Bman's Blues Report

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Katie Henry - Get Goin'- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Goin', from Katie Henry and it's a solid release of female vocal oriented music with hints of blues, country, pop, rock and soul. Opening with Scott Sharrard's, Love Like Kerosene, Katie Henry opens her latest release with a country flavored rocker on lead vocal and guitar. Joined by George Moye on bass, Matt Kimathi on drums and guitars, Eric Cannavaro on organ and keys, Richard Pappik on percussion and Michael Murauer on guitar, this is a solid radio worthy opener. Ballad, A Doll's Heart, has a strong melody, with firm support by Cannavaro on organ and keys and Kimathi on drums. Bernard Allison's shuffle, Clear Vision is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a really nice melody, lush key solo by Cannavaro, and tight drums by Kimathi. Wake Up Time is likely the top radio candidate on the release with it's sweet, unassuming melody and mellow vocals and forward yet unobtrusive guitar solo. My favorite track on the release is Bernard Allison's Bayou Boogie with it's spicy flavor and melodic guitar lead. Cannavaro really adds a richness with his keyboard solo and percussion by Pappik is the icing on the cake. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a more contemporary ballad arrangement of Willie Johnson's, Nobody's Fault But Mine. This mostly vocal (by Henry) over keyboard track is a solid closer for this release.

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Monday, April 22, 2024

OA2 Records artist: Jun Iida - Evergreen - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Evergreen, from Jun Iida and I like it's upbeat attack. Opening with Gooey Butter Cake a real nice track, Jun Iida on trumpet has the melody, with a adventurous bass line by Jonathan Richards. Josh Nelson on piano lays in a really nice, New Orleans flavored solo complimented heavily by Xavier Le Couturier on drums and Masami Kuroki on guitar follows with a spicy guitar solo of his own making this a really ice opener. Title track, Evergreen is a really solid track and one that should command airplay with Aubrey Johnson singing the melody along with Iida on trumpet. With bright piano work by Nelson, aggressive bass work by Richards, clean melodic soloing by Kuroki on guitar and excellent fusion style drumming by Le Couturier, this is certainly one of my favorites on the release. Love Theme From Spartacus is a really nice track with a floating melody by Iida, strongly supported by Nelson on guitar and sparce bass work by Richards. Wrapping the release is Holding On To Autumn, another Brazilian favored track with melody by Iida and counter melody by Johnson vocally. Interweaving these two themes throughout the track, this is a solid closer.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Nerus Records artist: The Hitman Blues Band - Hey, Can You Guys Play... - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hey, Can you Guys Play..., from The Hitman Blues Band and it's a lot of fun. Opening with Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man, The Hitman Blues Band takes a driving boogie approach. "Hitman" Alexander on lead vocal and guitar leads the way with a droning bass line by Mike Porter, drums by Guy LaFountaine, Mikey Vitale wailing on tenor sax, Kevin Rymer on keys, Nick Clifford on bari sax and Nancy Hampton and Joanne Alexander on backing vocals. Hitman takes his guitar for a ride making this a solid opener. Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen is a real nice cover with Hitman on dobro and vocal. John The Revelator gets a real nice, funky makeover which I think is the best track on the release. The band really meshes and with excellent vocal by Hitman and the addition of electric slide, trumpet by Eric Altarac, Vitale on alto sax, and a key solo by Mike Katzman, very nice. Wrapping the release is JL Hooker's Boom Boom. Hitman takes his vocal town deep and really hits the feel, vamped by his guitar answer and with Porter's romping bass and Jay Sharkey on drums. Rymer on keys adds real nice texture and Hitman rams up his guitar making this a really nice closer.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Desolation Sound - Silver Rain - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Silver Rain, by Desolation Sound and it's cool rocker with strong writing. Opening with a sonic loop of sound, the mood is set almost as a palate cleanser for what is to come. Title track, Silver Rain has a fairly straight up rock format with a tight Bonham like drum opening by Scott Sluis but it's clear pretty quickly that this music is meant to be listened to with plenty of attention to melody and guitar soloing attended to by Daniel DeShon, with Blake Night on guitar and Darvis Taylor on bass. A strong rocker that caught my attention was Find A Way. Sluis on drums and Taylor on bass really control this track giving DeShon just the right amount of space to slip the vocals in. Tight and cool. Miasma Theory scratched my "Pixies" itch and anyone who likes the Pixies is tops in my book. With it's chord driven melody and understated guitar soloing, this track is spot on. Another sonic creation, Cannonade Descends is another experimental type track which is clean and simple. I like it! Wrapping the release Between Us with it's atmospheric background and radio style orientation and melody. DeShon's vocals are solid, backed by acoustic guitar, and mostly bass and drum. This is an interesting release with just enough space to think and solid melodic music.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Mitch Ryder - The Roof Is On Fire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Roof Is On Fire, from Mitch Ryder and it's a great rocker. Opening with Betty's Too Tight, recorded in Berlin in 2020, Mitch Ryder demonstrates without a doubt that his work is still vital. This track hits the gates hard and will have you head banging in no time. Featuring Mitch on lead vocal, Gisbert "Pitti" Piakowski and Heiner Witte on guitar, Manne Pokrandt on bass, Tobias Ridder on drums and Rene Decker on keys, this track will have you breathing hard. Excellent opener. Taking it up about 20 notches on All The Fools It Sees, Ryder really does get your blood flowing on this one with the addition of Decker on harp and Piatkowski really rips a hot guitar solo making this one of my favorites on the release. Ain't Nobody White is another really strong track on the release with potent lyrics and vocals by Ryder, complimented by Witte on slide guitar. The Stones, Heart of Stone is always a pleasure and soulful vocals by Ryder and strong guitar work by Pitti and solid harp work by Decker really gets the crowd up. All The Fools It Sees is a great track featuring Ryder's soulful vocals and a real nice guitar solo by Pitti over a subdued background of keys and drums. Wrapping the release is a 16 plus minute take on The Doors, Soul Kitchen. With Decker on sax and Pitti on guitar, this track gets a subtle start, building slowly to a real boil. Pitti improvises over the melody building a really nice tension and Decker loads in some real nice electric piano before blowing out a real nice sax solo of his own. Ryder revisits the chorus before the band hits the ending. Strong closer for a very strong set.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Quarto Valley Records artist: Texas Scratch - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release from Texas Scratch and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Texas Trio, TS finds a great groove. Featuring Jim Suhler (Thorogood), Buddy Wittington (Mayall) and Vince Converse (Sunset Heights) on guitars, these guys know how to cut a groove. With the drums of Jeff Simon (Thorogood) and Nathaniel Peterson (Savoy Brown) and Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Savoy Brown) on bass, this is a strong opener. Led footed, What The Devil Loves, really has a snarling guitar lead and excellent lead vocal. John Nitzinger's (Texas Jellyroll Blues) Louisiana Cock Fight makes a cool appearance here with blazing guitars and well blended vocals. Thumping drum work by Simon, this track is a solid addition. Do Right By You is a cool, somewhat funky track with rugged lead vocals and some real nice slide by Suhler. Wrapping the release is Showdown, a light jazzy, boogie with fluid guitar runs and driving rhythm guitar. Solid closer for an interesting release.

