Bman's Blues Report

Friday, July 26, 2024

Deacon Records artist: Steve Hunter - The Deacon Speaks - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Deacon Speaks, from Steve Hunter, and it's a cool rocker. Opening with a laid back rework of Willie Dixon's Back Door Man, with all instruments played by Hunter. With a keyboard rhythm, and light drum reinforcement, Hunter uses his gravelly vocals and strong guitar phrasing to craft a totally new approach to this track. Very nice. Independent Soul is very laid back with a jazzy rhythm, cool backing vocals and nice drum sizzle. Hendrix's Up From The Skies has a beatnik club sound with Hunter's vocals over bongos, light keys and bass. Hunter lays down some easy going blues bases phrases giving the track just that light edge. My favorite track on the release is Hunter's take on Bill Withers' Who Is He and What Is He To You. Using keys/synth, guitar, percussion and generated effects, this track has the essence of cool. Hunter's guitar solo on this track has just the right amount of bluesy solitude and ambiance to set the track off nicely. Wrapping the release is instrumental, In A Lonely Place, which really captures the solitude. With only the minimal of backing, Hunter creates a subdued, yet powerful melody on electric guitar. Nicely phrased and never overplayed, an excellent closer to a solid release.

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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train - Red, Hot and Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red, Hot and Blue, from Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with That's Where My Mojo's At, Glenn Marais on lead vocal and guitar set a great driving pace complimented by Manny DeGrandis on bass and vocal, Jesse Karwat on keys and vocals and Jeff Saulnier on drums and vocal. Solid opener. Love Denied, has really good form with a strolling approach under the intense vocals of Marais. Classic rock refrain by the Mojo Train and well stated guitar riffs by Marais add real dynamics to this radio ready track. Marais slips on his slide on It All Went Down, and with a stiff foot drum by Saulnier and well blended back vocals by MT, this track is sure to be a crowd favorite in concert. Wrapping the release is funk rocker, Professor Day, with an aggressive, bass/drum/guitar rhythm and hot sax work by Nick Begoeff. Marais and Karwat set out some tasty solo lines making this a hot closer.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Songsurfer Records artist: Shawn Kellerman - Kell's Kitchen - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kell's Kitchen, from Shawn Kellerman and it's an aggressive rocker with a lot of bite. Opening with hard driving, SKB, Shawn Kellerman on lead vocal, and guitar, this track is really humming. With Carlton Campbell on drums, Terry Richardson on bass, Lance Anderson on Wurlitzer, and with the addition of Miku Graham, Saidah Baba Talibah, Emily Fennell and Meghan Parnell on vocal, this track is cranking! Excellent opener. Funky, Show Me What You Got, features Kellerman on lead vocal and playing some pretty tight guitar. Richardson on bass really funks it up and Van Romaine knows how to hold down the drums. Fennell and Parnell on backing vocal are joined by Jon Knight for a real party. Bad Mamma Jamma is a great mix of funk and rock with Kellerman doing the lyrics and Anderson on B3 and Romaine on drums really kicking it up. Kellerman lays down a real nice guitar solo showing his complete ability to morph from style to style. Very cool. Shuffle, Mac & Cheese has a solid blues foundation with snappy drum work by Romaine and Lance Anderson on keys. Kellerman is wild on vocals and his guitar work is a total frolic. I love Jason Ricci's work and his harmonica work and attitude on You're Gonna Learn From This One really makes this track standout with a perfect interface with Kellerman on vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is Living Off The Love You Give with a R&B feel. Noah Allard helps on backing vocals and Lucky Peterson adds some signature B3 work. Ray Podhomik on trumpet punches up the track with some hot trumpet and with Andrew Blaze Thomas on drums Kellerman takes it home with some straight up rock riffs. Really cool release.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

