Bman's Blues Report

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Cold Plunge Records artist: Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet & Eden Kelly - Catalyst - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet & Elden Kelly and it's full helping of diversified world flavors. Opening with Traveling With Gregg, Dave Sharp on bass enlists Henrik Karapetyan on violin, Igor Houwat on oud, Elden Kelly on guitar and Mike List on percussion on an exotic East Indian/fusion journey. Karapetyan on violin with List on percussion set the pace and Houwat and Kelly engage enthusiastically. 13th Century Lion has a medieval/eastern flavor creating a thematic nature led by Houwat and Kelly and anchored by List on drums. Karapetyan takes an adventurous ride on violin, exchanging with Houwat accented by List. Cidade has a warm melody crafted by Karapetyan and Kelly with minimal percussion by List. Houwat takes a real nice excursion on oud before returning to Karapetyan. This is a really solid track and my favorite in the set. Wrapping the release is The Stray Moonduck with a blend of tabla and Latin music. With it's Eastern rhythm and Spanish overtone melody, this track is a cool closer with seductive violin by Karapetyan and Spanish style guitar with a real twist.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Paradiddle Records artist:The Kerry Kearney Band - Self Titled - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from The Kerry Kearney Band, and I like his style. Opening with Otis Rush's All Your Love, Kerry Kearney on lead guitar and vocal resurrects this classic with solid vocals and flaming guitar lead. Bringing to mind the command of Peter Green in Fleetwood Mac, Kearney is joined by Gerry Sorrentino on bass, Mario Staiano on drums and Bill Lifford on harmonica. Excellent opener. Original track, slow blues, Harder To Breathe features Camryn Quinlan on lead vocals and she really digs in. Kearney really rips his slide work on this track, joined by Jack Licitra on keys and follows back yet with a ripping lead solo. Quinlan's voice puts me in mind of Jo Baker and her solid contribution to Bishop's band of the 70's. Very nice. Dylan's Meet Me In The Morning has a cool hitch to it and Kearney's vocal style is a little different on this one but alternating with his soloing, very potent with a wealth of keys by Licitra. Folky, West Of The Ashley has a poppy/ Garcia/Dead feel with Kearney taking the lead, playing the melody on mandolin over Sorrentino on bass, Staiano on drums and Jeff Naimoli on percussion. Off To The Jubilee has a real Bishop/Bloomfield feel with Kearney on vocal and scorching guitar. Hot bass lines by Sorretino and a tight drum line by Staino, this track hits the spot. Wrapping the release is seasonal track, Santa's Got A Brand New Bag, featuring Quinlan on lead vocal and plenty of organ by Mark Mancini. With a real nice guitar solo by Kearney, this is a cool closer for a cool release.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Max Frank Music artist: Royce Campbell - Vagabond - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vagabond, by Royce Campbell and if you like that full brass sound, this may be your ticket. Opening with Peepers, Terry Vosbein gets his band pumped up with Bill Schnepper, Greg Moody, James Cotton, Kelli Birchfield and Kyle Greaney on sax, Chris Magee, Alec Moser, Brian Quakenbush and Kerry Moffit on trumpet, Matt Niess Tom Lundberg, Tom McKenzie and Tyler Bare on trombone, Matthew Billings on piano, Bob Bowen on bass and DeWayne Peters on drums. Royce Campbell lays down a real nice guitar solo followed by Niess on trombone for a swinging starter. On A Sharp Blues, Campbell crafts a really tasty solo followed by Bowen on bass. Tom Ludberg really stands out on trombone with a stellar solo of his own. Latin flavored, Mambo Puente is a really cool track with it's terrific rhythm, nicely capitalized by Campbell on guitar and a super trumpet solo by Chris Magee. Middle Ground leads off with Campbell on guitar really hitting the groove. Low key saxes surround the melody and trumpet punctuation really gives the track heat. Wrapping the release is Viper with it's driving guitar lead and featuring James Cotton with a vibrant tenor solo. Punchy brass and horn saturation define the track for a solid closer.