Friday, April 12, 2024

The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective - Fiesta At Caroga - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fiesta At Caroga, from The Afro - Caribbean Jazz Collective and it's quite cool. Opening with Descarga, Brian Stark on sax, Ben Weisiger on trombone, Eric Devey on trumpet and Jose Guzman on guitar really lay it all out there over a beautiful weave of percussion supplied by Stephen Busath, Sebastian Nassar, and Brian Shank. Ian Stewart sets a hard bass line giving the track a super anchor and his soloing is tight. Excellent opener. Opening with a complex rhythm on El Canaveral, Busath, Nassar and Shank really dig in deep. Stark solos first on sax with rich deep tones, underscored by the bass lines of Stewart and light rhythm by Guzman. Warm blending by Devey, and Weisiger enrich the overall sound and a fluid guitar solo by Guzman really is nicely presented. Wrapping the release is Baile Bailekita with a great rhythm and brass infused melody. Stark on sax rips a few really nice melodic solos, really fueling the excitement and Guzman on guitar fans the flames. Very nice closer.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Little Village artist: JP Soars - Brick By Brick - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 30, 2024), Brick By Brick by JP Soars and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with title track, Brick By Brick, JP Soars on vocal and guitar, hits the road running with a potent melody and a great hook. Chris Peet on drums hits it hard and heavy under signature guitar riffs by Soars, joined by Raul Hernandez on percussion. Solid opener. Keep Good Company is a cool rocker with a a somewhat funky rhythm and radio feel, with Peet on drums and bass, Jeremy Staska on percussion, Bob Taylor on Hammond and Annika Chambers on backing vocals. Little Milton's, That's What Love Will Make You Do, has a cool back beat and Soars double on bass with a hot bass line under his excellent lead guitar work. Terry Hanck really adds some great sax work doubling down on this track. Wrapping the release is Baton Rouge meets Tex Mex on Down by The Water. Soars knows how to articulate it both on vocal and guitar and with the precise drumming of Peet, this is an excellent closer.