DPU Records artist: Steve Synder Trio - Prime Vintage - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Prime Vintage, from Steve Synder Trio and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Legacy, a solid shuffle with a great walking bass line by Synder on organ. Joel Tucker on guitar lays out an excellent, fluid guitar solo with all of the feel you could want. Synder on organ sets his own solo keeping the excitement at a near boil, grounded by Kenny Phelps on drums. Great opener. High energy, Sharp Left, is really tight with a great intro by Phelps and Synder leading to a phrenzy of guitar work by Tucker. Synder again shores up with another solo of his own. Very nice. Latin flavored, Thank You, has real radio appeal with it's flashy rhythm and meaty exchange between Synder's warm organ and Tucker's fleet fingered guitar soloing. Wrapping the release is deep groove, So That's What This Is All About, with Synder creating a nice shuffle and warm feel on his organ. Tucker is on top of it with light touch, blues influenced, solo phrasing and warm chords. Cool syncopation by Synder on organ, holding the bass line tight, reinforced by Tucker and Phelps really gives this closer a great feel. Solid closer for a strong release.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Lane Records/Truth Music artist: The Black Gold Orchestra - Genesis - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Genesis, from The Black Gold Orchestra and it's exciting. Opening with Gyau (Walton's Call)/On The Move, with Melvin Jones, Michael Cruse, Terrence Harper and Steven Fowller on trumpet and Mike Walton, Frank Houston, Mike Burton, Derrick James, Jamel Mitchell and Fareed Maluhli on trumpets and Wilbert Williams, Derrick White, Herman Spearman, Wilbert Neal and Christopher Burns on trombone. What a powerhouse horn section. Walton and Jones really crank up the heat with dynamic solos and Larry Wilson really nails with spectacular drum and percussion work making this an exceptional opener. Midnight Oil is a really cool track with a driving bass line by Joel Powell and featuring great work by Cruse on trumpet, Rod Harris Jr. on guitar and Banks Jr on piano. Intoxicating Beauty has a really nice melody line laid out by Houston on sax and full orchestral compliment. I really like the trombone solo by Herman Spearman on Merging Lanes and rich sax work by Jamel Miller is out of sight carried by the deep groove of Powell on bass and the fireworks of Wilson on drums. Wrapping the release is high strung, NutVille Remix featuring a cool, heavily bent guitar solo by Clay Benjamin and Larry Wilson on keys. Excellent closer for an excellent release.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Big Radio Records artist: Christopher Wyze & The Tellers - Stuck In The Mud - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stuck In The Mud, by Christopher Wyze & The Tellers, and it's deep contemporary blues. Opening with blues rocker, Three Hours from Memphis, Christopher Wyze is up front on vocal and harmonica with Eric Deaton on guitar, Gerry Murphy on bass, Justin Holder on drums and Brad Kuhn on piano. This track has a solid melody and strong vocals by Wyze make it a radio contender. Folk blues track, Soul On The Road is a well constructed, story teller song with Wyze accompanied by Cary Hudson on acoustic guitar and slide. Wyze's vocals are clear and intriguing and Hudson's slide work nice placed and engaging. Money Spent Blues is a cool shuffle with strong lead vocals and Deaton on guitar and Kuhn on piano taking a nice spin. Blues rocker, Looking For My Baby is one of my favorite tracks on the release is a great melody, and strong bottom by Holder and Murphy. A standout solo by Brad Guin really hits the spot highlighted by a piano solo by Kunh. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Someday, a straight up radio track with articulate vocals and warm harmonica by Wyze over Kuhn on Wurlitzer, Holder on drums and Murphy on bass. This is a cool closer for an interesting release.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Dancing Bear artist: Sunnysiders - 27 Stitches - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 27 Stitches, from Sunnysiders, and it's a solid rocker with roots in the blues. Opening with Shake and Shiver, Antonija Vrgoc Rola is up front on vocals with fluid guitar work by Luka Banic Bane, Boris Hrepic Hrepa on harmonica and Tomislav Novak Tomi on bass, joined by Jaksa Jordes on sax, Sime Glavina on trumpet, and Luka Lazar on trombone. Solid opener. Driving rocker, Soup, has a lockstep rhythm not unlike the Doors' Whiskey Bar. With a firm foot drum beat by Miha, Rola marches out the melody, joined by Vedran Krizan on accordion, and Hrepa on harmonica. A real interesting guitar solo by Bane tops off this track. Very cool. Straight up rocker, Love Remote has a driving guitar rhythm a has Rola and Davorin Bogovic trading lead vocal. Playing lead guitar with wreckless abandon, Bane slashes away. This is a hot radio rocker. Wrapping the release is Highway To Blues, with Hrepa and Rola (doubled) on lead vocal. With a cool guitar melody and soloing by Bane, another radio track and a solid radio closer.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Andre' Bisson - Latchford - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Latchford, by Andre' Bisson and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Latchford, Andre' Bisson on lead vocal and guitar really shows his craft. With a nicely written melody, excellent vocals and with Jesse O'Brien on keys, Mike Rowell on bass and Keagan Early on drums, this is a solid entry. Sassy sax work by Pat Carey, Shawn Moody on trumpet, Loretta Hale on trumpet, Rob Somerville on trombone really give the track depth. Echo Mountain has a rockier feel with a dash of funk by Bisson's rhythm guitar work, reinforced by Carey on sax and O'Brien on organ. R&B flavored, Smile Time, really shows commercial appeal with a happy melody, solid vocals, upbeat tempo and solid sax work by Carey. Funky rocker, Sticks and Stones, is anchored by Carey on bari sax and O'Brien on piano. Bisson on vocal does a really nice job to carry the melody and throws down a pretty cool guitar solo of his own with punchy horn backing. Very cool. Wrapping the release is rocker, The Bring Down with it's pumping rhythm and full horns. O'Brien really hits in on piano and Bisson does a great job on vocals to close out this set. Very nice.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Tastee Tone Artist: Dave Keller - It's Time to Shine - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's Time To Shine, from Dave Keller and it's a real nice blues rocker. Opening with Waiting For The Sunshine, Dave Keller on vocal and guitar set up a great funky rock sound. With Jay Gleason on drums and Alex Budney on bass this opener had a really great feel, nicely augmented by Ira Friedman on keys. Excellent opener. On R&B flavored, 789-0133, Keller really shows his ability to sing with real soul. Mark Earley on sax and Tom Palance on trumpet add real depth on this track and with warm organ work by Friedman and great backing vocals by Annika Chambers - DesLauriers, Keller takes a real nice stroll on guitar making this one of my favorite tracks (think Billy Price/Roy Buchanan pairing). Up tempo, Paint A New Life Together, has a strong melody and with a full organ envelope, Keller is upfront on vocals really showing his stuff. A power burst of guitar showmanship really mates to this track nicely. Another track with an interesting bottom is Mayor of Memory with a Buddy Miles, almost Band of Gypsys sound. Friedman and Keller both take nice solos and the band is really tight. Best track on the release. Wrapping the release is Hard To Believe with more straight forward rock feel. Palance and Earley work with Friedman to give it just the right richness over the crisp bottom created by Gleason and Budney, Keller's vocals really shine and a solid guitar solo ties the release. Solid closer.

