Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mojo , from Al Corte' and it's a cool soul & R&B release. Opening with title track, Mojo , lead singer Al Corte' sets the stage for this cool track with a solid melody and nice vocals. Featuring Leroy Hodges on bass, Rev. Charles Hodges Sr. on B3 and Steve Potts on drums, this track hums with a strong guitar solo by Michael Toles and backing vocals by Candice Rayburn, Sharisse Norman and Stefanie Bolton. Also contributing throughout the release are Jim Spake on tenor sax, Kirk Smothers on bari sax, Lannie McMillan Jr. on tenor sax, Marc Franklin on trumpet and flugelhorn. I'll Never Lose My Love For The Blues features a cool slide riffs by Brad Webb and a strong bottom end. Very cool. John Nemeth's harp contributions to Juke Joint Jive add a crisp edge to this soulful stepper and I particularly like the Hammond work by Hodges and the soulful work by Smothers on the bottom. Soul tune, Bless...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Seasoned Soul , from Al Corte' . Opening with Little Milton's That's What Love Will Make You Do , Corte' serves up a full plate of traditional funky soul. On Freddie King's, I'm Tore Down , and sticking pretty close to the original arrangement, Corte' is joined by Jerry Bone on guitar, Lennon Bone on drums and Ron Miller on keys. I particularly like Bone's bass line on Albert King's Oh Pretty Woman . Otis Rush's, All Your Love , gets a light Spanish flavoring showcasing some of Corte's finest vocals. On classic, Unchain My Heart , Corte's vocals are solid with nice vocal backing by Sarah Jo Roark. On Otis Reddings' Any Ole Way , Corte's vocals are smooth as silk breathing real southern fried R&B. James Brown's Cold Sweat gets a total remake with a rolling swing. Jerry Bone plays some of his best riffs with snappy bottom work by Lennon. A cool release that i...