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

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Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Canned Heat - Finyl Vinyl - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Finyl Vinyl, from Canned Heat and it's really enjoyable. Opening with a rowdy rocking boogie, One Last Boogie, Canned Heat blows the roof off of this newest release. Featuring Jimmy Vivino on lead vocal and guitar Heat is packing with Dale Spalding ramping it up on harmonica, Fiti De La Parra on drums and Rick Reed on bass. Strong opener. Dave Alvin guests on Blind Owl singing lead and playing guitar. With it's droning bass line by Reed and tight drum line by De La Parra, this is a hot track. Wicked guitar soloing by Alvin and Vivino and solid harmonica by Spalding playing really take this track higher. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Tease Me with it's bluesy feel. Spalding has the mic and does a real nice job on vocal and harmonica. Spalding's up again on A Hot Ole Time but it's the fleet fingered work of Vivino that makes this track in my eyes. Very nice. Slow blues, When You're 69, features Vivino on lead guitar and vocal. This track really lets the guys get down and dirty mixing Vivino's slide and Spalding's harmonica. Hot! Wrapping the release is There Goes That Train, a New Orleans R&B style track with a relentless vamp and giving Spalding a great opportunity to play his blues. Solid closer.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Cleopatra Records artist: The Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back In Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back In Time, by The Hillbilly Moon Explosion and it's a strong blend of retro, country and punk infused rock. Opening with Sometimes Late At Night, Emanuela Hutter on lead vocal and rhythm guitar leads the way in fine style. Duncan James on lead guitar drives the boat with slashing punk like lead and Dick Dale riffs, backed by Oliver Baroni on bass and Sylvain Petite on drums. Solid opener. Knocked Down has a great bass lead with Baroni on lead vocal and James again showing nods to Dale with echo and cool underplayed rockabilly lead. Petite keeps the rhythm with rim shots. Very cool. Moody, A Sudden Ring, is really nice with traces of Hope Sandoval in the vocal and the addition of tremolo guitar work, James mixing in a cool baritone guitar and Baroni adds piano to the mix. Country flavored, Always Just You, is a really nice track with simple vocal lead by Hutter's voice isolated over clean guitar, bass, and drum rhythm, complimented by James on lower octave guitar soloing. Death By My Side is a cool, hopped up, sister to one of the greatest cowboy sings, Ghost Riders. With modern vocals by Baroni and Hutter, backed by Daniel DeLeon, and cool Dale like guitar riffs by James, this is a sure fire track. Wrapping the release is Reno with it's two step rhythm and a nod to Willie and lead vocal by Hutter. This is a very enjoyable release with plenty to hear.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Luther's Blues - New release review - video

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent double release, Luther's Blues, from Bernard Allison and it's a driving blues rocker. Opening with fiery, Hang On, this track oozes blues with it's rocking rhythm section and blues based rock soloing. Excellent opener. With a funky, Johnny Guitar or WW Washington feel, Too Many Women really hangs it out there. with an excellent trombone solo and plucky bass work, this is one of my favorites on the release. Serious, is a bluesy ballad with solid vocals and strong, melodic, lead guitar work and warm backing vocals. Excellent! Opening disc 2 is rocking shuffle, Back Down South with it's excellent bottom. This track will definitely get your head bobbing while Bernard rips an excellent solo. Let's Try It Again is an excellent track with soulful vocals and tight drums and well placed piano work, accenting Allison's vocal. A potent sax solo electrifies the track which is an excellent soulful blues allowing Allison to stretch nicely on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Castle, featuring Allison on vocal, backed by acoustic guitar. This real is a super release with a lot of familiar, yet essential tracks.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Quarto Valley Records: Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream and it's a solid cover of much of Cream's catalog by top name artists. Opening with I Feel Free, Deborah Bonham, John's sister has the lead vocals, backed by Bernie Marsden on guitar, Malcolm Bruce (Jack's son) on piano, Neil Murray on bass and Frank Tontoh on drums. Solid opener. Theme For An Imaginary Western, written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown is fronted by Brown on vocal and backed by Clem Clemson (Humble Pie) and Malcolm Bruce on guitars, John Donaldson on piano, Mo Foster on piano, and Cheryl Alleyne on drums. This is a great track and always one of my favorites with Jacks vocals and played by Leslie West of Mountain. Ginger Baker penned, Sweet Wine, is a standout with Baker on drums Nathan James on vocal, Marsden on guitar, Mo Nazam on guitar, Bruce on bass, Pee Wee Ellis on sax, Henry Lowther on trumpet, and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Take It Back, another Bruce/Brown composition is prime with the illustrious Maggie Bell on lead vocal. Her vocals are as sweet as they were in the 60's and a perfect fit for this track with Marsden and Tony Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Winston Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. One of the classic blues tracks covered by Cream was Howlin Wolf's Sitting On Top Of The World. Here we have a dynamic duo with Bell teamed with Bobby Rush who also plays harmonica, supported by Marsden and Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. Wrapping the release is Born Under A Bad Sign featuring Paul Rogers on vocal. Marsden and Nazam on guitars, Bruce on bass and Moreno Buttinar on drums. This is an interesting release with a solid assemblage of talent.