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Friday, July 12, 2024

The Bluesland Horn Band - Six - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Six, from The Bluesland Horn Band, and it's a tight set of blues and gospel influenced tracks. Opening with My Old Truck, a cool shuffle Marty Cochrane on vocal, leads the way with Ross Hall on drums, Casey Ryder on bass, Jan Randle on piano, Terry Medd on dobro and guitar, David Wilkie on mandolin and the horns of Miguelito Valdez and Doug Zacharias on trumpet, Barrie Sorenson on tenor sax, Armando Alvarez on bari sax, and Tim Keels on tuba. On Shuffle In The Attic Medd gets the spotlight and lays down some real nice guitar phrasing, backed by Hall on drums, Randle on organ, Valdez, Sorensen and Alvarez on horns. Very cool. Punchy, Rock My Roll had a real nice driving beat with Jack Lavin driving the train on bass. Cochrane's vocals are rugged and commanding and Jerry Cook on tenor sax and Terry Medd on guitar set the track apart. Slow blues, Holy Water, is definitely one of the best tracks on the release with excellent vocals by Cochrane. Gavin Sorochan on drums, Pan Sciore on bass, Miles Jackson on organ create great tension and Medd's guitar lead compliments it nicely of course with the envelope of Zacharias, John Reid and Paul Evans (on bari). Wrapping the release is So Long, Goodbye featuring Jack Lavin on vocal, bass and harp. Hall on drums, Medd on slide and Jackson on organ fill out the band. Lavin slides in a real nice harp solo and Medd a solid guitar solo making this a solid closer.