Friday, July 25, 2025

Impetus Records artist: Masha Campagne - Alegre Menina - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Alegre Menina, by Masha Campagne and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Brazilian flavored, Bahia Com, Masha Campagne delivers nicely on vocal creating a very soothing feel. Ricardo Peixoto on guitar adds clean, articulated soloing backed by Scott Thompson on bass Rafael Barata on drums, and Brian Rice on percussion. Strong opener. Coracao Vagabundo is up next with Campagne's vocals floating on a soft samba rhythm. Peixoto creates a beautiful acoustic guitar solo adding just the right contrast for this track. Cobra Criada is a really cool track with an unusual time signature. I really like Peixoto's electric work on this track which is both tasty and exciting, Scott Thompson on bass adds a cool solo of his own, and Barata's drum rhythm is exceptional. Wrapping the release is Estrada Do Sol with colorful accompaniment by Frank Martin on piano nicely complimenting Campagne on vocal. His soloing is crisp and clear adding a minimal yet essential component to this excellent closer.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - City Life: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, City Life, from Michael Dease and it's super. Opening with Willow Walks In, Michael Dease outlines the melody on trombone, backed by Linda May Han Oh on bass Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. Dease really is stellar on trombone stretching the track and Oh and Watts expand the palette nicely for a terrific opener. With a driving bass line by Oh, Dease creates a sonic environment on Movie Theme with some of the richest trombone solo work I've heard in a while. Watts expands the track with a variety of percussion tones and a tight rhythm and Brooklyn Dease adds color on vocal. Very cool. Sweet Georgia Gillespie is a terrific track with fleet slide and articulation by Dease, a fleet bass solo by Oh gives the track breadth and Watts really works the skins making this one of my favorite tracks on disc one. Claxilever shows Dease in bold form with full throated trombone and Oh again really forms a nicely fluid solo on bass provoking Watts to a boil on drums. Say What? is another great track with a bopping lead by Dease. Disc 2 opens with Tea Time and Dease adds Nicole Glover on tenor sax to the mix. The opening melody finds Dease paired with Glover creating the feel and the track is deep and intense. Dease takes the first solo really digging in on trombone and Glover's unmistakable style on tenor really adds another dimension to this already great sound. Another addition to this disc is Geoffrey Keezer on piano who a is stylistically perfect choice. Grave Concerns has a warm melody pairing Glover with Dease on the intro. Dease lays out a really nice solo, accented nicely by Watts, Keezer and Oh. Keezer is up next with a crisp, decisive solo of his own and Glover, who always has exceptional phrasing continues the theme with a warm sensitive touch. Rainy Afternoon has a quiet feel with Dease and Glover playing harmonic tones to each other with just a hint of piano by Keezer over drums and bass. Oh gets the floor and plays emphatically over the light accompaniment of Keezer. Glover really hits the groove with a warm tenor solo over the tight, funky splash of snare and cymbal of Watts and Keezer on piano before the floor is given back to Dease with really works his magic on trombone. Excellent track. Skittles is a fiery track with ripping drum tempo by Watts and Dease absolutely ripping it up on trombone. Glover claims the spotlight and shows once again she's ready to take charge at any time. I've got to tell you I've seen Glover live and when she plays it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Not to be left behind, Keezer on piano works his magic with Watts really playing up a storm. Powerful. My favorite track on the release is Blues For Herb and Glover really lets it all go. Leading the way on tenor, her tone is strong and her phrasing excellent. Dease follows on second solo trading with Oh and it's a terrific matchup. Keezer steps up for a well articulated solo of his own followed back by Glover and Dease to close out the track. Terrific! Wrapping the release is Lafayette Square, opening by Keezer and with Dease on melody. Joined by Glover the track builds before breaking back for Dease's first solo on trombone. Glover gets her shot and then a longer improv by Keezer. Oh and Watts hold the groove tight and Dease folds back in with a raspy enthusiasm joined by Glover closing out the track. Really excellent set.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Treated and Released Records artist: Reverend Freakchild - A Bluesman of Sorts - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Bluesman of Sorts, by Reverend Freakchild, and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with laid back rocker, Green and Brown Blues, with the smokey feel of John Kay, the Rev has the vocal lead and harmonica along with rhythm guitar, backed by John Robinson on bass and Patrick Carmichael on drums. Cool track. On Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen, the Rev sets up a cool acoustic slide and falsetto vocal paring, not unlike Johnson or Skip James adding to it's stark blues feel. Willie Newbern's Roll and Tumble Blues is another track with authentic treatment with primitive acoustic slide work, harmonica and "hambone" carrying some of the best vocals on the release. Original shuffle, A Day Late and A Dollar Short, has a cool groove with bass, drums and organ backing the Rev on vocal. Chris Whitley's Dust Radio is a cool closer for disc one with slack string guitar giving the track a real back alley feel. Side two opens with a rocking take on Jimmy Reed's Big Boss Man. The Rev digs in on electric guitar, complimenting his vocal and harmonica, backed by organ and percussion...a solid contribution. John Lennon's Yer Blues give the Rev a great foil to play contemporary blues rock with a heavy bottom. He digs in vocally and with a pounding bass/drum anchor and full organ revival, he really rocks this track. Lightnin' Hopkins' Death Bells has super, scatter guitar acoustic accompaniment giving it an authentic Delta feel and his vocals are nicely adapted to the style. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Fenton Robinson's (Peppermint Harris') As The Years Go Passing By has a vintage 60's sound featuring soulful vocals by the Rev and some really flamboyant blues riffs to top it off. Solid closer for a real nice release.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Origin Records artist: James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note, by James Moody and it's super. Opening with Benny's From Heaven, featuring James Moody on vocal and ripping some terrific sax leading the way. David Hazeltine on piano sets the pace with excellent rhythm, joined by Todd Coolman on bass who crafts a really nice solo, and Adam Nussbaum who really kicks on drums. Strong opener. Jazz classic, Cherokee is next with Moody leading the way on flute. Not missing a stroke, Moody really has this track jamming with colorful piano by Hazeltine and a driving bass line by Coolman. Hazeltine gets his turn on the throttle and keeps the pedal down before handing off to Nussbaum on drums for an excellent rendition of this notable theme. Birk's Works has a super groove set by Jon Faddis on muted trumpet. Slide Hampton also joins the set with an excellent trombone solo of his own. Another featured guest, Paquito D' Rivera really runs the keys on clarinet with a soulful solo before handing it to Moody for a rich tenor sax solo of his own. Hazeltine is a bit more "heady" with great finesse and dynamics, crowned with brass accents before handing off to Coolman who presents another classic bass solo before closing out the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mary Lou Williams' OW featuring Cedar Walton on piano. With a basis of Lets Fall In Love set by Walton the track takes on real wings. Hampton on trombone blows a great solo followed by a mesmerizing trumpet solo by Jon Faddis. Randy Brecker steps up and rips another strong trumpet solo followed by D' Rivera on clarinet before the rich, soulful sound of Moody on tenor takes the hall. This is a terrific track and a strong closer for an excellent release.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Dealers Choice Records artist: Early Times & The High Rollers - Fallen Angels - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fallen Angels, by Early Times & The High Rollers and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Walk Out On Me, Early Times on lead vocal, organ, guitar and percussion leads the way on this cool track with a distinct, early British blues sound. Joined by Jeremy Portwood on drums and Conrad Korsch on bass, this is a cool opener. Pop rocker, Bedroom Eyes, has a solid melody giving Early clear way to show his vocal styling and a great avenue to stretch on guitar as well. Solid. Slow ballad, Abandoned Child is one of my favorite tracks on the release with soulful vocals by Early who accompanies himself on organ and arpeggiated guitar, joined by Portwood and Korsch. Chriscell Eminizer on sax and Tim Ouimette on trumpet and flugelhorn really gives the track an authentic 60's sound. Another track with a real retro sound is Bad Things. A strong 60's rhythm and snare slap with Early on vocals and organ really sells it. This track really works with this formula being capitalized on by punk rockers as well. Wrapping the release is power rocker, Until The World Burns Down with it's straight forward rock beat reinforced by Eminizer and Ouimette. Portwood really holds everything together with his straight on drum attack and Early's vocals are tops. Fun finisher.

