Bman's Blues Report

Rafael Greco —the legendary Venezuelan saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and long-time creative engine behind Guaco —is finally stepping completely out of the big-band shadow to do exactly what he wants. On his new album, Verses Under My Shadow , he skips the predictable jazz tropes to build something way cooler: a hypnotic, avant-garde sandbox where Central African polyrhythms , vocal loops , and literary vibes collide, backed by heavy hitters like Dave Weckl and Jimmy Haslip . It’s an ambitious, deeply personal masterclass in groove and texture, and it sets the perfect stage for the sonic trip we're about to dive into.   🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM   Add this Record to Your Collection Available in Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. The Deep Dive Verses Under My Shadow is a solid entry into modern fusion that shows what happens when Rafael Greco is left to m...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Snapshots From The Second Floor , by The B. Christopher Band and is a hot one. Opening with jumping blues instrumental, All Twisted Up , B. Christopher and Studebaker John on harmonica really get your heart pumping from the very start. With Anton Fig on drums and Nick Douglas on bass, this track is terrific. The sauntering bass line by Douglas on Sugar Baby sets a terrific path for Christopher's melodic guitar lead. Very nice. take It Home has a driving boogie rhythm courtesy Douglas and Fig giving a clear runway for Studebaker and Christopher to take off. With it's Latin overtone, Who You Gonna Turn To Now really moves. Featuring Ellard James "Moose" Boles on lead vocal and some really nice slide work by Christopher this track is a solid add to the set. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Late Night Crying , has traditional blues roots with a firm bass line by Eric Collier and strong lead vocals ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation , by Dennis Johnson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down , Johnson on slide and vocal, adds a little bounce to the track for a straight up rocker. With Anton Fig on drums, Jonathan Stoyanoff on bass, Bob Fridzema on piano, this is a cool opener. On title track, Revelation , Johnson plays a fluid soulful melody on slide, backed by Stoyanoff and Fig with the warm B3 work by Fridzema as a solid cushion. Very nice. On Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues , Dennis Johnson gets a bit of rockabilly beat on rhythm, tightened up by Fig and with a combination of his vocal and slide emphasis, this track is a driving rocker. Big Joe Williams' Baby, Please Don't Go is up next with just a bit of backbeat allowing Johnson to really work the track over with his slide. This is definitely one of my favorite covers of this track in recent years. On another Robert Johnson track, Ramblin'...

Been waiting a while for the opportunity to review this utterly spectacular release. Yes, I know it's been out for some time, but it's terrific and under appreciated. Opening with Twisted Blues , Noy is joined by a who's crew of unbelievable musicians. Oz plays a tele on this first outrageous funky track and is joined by Jeff Beck pal Vinnie Colaluta on drums, Will Lee on Bass, Jerry Z on Organ and John Medeski on organ. This is such a great groove and features spectacular bass, drums and guitar work difficult to describe. On O h Really , Noy and gang is joined by Alan Toussaint for a little twist of New Orleans. Maintaining incredible musicianship, the band takes you on an incredible trip through the quarter like you've never seen. Noy is relentless on guitar and Colaluta punctuates the day like only he can. Touyssaint plays a really nice classic piano solo snugged up to these musical madmen. Unbelievable! You Are The State has a different line up and a different fe...