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns - Canboro Canborough - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Canboro Canborough, by Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns and I really like their sound. Opening with Carrottown, a funky rocker with Jim Casson laying down a tight funky bottom with N. Jay Burr on tuba augmenting the bottom. Wayne De Adder on guitar adds a cool guitar rhythm and Mike Branton on slide guitar really adds the spice. Mark Lalama on piano and Casson on vocal blend nicely making this a terrific opener. Daincity is another cool rocker but with a New Orleans kind of flare. I like Burr's percussive work on tuba and Casson, Lalama and De Adder really work gathering great intensity on this track. Bluesy, The Comfort In The North, has a real nice melody, carried by DeAdder on guitar. With it's deep, bluesy feel, and expressive phrasing, this in one of my favorites on the release. Another New Orleans flavored track, Silverdale, rides on the backs of Burr and Casson and nicely showcases the slide work of Branton and the keyboard work of Casson. Wrapping the release is White Toyota, pairing Casson on drums and vocal with Burr on tuba. A cool little quip and a solid closer.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Electro-Fi Records artist: Blackburn Brothers - SoulFunkn' BLUES - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, SoulFunkn' BLUES, by the Blackburn Brothers and it's got a serious groove. Opening with soulful, Bobby's Blues, Duane Blackburn on lead vocal and keys leads the way with Brooke Blackburn on guitar, Cory Blackburn on drums, and Nathan Blackburn on bass. Rich horn support from Neil Brathwaite on sax and Ted Peters on trombone really adds nicely to the mix on this strong opener. Soul Brother really gets into the funky groove with a excellent bass lead from Roger Williams, Cory's tight drumming and excellent horn work by Brathwaite and Peters. Duane leads with solid vocals and adds juts the right amount of organ and Brooke lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own giving the track just the right edge. Sit still...I dare ya! Old school funk on Sister Rosa, is a page right out Sly's book. Mark Ayee on bass sets the groove with Duane on vocal, Brooke putting in just the right guitar and a soulful sax solo by Pat Perez. Howard Ayee has his bass humming on Freedom Train with Duane's consistently tight vocals and keys leading the way. Brook on guitar really weaves his guitar work into the fabric of the track with Brathwaite and Peters on horns. Very cool. Wrapping the release is R&B flavored I Don't Ever Want To Be Alone really showcasing Duane's vocal strength and with Brathwaite and Peters warming the track with nicely blended horns and Duane's own keyboard work over Brook's guitar, Cory on drums and Nathan on bass, this is an excellent closer.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Lightning In A Bottle Records artist: Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots - The Devil Won't Get You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Devil Won't Get You, from Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with funky rocker, Even Money, Chad Rupp on lead vocal and guitar is upfront over a strong bass line by Timmer Blakely and Jimi Bott on drums. Cool organ work by Louis Pain and strong piano work by Brady T Goss really create a pocket for Rupp to solo which has a distinctive Dicky Betts feel. Strong opener. Joe-Mack McCarthy on trumpet and Scott Franklin on sax create a strong intro on this swinging blues with great guitar riffs throughout and highlighting Rupp's vocals. Franklin, McCarthy and Rupp trading riffs makes this track one of my favorites on the release. Leopard For Your Love is a potent shuffle a great start and stop vocal treatment's and stiff call and response vocal with Ruffs guitar. Up tempo shuffle, At The Candlelight Room is driven by aggressive drum rhythms by Bott and Rupp plays off his own vocal with excellent guitar retort. Pain on organ lays in a real nice organ solo and Rupp shows real nice chops on guitar. Wrapping the set is Tighten It Up with full horns by Franklin and McCarthy and tight bottom compliments of Bott and Blakley. With the addition of Andrew Matthew, Paula Bunion, TJ Wong and Bott on vocals, real nice solos from Goss, Rupp, Bott, Pain, and horn reinforcement punching up the end, this is an excellent closer.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Green Bullet Records artist: The Jake Leg Jug Band - Hello Central - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hello Central, from The Jake Leg Jug Band and it's a lot of fun. Opening with St. Louis Blues, JLJB sets a cool front with a cool rag featuring Duncan Wilcox on vocal and Bass, Liam Ward on vocal, harmonica, jug, washboard, kazoo and saw, and Warren James on vocal, guitar and banjo. Complimented by Alex Clarke on sax and clarinet, Andy Henderson on trumpet and Richard Leach on trombone, this is a lively opener. James rhythm on banjo and super horn work by Henderson and Leach give Someday You'll Be Sorry a laid back opening. I particularly like Ward's harmonica solo over James' banjo rhythm and the underlying horn interplay. Very cool. Bluegrass influenced, Ella Speed is a real hoot with a foot stompin rhythm by Wilcox and James on guitar. Ward's kazoo skills are tight and the vocals work well. I particularly like Clarke's clarinet solo which really dresses the track. Very cool. Doctor Jazz has a great full horn swing featuring Leach on trombone, Henderson on trumpet and Clarke on sax with a meaty solo. James' banjo rhythm sets the pace and Wilcox on bass anchors it tight. Each of the horn players take a stroll on solo making this one of my favorites tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is a springy take on gospel track, Gloryland. With rich vocal harmonies, James on banjo, Wilcox on bass and Ward on harmonica, and a real dixie style horn fabric by Clarke, Henderson and Leach, this is a strong closer.