Friday, July 18, 2025

OA2 Records artist: Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective - Identity - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Identity, by Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective and it's quite good. Opening with Emperor's Stride, featuring band leader and trombonist, Peter Lin (trombone), Erena Terakubo (sax) and Mike Bond (piano) on this Asian flavored opening, you get only a taste of what's to come. The track explodes with energy starting with Lin and Brandon Choi on trumpet laying down a melody, Daseul Kim on bass and Wen-Ting Wu on drums feeding the fire. Bond on piano takes the first solo and really winds it up. Terakubo on sax holds nothing back ripping a great solo and Lin shows a no prisoners attack on trombone really smoking the slide. Powerful opener. A Town With An Ocean View is an unexpected surprise with a beautiful melody played by Choi on piano, paired with Terakubo on flute. Bond takes the first solo and plays another lush solo that literally floats on air, guarded by a super bass line by Kim and Wu. Choi steps back up with another crisp, flowing trumpet solo over a dancing piano rhythm. Very nice. Wu opens with a splash on Magpie's New Year's Day fueling an aggressive solos by Terakubo, Bond and Wu. Super! Tank! is a driving track with Wu, Terakubo and Choi setting up the track. A real nice sax solo by Terakubo, followed by a beefy trombone solo by Lin, and a nicely constructed trumpet solo by Choi gives the track great traction. Bond falls in behind the brass delivering a lush solo of his own on piano circling back to a nicely interwoven fabric by the band, capped off by Wu on drums. Wrapping the release is ballad, Beo Dat May Troi, sung by My Tam Huynh, swaddled in piano and brass. Very nice closer.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

