's, Night Time Is The Right Time, takes it down deep with strong vocals by King over clean piano lead by Zaporski. Paxton lays in some real nice muted trombone work and trumpet solos by O'Donnell and Miller really shine. Count Basie's, Don't Push Don't Pull really swings and King gets the crew cranked up. With TBone featured on trombone it's automatically one of my favorites on the release, but there's no denying the hot trumpet work of O'Donnell and Miller. Great swinger. Wrapping the release is Some Of This 'N' Of That with a cool Nawlins feel. Zaporski's piano work is stellar giving the track terrific traction and Smith really gets the bari sax cooking. One final flying guitar solo by LoRusso really adds a terrific shine to a solid Williams tribute. Strong.

Monday, June 16, 2025

The Bent Note artist: Hughes Taylor - Roasted - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Roasted, from Hughes Taylor and it's super blues rocker. Opening with jazzy rocker, Moondance Baby, Hughes Taylor on lead vocal and guitar sets a definite bar for the band including Ben Alford on bass, Nich Gannon on drums, Zach Wilson on keys and Emily Lynn on backing vocals. Until It Hits is a laid back track showcasing both the warm vocals and southern rock guitar influences on his playing. Paired with Evie Somogye on backing vocals, Taylors playing is clean and Wilson's keyboard work really filling the bill. From The Other Side really has some great guitar tone with with a riff that could be right out of the grooves of Cream. Taylor's vocals are forward and his guitar playing aggressive working well with Gannon on drums. Beautiful Stranger has a funky rhythm and great guitar tone with nicely phrased vocals and heavy organ work by Wilson. Alford and Gannon really work the bottom on this track making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Rochester, a funky, instrumental jam with Taylor setting the pace on guitar, a meaty bass line by Alford and tight drumming by Gannon. Solid closer.

Friday, June 13, 2025

MoMojo Records artist: Allison August - August Moon - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, August Moon, by Allison August and it's funky and sassy. Opening with Afraid of Love, Allison August shows what a great lead vocalist does and with excellent backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis and Jen Caston on, tight drum rhythm by Bryan Head, David J. Carpenter on bass, Sam Meek on guitar, Lenny Castro on percussion, Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and Sam Meek on guitars, this track is tight! Sugaray Rayford joins August on lead vocals on I Won't Say No with a charging drum/percussion line by Tony Braunagel and Castro and a slashing guitar lead by Meek accented by Mike Finnegan on organ. Top radio track selection is Desiree with it's warm, memorable melody and vocal/keyboard interplay between August, Teresa James and Gregg Sutton and Finnegan. Very nice. I like the cautious confidence on The Cure, and it's funky underbelly. August manages the track masterfully followed by James and Sutton on backing vocals and trademark slide work by Little Feat's Paul Barrere really gives the track a cool bite. Wrapping the release is straight up rocker, Born Yesterday with Braunagel hitting it stiff on drums and Phil Parlapiano on organ. Sublett and Lovitt on horns give the track strong support and crisp guitar work by Josh Sklair give the track additional warmth.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Robert Thurman - Burning Daylight - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Burning Daylight, from Robert Thurman and it real and raw. Opening with American Jesus Blues, Robert Thurman plays blues in it's most stripped down form. Just his vocal and rhythm guitar. On Blues This Morning, Thurman has created a solid melody and strums it on electric guitar, answering his call vocally. Very cool. Ofermod is a interesting little instrumental track with the basic bones of a European folk song. Nervous Blues is another track that caught my attention with Thurman singing the melody accompanied by innovative slide resonator guitar. Sonny Boy Williamson's Ground Hog Blues has real spunk and guts holding a traditional blues format. So Far From Home is one of my favorites on the release with a folky, western styling of the troubadour cowboy and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is One Last Breath, a story told without any guitar accompaniment. This is a cool and unusual release and definitely worth a listen.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

BDM Records artist: Bianca Rossini - Kiss of Brasil - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kiss of Brazil, by Bianca Rossini and I quite like it. Opening with Ipanema Paraiso a smooth, Brazilian pop track, showcases Bianca Rossini on vocal and Peter Roberts on piano carrying the track with nice additions by Peter Roberts on guitar and keys, and featuring some real nice sax work by Jimmy Roberts. Solid opener. Nos Dois has a very soothing sound with Marilyn Berglas on piano and strings, and Robert Montero on guitar. Very nice. Up tempo, Verdadeiro Amor really has a great rhythm with Berglas on piano, Grecco Buratto on guitar and cavaquinho, Roberts on keys and Sandro Feliciano on percussion. One of my favorites on the release is sultry, No Silencio da Noite with an inviting lead vocal line and nicely articulated piano work by Steve Rawlins. Excellent! A solid Bossa beat on Perfume de Verao features Paul Montesano whistling the melody and guitar with Roberts on keys. Nice addition. Wrapping the release is Corazon de Oro, sung in english with a a warm rhythm With Marco Tulio on guitar, Roberts on keys and Berglas on strings. Very nice closer and strong release by Rossini, whose captivating vocals carry the release.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes - Trial By Fire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Trial By Fire, by Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes and it's packed with energy. Opening with flamboyant music producer, Huey Meaux's Neighbor Neighbor featuring Fran Drew on lead vocal and the powerful sax work of Sax Gordon. Gene Donaldson and Steve Isherwood lay down a sassy blues guitar solo backed by Dennis Cotton on drums, and Max Samson on bass, making for a solid opener. Potent blues classic, Breakin' Up Somebody's Home, really a staple for Albert King is a solid addition here with Jeff Bousfield on keys holding down the potatoes as Isherwood and Donaldson put up the meat backing Drews vocals. Hank Ballard's track, Roll With Me Henry is set to a grounded boogie beat anchored by Samson and Cotton and features some slashing guitar riffs by Isherwood under the lead vocals of Drew. Dayna Kurtz's, I Look Good In Bad, may be my favorite track on the release with healthy piano and organ work by Bousfield and a flaming guitar solo by Jeff Bousfield giving this track a real zing. Lil Son Jackson's earthy Rock Me Baby gets into a real nice blues slot with Drew and Rich Badowski on harmonica working the lead. Wrapping the release is Memphis Minnie's Chauffer Blues featuring Badowski on harmonica and Drew on lead vocal riding high on the bouncy melody and featuring a stinging guitar solo by Isherwood. Solid closer.