Friday, July 5, 2024

The Groove Krewe featuring Jonathan Boogie Long - Blues From The Bayou - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues From The Baayou, by The Groove Krewe featuring Jonathan Boogie Long and it's quite tasty. Opening with up tempo shuffle, Ain't No If About It, Jonathan Boogie Long on lead vocal and guitar really gets this track crankin'. With Eddie Bayers on drums, Nelson Blanchard on bass and guitar, and Rex Pearce on guitar, this is a super opener. With a nice taste of R&B, Dangerous Curves has a great feel Bayers on drums, David Hyde on bass and Pearce on guitars, Blanchard on keys and Jason Parfait on horns join Long for a track which could really be a nice radio track. Wrapping the release is Eclipsed By Love with a conventional radio rock format. Long on lead vocal has the groove and knows what to do. Dale Murray joins on percussion, David Peters on drums, Leon Medica on bass and Tony Haselden on guitars round out the release. Solid closer.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Shakura S'Aida - Hold On To Love - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hold On To Love, by Shakura S'Aida and it's a soulful R&B release with style. Opening with title track, Hold On To Love, Shakura S'Aida on lead vocal really hits the groove, with terrific backing vocals and what sounds like (although not noted on the release) Derek Trucks on slide. Excellent opener. With the darkness of a southern spiritual, Clap Yo Hands And Moan, really is a great track. Rick vocal blending, a thumping foot drum and that haunting slide work makes this one of my favorites on the release. You're The One takes more of a no holds attack with full vocal backing and massive drum and guitar attack and a simplified dobro addition, presumed to be by Keb Mo. Funky rocker, Ain't Got Nothin' is a real mover with rich bottom, great lead vocals and flashy lead guitar work by Eric Gales. This track really is strong.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Grindstone Records artist: Wayne Nicholson - Gin House - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gin House, from Wayne Nicholson and I really like it. Opening with Gin House Blues, Wayne Nicholson is upfront on vocal, joined by James Logan on guitar, Bruce Dixon on bass, Neil Robertson on drums, Kim Dunn on piano and Hammond, Bill Stephenson on grand piano, Tony Diteodoro on guitars, Steve Marriner on harmonica and guitars and Lisa MacDougall on backing vocals. This is raw energy focused in a strong blues rock package. With it's Robert Johnson like construction, Cream like attack and Stones like finesse, this is a solid opener. Mother Earth Blues has a deep rock rhythm with a stiff rim shot by Robertson driving the train. Warm Hammond tones by Dunn and Logan's slide work fill the track with raw energy and Nicholson eggs it on. Jimmy Reed's Honest I Do, provides a solid platform for vocal duet by Nicholson and MacDougall. With Dunn on piano and Logan laying down Reed like riffs, this track is a cool break. Forty Days and Forty Nights is a low slung shuffle with full harmonica work by Marriner and Dunn on piano giving Nicholson a great undercarriage and Logan's guitar work adds nice pinning. Invisible Blue is one of the stand out tracks on the release with it's quiet approach. Nicholson carries the melody over Dunn's Hammond work and a heavy bass line by Dixon. Quietly coaxing, Logan makes his appearance with really nice round Gilmore like tone topping off the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Wayne and Bill's Gin House Blues, a stripped down rework featuring only Nicholson on vocal and Stephenson on grand piano. This is a cool release that doesn't follow the main road...and I like it.