MoMojo Records artist: Brandon Santini - Which Way Do We Go? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Which Way Do We Go?, from Brandon Santini and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with laid back, title track, Which Way Do We Go?, Brandon Santini on vocal and harmonica sets a soulful table with just a touch of country with Timo Arthur on electric guitar, Jeff Jensen on guitar, Cliff Moore on bass, Ron James on drums and Jesse James Davis on backing vocals. A well rounded track with a solid melody, this is a cool radio track. Rocker, See That Pony, has a cool, stripped down feel with heavy snare driven drum work by James and cool rhythm guitar by Arthur. Santini alternates vocal and harmonica melody but his solo harmonica solo is serious business. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Do What Comes Naturally with it's driving guitar/bass/drum rhythm and grinding vocals. Arthur's guitar solo is just right for this primitive rocker giving it just the right amount of fuel. High energy rocker, Working On A Mystery, really gets going with Jensen adding some great rhythm, Jesse James some great backing vocals and Santini's hottest harmonica on the release. Blues vamp on acoustic guitar and distorted power chord overlay by Arthur on Blues So Bad, gives this track an earthy feel giving Santini on vocal and harmonica a dark shadow to sing in, supported by Moore and James. Quite cool. Wrapping the release is springy, She Got The Way, with Santini on gravely vocals and a cool bluesy harmonica vamp and solo over Arthurs rhythm work. He breaks loose with a real nice guitar solo giving the track just the right amount of sting making it a solid closer.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Origin Records artist: Dawn Clement - Delight - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Delight, by Dawn Clement and I really like it. Opening with Outstretch, Dawn Clement opens her latest with an original track, Outstretch, and a driving piano vamp. Reinforced by the excellent bass work of Buster Williams and aggressive drumming of Matt Wilson. Playing a lower vamp on piano against a brilliant upper register soloing is brilliant. Excellent opener. Elvis Costello's Someone Took The Words is really a nice composition and I don't think that he gets nearly the appreciation he deserves. Clements handles the vocals on this track with clarity and elegant phrasing. If I had never heard the track, I would know it was Costello because of her thoughtful arrangement. Her precise piano work, accenting her vocal phrasing and the addition of Wilson on drums is just right making this a beautiful contribution to the set. Williams' Tokudo is a solid contribution with a great bop. Lightly dancing on the keyboard, Clement gives the track wings and Williams gets a bass solo which really works well with the track. Julian Priester's Elmer's Holiday is a super track for the set with it's jagged bop beat. Williams and Wilson set the undercarriage and Clement really takes the piano for a ride. Particularly nice piano showcase for Clement. Wrapping the release is another Clement composition, Forgive Me. A solid radio ballad featuring Clement on vocal and piano with light backing and nice melodic backing vocals. Solid closer for a really strong release.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Blues House Productions artist: John Primer - Grown In Mississippi - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Grown In Mississippi, by John Primer and it's deep rooted blues, Delta style. Opening with John's Blues Holler, an authentic style acapella track replicating the sounds that Primer heard by field workers in his youth. Rolling into Born In Mississippi with Primer showing his slick finger work and his warm vocals on acoustic guitar. Fluid, precise and solid. Very nice. Willie Dixon's Down In The Bottom features Primer guitar and vocal and Watermelon Slim on slide dobro, and backed by Billy Earheart on piano. Very nice. Bobby Rush joins on Nothin' But A Chicken Wing adding some nice harp work to this funky blues track featuring Primer on lead vocal and guitar, Harvell Thomas Jr on bass and Quicksand Martin on drums. This track is stripped down and moving. Another track with a cool funk is When I Met The Blues driven by Lee Williams on drums and featuring Lightnin' Malcolm on guitar and Primer on guitar and vocal. Charlie Musselwhite has a great showcase of his masterful harp playing on Sonny Boy Williamson's, Baby Please Don't Go working very nicely with Primer on lead guitar and vocal. One of my favorites on the release. Slow blues, Let Me Be Your Electrician, features Steve Bell Harrington on harmonica, Watermelon Slim on dobro and Primer on guitar and vocal really digging in setting up one of Primer's best solos on the release. Tight, Chicago blues, I Ain't Kickin' Up No Dust features Primer on vocal and real nice slide guitar, Deak Harp whipping out a tasty solo on harmonica, Quicksand Martin on drums and Thomas Jr on bass adding yet another texture to this already flavorful set. Wrapping the release is John's Crawdad Song, a simple take on a traditional song with Primer on vocal and guitar and Gary Vincent on bass. Solid closer for a cool release.