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Larsen Jazz artist: David Larsen - Cohesion - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cohesion, from David Larsen and it's a complex yet very enjoyable set. Opening with title track, Cohesion, David Larsen on bari sax and Darryl Yokley on tenor sax set up the intro over the tight rhythm of Wayne Smith Jr on drums and Alex Apollo on bass. With Zaccai Curtis on piano, anchors the melody while Apollo sets off on a really nice bass solo before taking the lead himself. Larsen and Yokley crafty rich solos of their own before rejoining in modal form for the refrain. Very solid opener. Movement again sees Yokley and Larsen playing in tandem, with suspended chords and each shows his chops as Smith and Curtis hold the line and Apollo drives the bottom on bass. Hard bop, Fedchock is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's straightforward drive and excellent soloing by Larsen, Yokley and Curtis. Kick back and enjoy. Wrapping the release is El Duelo, reminiscent of the great Shorter/Coltrane compositions. With intense lead by Yokley and Larsen, hot soloing by Apollo and Curtis and tight rhythmic control by Smith, this is an excellent closer.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Flatiron Recordings artist: Leo Lyons and Hundred Seventy Split - Movin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Movin' On, by Leo Lyons Hundred Seventy Split and it's a super blues rocker. Lyons, best known as the bass anchor for legendary Ten Years After band with Alvin Lee. Opening with Walking in the Devil's Shoes, a straight up rocker with blues overtones, Lyons is joined by Joe Gooch on lead guitar and vocal, who stepped up when Lee left TYA in the early 2000's, and Damon Sawyer on drums. Cool shuffle, It's So Easy To Slide really has a great feel with Gooch's vocals floating on the the tight action of Lyons and Sawyer, adding his own crisp guitar riffs between vocals phrases. Excellent! Mad Bad and Dangerous really brings to mind Alvin Lee's Ten Years After with it's high energy, driving bottom and vocals, and rowdy, non stop guitar riffs. Really potent. Easy flowing shuffle, Meet Me at the Bottom, has a really nice feel with the deep feel of Lyons with his walking bass line and Gooch with fluid guitar lead. Very nice. Wrapping the release is romping, Time To Kill, with a driving bass line by Lyons and aggressive rock drum line by Sawyer. Gooch really suits this style band perfectly with his solid vocal presence and relentless guitar lead. I really enjoyed this release.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Rick Vito - Cadillac Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cadillac Man, from Rick Vito, and it very cool. Opening with Love Crazy Baby, a solid shuffle Rick Vito on lead vocal and guitar takes command of the track, backed by Mojo Johnson on drums, and Jim Hoke on sax. Blues rocker, Little Sheba has a cool mix of blues, rock and ethnic overtones, with Steve Marriner on harmonica working nicely together with Vito on guitar and vocal. A tight drum line by Jackson and Vito on bass makes this an ideal radio track. Slow blues, Crying at Midnight, is a real nice track with a super melody showcasing Vito's vocals as well and his Fleetwood Mac guitar influence. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Barbeque'n Baby had a great feel with Vito on slide guitar and vocal. This is a pretty hopping track and surely a favorite. Instrumental. Just Another Day is one of my favorites on the release featuring the lead slide work of Vito, backed by Hoke on sax, Jackson on drums, and Kevin MacKendree on B3. Very nice. Another track with wide radio appeal is You Can't Stop a Guitar (from Playing the Blues). With a romping beat led by Lynn Williams on drums, Vito again lets the slide loose. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Sliding Into Blue with Vito playing melody on slide. This is a really nice track and a strong closer for a solid release.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Shifting Paradigm Records artist: Chris Rottmayer - Being - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Being, from Chris Rottmayer, and it's a cool set of modern jazz. Opening with On The Street Where Woody Lives, Chris Rottmayer on piano paired with Matt Endres on drums and Rufus Reid really set a nice atmosphere. Russ Johnson on trumpet takes the first leg and really sets a nice stage on trumpet followed by Rottmayer who stretches nicely on piano. Strong opener. Pigalle has a quiet nature with a warm bass line by Reid and ethereal trumpet work by Johnson, floating on the piano weave created by Rottmayer. Reid stretches on bass, really setting down a warm melody with only a light structure of piano and drums. Rottmayer elaborates on the structure set by Reid, creating a very nice overall atmosphere. Song of Modes in 3, has a nice flow and with a tight bottom by Endres and Reid. Johnson on trumpet sets the melodic structure which is really nice and Rottmayer on piano takes it for a really nice run on piano. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Rue des Lombards with it's driving bass line and Johnson laying down some great bop melody. Rottmayer really takes this track for a ride with excellent piano improv, and Endres kicks in a tight drums solo of his own making this my favorite track on the release and an excellent closer.