Monday, July 14, 2025

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.

Friday, July 11, 2025

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.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Origin Records artist: David Weiss Sextet - Auteur - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Auteur, by David Weiss Sextet and it's quite good. Opening with original composition, Too Little Too Late, David Weiss on trumpet is hot on the street with his trumpet blazing, paired with Myron Walden on alto and one of my favorite new comers, Nicole Glover on tenor sax, David Bryant on piano, Eric Wheeler on bass and E.J. Strickland on drums. Walden takes the first lead with some excellent points and Weiss punches in taking the track even higher with strong accents by Bryant on piano, followed by Glover on tenor and a well structured solo by Bryant, anchored by Wheeler and Strickland. Hot starter. The Other Side of the Mountain has an interesting intro building with Weiss and Walden in tandem opening over Wheeler, Strickland and Bryant creating an intricate weave or tones and breaking into a great bop featuring Glover on tenor on first solo followed by Weiss really getting into a great groove driven by the excellent heat by Wheeler and Strickland. Walden takes the track high with reed curling work really driving the intensity, relieved by Bryant on laid back piano. What a groove. Freddie Hubbard's Rebop is out of control with an intro by Walden and Weiss and excellent staggered drumming by Strickland. Setting the melody and quickly breaking into a fat, fat solo Glover. This kid can really play... I mean she finds a groove and just runs. Weiss is really on top of his game on this track driving the track even higher followed by Walden on alto, chased by Bryant, Wheeler and Strickland. Bryant pulls up another fine piano solo before circling back to the finely structured melody. Excellent! Wrapping the release is excellent unrecorded track by Slide Hampton, One For Bu with it's hard driving bop. Bryant gets the first crack at it and really hammers it home with excellent punctuation by Strickland. Glover gets off the leash again ripping away anchored by Bryant then leading to a excellent groove by Weiss. Walden literally flies on alto giving the track even more fuel and giving Strickland a great space to show that he isn't just a counter player but a strong soloist. Regrouping, this gang really really is moving leaving you gasping for air. Really strong.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Ginger St. James - Told Ya - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Told Ya, from Ginger St. James and it's a rock'n blues rockabilly set. Opening with Not Round Here, Ginger St. James really gets things moving with her energetic vocal styling, backed by SnowHeel Slim on guitar and tambourine, Chris Altmann on bass and Cleave Anderson on drums. Solid opener. Bluesy ballad, Lowdown Lonesome Blues is definitely one of my favorites on the release with terrific vocals by St. James and it's hip grinding rhythm..Slim lays in a tasty, "lowfi" guitar solo that really works great with the track. Honky Tonk Hangover has a cool, southern soul feel with sassy vocals by St. James and a cool guitar solo with a twangy sound. Funky, Soul Shack, is another track with that southern soul feel. St. James could easily fill the bill on 60's Atlantic or Capitol records with period correct guitar work by Slim. Wrapping the release is country flavored, Railway Rider with it's classic snare chatter and Slim on the chicken pickin. St. James vocals adapt nicely to this country styling and Altmann on pedal steel ices the cake. Cool release.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Origin Records artist: Nanami Haruta - The Vibe - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Vibe, from Nanami Haruta and it covers a broad spectrum of colors. Opening with Renee Rosnes' Girlie's World, Band leader and trombonist Nanami Haruta and Xavier Davis on piano setup the framework for this waltz tempo track. With Michael Dease on bari sax adding significant warmth to the track and Rodney Whitaker on bass and Ulysses Owens Jr on drums, this is a cool opener. Original track, Toshi features a really nice trombone solo by Haruta with great tone and phrasing with excellent piano accent by Davis and firm underpinnings by Whitaker and Owens. I like the hot drum rhythm under Christian McBride's Sister Rosa with solid piano counterpoint under the trombone harmonizing by Haruta and Dease. Haruta shows her stuff with smart articulation on her solo and Dease adds a great swinging solo of his own (also on trombone) leading into a rich bass solo by Whitaker making this one of my favorites on the release. Beautiful ballad, Heartstrings gives Haruta a wide open lane to allow her trombone sing and that's exactly what she does. Davis works a real nice off tempo piano interlude of his own adding a crisp counterpoint prior to Haruta taking control once again with unwavering richness. Very nice. Woodpecker is a definite bopper with excellent solos by Haruta, Davis, and Dease. Really nice! Wrapping the release is Alex North's movie track classic, Unchained Melody, carried lightly by the guitar work of Chris Minami on guitar and allowing plenty of bandwidth for Haruta to really work the melody on trombone. This track has been played by maybe 500 bands, but possibly none as nicely as this. Excellent closer.